What is meant by the term renewables?
a. the contracts that consumers have with energy companies to deliver the consumers' electricity
b. sources of energy that come directly from nature, such as power from wind and the sun
c. a renewed debate between citizens as to the environmental impact of oil and natural gas
d. nuclear power
e. the continuing damage done to land and water from fracking
Question 2
Which of these is the best assessment of the Faustian bargain with regard to nuclear energy?
a. Nuclear energy is far too expensive to compete with oil and natural gas, even if it makes the United States more energy independent.
b. Renewable energy is less expensive and has fewer risks than nuclear energy.
c. Citizens would have to be willing to pay for expensive construction costs.
d. Concerns about a nuclear disaster and the storage of radioactive waste are so severe that they overbalance the advantages of using nuclear power.
e. All of these are good assessments.
Energy budget for a temperate deciduous forest (data from Gosz et al. 1978).
Basic overview of energy and human life.
Metabolic pathways involved in lipolysis, the breakdown of fats (triglycerides) for energy.
Geothermal Energy schematic
Energy imbalance establishes a temperature gradient between the tropics and the poles
Energy Balance Is Achieved When Energy (Calories) In Equals Energy (Calories) Out