natural gas
Your Questions About Renewable Energy Definition
Robert asks…
What are some difficulties in achieving sustainable development?
Definition: Sustainable development is a pattern of economic growth in which resource use aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come.
Why is it difficult for humans to achieve sustainable development?
And why?
admin answers:
You clearly haven’t bothered thinking about this at all:
– we don’t recycle 100% of all metals, so any metals you use will not be available for future generations to use. So, by your own definition, you can’t use any metals.
– once coal, oil, or natural gas is burned, it can’t be recycled, so any coal, oil, or natural gas you use to make anything, to transport what you make, or to transport the materials will not be available for future generations. So, by your own definition, you can’t use energy that comes from coal, oil, or natural gas.
You can argue that energy comes from the sun, from wind, or from water is O.K., but you still have to build the power plants to use those energy sources and that isn’t O.K.
Etc.
– there are resources that are theoretically renewable, but we are already cutting down trees faster than they grow back, so wood, lumber, etc. May be theoretically sustainable, but in practice, using them is not sustainable.
The bottom line is that we have too many people using any and all resources at far too great a rate to be sustainable, so anything additional you do is by your own definition, not sustainable.
Http://dieoff.org/page110.htm
http://home.windstream.net/bsundquist1/
http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/agriculture-and-food-systems-unsustainable/
Now you can cheat in many ways: change the definition of sustainable so that it becomes feasible; pretend that advancing technology means that in the future people will be able to do anything with whatever they happen to have left over (isn’t magic wonderful?) so it doesn’t matter what we leave for future generations; etc. Or you can admit that sustainable development is an oxymoron and work toward other goals.
Sandy asks…
What is the definition of Visual Pollution and give some examples on how to prevent it…..?
I’ve been looking for a definition of this for hours!
thank you.
admin answers:
As the saying goes, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Visual pollution is going to have different meanings to different people. Most people would agree that excessive billboards are unattractive, but some may see skyscrapers as ‘visual pollution’ (spoiling the once natural landscape), while others may love viewing their architecture. Wind Farms (large areas covered by many wind mills) would be another example of visual pollution to most people. But then we are faced with the question ‘is it worth it for the renewable energy?’
How to prevent it? Stop building. But that’s just my opinion; some people may not like the looks of trees and fields and prefer building and signs.
Here’s some info. From Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_pollution
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Definition
Chris asks…
What is environment-friendly product for you?
Hi guys, it’s a survey that i have to do.
I have few questions for you.
What is environment-friendly product in your own definition?
Are you willing to pay more for “green” products?
Why or why not?
Please also specify your field of study or work and age (if that is ok with you)
Thanks a lot people.
Your help is really appreciated.
admin answers:
I use many environmentally friendly products. Most cost less, but I would pay more. I look at a couple of factors, does it contain suspected harmful chemicals, is it made of natural materials, are the materials aquired in a sustainable fashion and how far did it have to travel to get here. Some items don’t meet this criteria so I consider if I actually need it and will it save energy.
I’m a 40’s mom who has dramatically reduced the number of known and suspected toxins in my cleaning and body care products. I buy organic local food and organic fabrics as much as possible. I have invested in solar and energy saving items and have saved a lot of money in the process.
Nancy asks…
Which of these is a sustainable energy source?
(a) Natural gas
(b) wood
(c) coal
I require the answer for an online competition with prizes. Does anyone know?
admin answers:
It depends on your definition of sustainable. We have limited supply of all of the above…
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Your Questions About Sustainable Energy Definition
Sandy asks…
Why is burning coal not sustainable? Do natural gas and petroleum stack up any better?
Three reasons why coal is not sustainable? And do natural gas and petroleum stack up any better in terms of sustainability?
admin answers:
One reason coal burning is unsustainable from an environmental standpoint is that is finite, and using it will deplete it’s use for future generations. In fact, that is the definition of unsustainable. Another factor is that coal burning releases sulfur, and sulfur dioxide is a component of industrial smog, a noxious fume that kills many people and produces a slew of respiratory diseases. Not to say coal is useless, but its downsides may be particularly pronounced
Each source of energy has its own issues. Natural gas is essentially limitless but is probably hard to capture. Petroleum is also finite and involves drilling. The scales may tip towards natural gas for these reasons
Ruth asks…
What does it take to call a building “green”?
Can you market your building as “green” if it has just a few green features, or does it have to meet certain minimum guidelines? I am thinking about this in the way that the word “organic” is regulated on food labels.
Also – do you think it’s redundant to call something “green” and “sustainable” in the same sentence? I am putting together a sign for my company’s real estate development, and I’m wondering if it is pointless to call the project “a green, sustainable development” or if both words really mean the same thing.
admin answers:
I don’t think there is a green certification, however, there are some things to consider.
Energy star certification.
Green building/ construction methods (hay bale, cob, cordwood, papercreate, adobe, earth shelters… )
Minimizing the use of concrete (pier or rubble trench foundations )
Passive solar design
Solar hotwater
Separate grey water systems
Sustainable certified lumbar
The list goes on and on
The term green is probably the best way to go. You are opening a big can of worms if you use the term sustainable. Sustainable has a real definition. A friend of mine sells “sustainable” clothing, woven with thread from banana leaves. That is not sustainable in and of itself. Scientists have predicted that bananas (the type we eat) will soon face a blight that we can not protect them from, ending its presence in our super markets. Although the thread may be a commendable effort at maximizing a resource that otherwise may have been left unused, bananas in general are not a sustainable resource. Every material in the house would have to be made from a sustainable resource (like wood and hay) and would exculde non sustainable materials like (metal, plastics….). Then again, there is no MARKET definition for sustainable.
If you are interested in charging more money for a “green development” and using expensive things like bamboo flooring, or salvaged lumbar from the bottoms of lakes and rivers, or anything ridiculously expensive and unpractical, then forget everything I said. Just put whatever you want on the sign, spit in thier face, and ask them for $400,000
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