Technologies That Can Destroy the environment

Social Impact of Technology - Nicola Saturno

Pros of nuclear energy★ Is it Renewable?

○ No. Nuclear energy is not renewable resource, because of its operating fuel source of uranium.

○ Uranium is the nuclear fuel that is used to produce energy, it is limited and cannot be produced again and again.

○ However, by developing new systems such as fusion reactors, we are able to produce another element, such as, plutonium.

○ Plutonium is produced by the by-products of the chain-reactions.

○ If engineers and scientists can develop a safe system that is able to

control atomic fusion, the same reactions that fuel the sun, we can have “unlimited energy”.

Pros of nuclear energy★ The nuclear system has been

developed intensively over the years due to it’s efficiency with a fuel source.

★ The amount of fuel required by nuclear power plant is much less than other power plants such as coal.

★ The energy released by nuclear fission is approximately ten million times greater than the amount of energy released by fossil fuel atoms

How it works?

Here is a basic diagram of the components need for a nuclear system, this diagram also helps you understand the function of the components.

Negative implications from nuclear energy★ A large nuclear power plant creates 20 metric tons of

nuclear fuel per year, with that comes nuclear waste.

★ This waste transmits radiation and high temperature, implying that it will inevitably consume any compartment that holds it.

★ It causes damage and health risks to living things around the nuclear power plant

One of Lake Huron's Nuclear storage locations

Nuclear powerIs it worth the change?

Through research I believe Nuclear power is an efficient source on developing energy. However, I do believe storage/use for nuclear waste needs to be further developed so it is not harming the environment and the life around the power plant.

Petroleumand

CRUDE OIL

Pros of Petroleum/Crude oil ★ Oil is abundant within the Earth★ Easy to use, handle and transport★ Oil has created numerous jobs in many industries★ Many technologies have been developed due to its many

uses★ Propelles vehicles for longer and faster than any other

energy source

This picture displays the many things manufactured from crude oil

Cons of CRUDE OIL/PETROLEUM★ Releases approximately 20 pounds per 1 Gallon of Gasoline

of Carbon Dioxide when burned.★ Drilling can lead to spills and environmental hazards★ Endangers species by the pollution of air, and the

destruction of the environment★ Expensive to process and to purchase★ Dangerous; explosive, toxic, poisonous etc. ★ U.S. petroleum consumption averages between 20.5 and 21

million barrels per day★ 1 oil barrel is equal to 159 liters

Oil Spills in the Environment

Crude oil: Energy source or money maker?Crude oil refinement for things such as fuel, like

gasoline, is unnecessary. There are many alternative fuels such as ethanol, which is developed from biomass, plant material. Which are cleaner burning and a more environmentally friendly process.

I think we are still using crude oil based fuels today to compensate for the investments made in oil over the years, and the marketplace it has in the world today. If we are forced to demand oil from the products we use, the supply will keep coming and their wont be a change.

Risks of technology - Humans & the environment★ Risks to humans from

environmental damage through technology include; ○ Inhalation of dangerous

chemicals in air pollution, contamination of water and food sources, and risk of infections and diseases through exposure to toxic wastes.

○ Greenhouse gases affect atmosphere and weather systems, causing global warming and chlorofluorocarbons that deplete the Earth's ozone layer.

★ Technology consumes resources which are not necessarily renewable, ○ Such as; living resources, like

forests and populations of fish, and inanimate resources, such as natural chemicals and minerals

Sources of information➔ Ethanol Fuel Basics. (n.d.). Retrieved July 28, 2016, from http://www.

afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol_fuel_basics.html ➔ Petroleum Energy RRR. (n.d.). Retrieved July 28, 2016, from http:

//palaeolimnologypetroleumrrr.weebly.com/index.html➔ http://www.tampabay.

com/resources/images/dti/rendered/2015/04/oilspill6_15051551_8col.jpg➔ http://cdn.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/AP100603119007-

1024x682.jpg➔ Schulte, B. (n.d.). Oil Spill Spotlights Keystone XL Issue: Is Canadian

Crude Worse? Retrieved July 28, 2016, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/04/130405-arkansas-oil-spill-is-canadian-crude-worse/

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Completed by Nicola Saturno