29 Questions
What is the main concept of environmental sustainability?
Using nonrenewable resources slower than renewable substitutes
What is the most severe indoor pollution source according to the text?
Heating and cooking (fire) without adequate ventilation
Which of the following is mentioned as a source of outdoor air pollution?
Energy generation
What does the term 'flow resource' refer to in the context of water pollution?
Water as a renewable source with a sustainable yield
What contributes to water stress according to the text?
Population growth and energy utilization
What does environmental sustainability aim to achieve in terms of pollution and wastes?
Emitting pollution and wastes no faster than natural systems can absorb or recycle them
What is the relationship between rate of consumption and rate of production in environmental sustainability?
Rate of consumption should be less than rate of production for sustainability
What is meant by 'water stress' according to the text?
Pressure on freshwater resources due to population growth and energy utilization.
What is the primary cause of more than 2 million premature deaths each year according to the text?
Indoor and outdoor air pollution.
How has outdoor air pollution been reduced by many countries according to the text?
By laws regulating emissions.
What are the two main classifications of solar energy?
Thermal and electric
Which type of solar PV cell is commonly used for household applications due to its efficiency?
Monocrystalline silicon
What is the main difference between solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP)?
PV directly converts solar energy into electricity, while CSP uses lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight into a smaller area.
What are the pros of solar energy mentioned in the text?
Renewability, lack of emissions, and reduced fossil fuel consumption
How can solar thermal energy be used for cooling?
Through the use of Li-Br or ammonia solutions
What are the types of solar water heaters mentioned in the text?
Evacuated tube collectors, glazed flat plate collectors, and unglazed flat plate collectors
What is the approximate amount of solar energy received in a plane perpendicular to the rays?
1,377 W/m2
What is the main source of solar energy?
The sun
What environmental issue is caused by climate change according to the text?
Flooding and desertification
For sustainable living, what type of energy sources should be used according to the text?
Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, water, and tidal
What is the ultimate source driving wind energy?
Solar radiation
What percentage of total solar radiation received by Earth is converted to kinetic energy for wind energy?
1%
What is geothermal energy?
Thermal energy stored and generated in the Earth
What is bioenergy derived from?
Renewable, biological sources such as biomass
What percentage of US renewable energy comes from bioenergy derived fuels?
~50%
What has been the most common use of bioenergy growth in the past decade in the US?
Ethanol feedstock
What are homes like Aviator’s Villa and Container Guest House made from?
Recycled airplane parts and eco-friendly waste materials
What is the main purpose of sustainable constructions worldwide mentioned in the text?
To minimize environmental impact and promote recycling
What is 'Parting of the Sea' made of?
Concrete and steel
Study Notes
- Climate change is causing water source issues through flooding and desertification (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- To live sustainably, renewable energy sources should be used, which are not depletable and include wind, solar, water, and tidal (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Solar energy is a renewable energy source that can be used to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling for homes and businesses (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- The sun, a massive star, is the source of solar energy and is about 1.5 x1011 m away from Earth with a diameter of 1.39x109 m and a mass of 2x1030 kg (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Solar energy reaches the Earth's surface as electromagnetic radiation, with about 1,377 W/m2 received in a plane perpendicular to the rays, and about 8.9x1016 W reaching the Earth's surface (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Solar energy can be classified as thermal or electric, with thermal energy used for water heating, and electric energy generated through solar photovoltaics (PV) or concentrated solar power (CSP) (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Solar water heaters, such as evacuated tube collectors, glazed flat plate collectors, and unglazed flat plate collectors, are common ways to use solar energy for water heating (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Solar thermal energy can also be used for cooling through the use of Li-Br or ammonia solutions (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Solar photovoltaics (PV) use semiconductors and the photovoltaic effect to directly convert solar energy into electricity (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and thin film amorphous-silicon are the three types of solar PV cells, with monocrystalline cells being the most efficient and commonly used for household applications (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight into a smaller area, which is then used to generate electricity through the use of a heat engine (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Solar PV cells are safer than CSP systems as they do not produce high temperatures or require a power plant (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
- Pros of solar energy include its renewability, lack of emissions, and reduced fossil fuel consumption, while cons include its dependence on sunlight and weather trends (FARAH M. AL-DUWEESH)
Test your knowledge and understanding of environmental sustainability with this quiz. Explore the concept of sustainability, nonrenewable resources, and renewable substitutes to make our environment more sustainable.
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