Angelique Davis

What is the problem/topic?

Period 4

Alternative Energy
and Environmental
Impact

Natural resources can bring

problems too; despite the
connation it gives off as clean.
There are six ways to make
energy safely and efficiently for
use. These include Solar Power,
Wind Power, Geothermal Energy,
Biomass, Hydroelectric Power,
and Hydrokinetic Energy, also
including Fossil Fuels. Each one
are made differently and require
different resources to do that.
The majority of these alternative
energies have positive impacts
on the environment; some also
give off negative impacts.
Whether from land usage, water
usage, personal health impacts,
and
how it impacts the
globe
in general.

Some alternative energies

impact the earth and people in
positive and negative ways. For
example, UCSUSA gives
information on Wind Power. Wind
power is one of the cleanest
most and sustainable way of
natural energy. It doesnt take up
as much land space, using only
about 5 to 10 rotor diameters
apart. Wildlife and water are
used affected very minimally
while making wind power. But,
solar power and geothermal
energy have somewhat have a
negative impact on the earth,
and personal health to people,
despite it being naturally
made. Solar Power can take up
large amounts of land space;
hazardous chemicals are also
used to develop PV cells for solar
panels, affecting the workers
health that processes them. On
the other hand, geothermal
energy can cause massive
earthquakes (Marthius,2013)
.Geothermal plants can use up
to 1700 to 4000 gallons of water
per megawatt hour power. This
means that wind power is not a
direct threat to the global
environment, solar and

geothermal may be in some

cases.
In addition, According to another
source, biomass can leave
combustions of ash from waste
burning. Large amounts of
carbon dioxide are emitted from
electricity generation, and air
pollution can occur. (Canada.ca,
2010). Thus, the combined
evidence provides us with a
better understanding of how
although alternative energy is
natural, the way they are
processed are affecting the earth
in negative ways.
What is the problem/topic?
Some alternative energies
impact the earth and people in
positive and negative ways. For
example, UCSUSA gives
information on Wind Power. Wind
power is one of the cleanest
most and sustainable way of
natural energy. It doesnt take up
as much land space, using only
about 5 to 10 rotor diameters
apart. Wildlife and water are
used affected very minimally
while making wind power. But,
solar power and geothermal
energy have somewhat have a

negative impact on the earth,

and personal health to people,
despite it being naturally
made. Solar Power can take up
large amounts of land space;
hazardous chemicals are also
used to develop PV cells for solar
panels, affecting the workers
health that processes them. On
the other hand, geothermal
energy uses water to operate,
using mass amounts of water.
Geothermal plants can use up to
1700 to 4000 gallons of water
per megawatt hour. This means
that wind power is not a direct
threat to the global environment,
solar and geothermal may be in
some cases.

The causing issue is that

renewable energies are in big
ways affecting the environment.
Because of the usage of
materials and processing these
natural gases and electricitys,
cause environmental issues.
Although, these natural
powerings are natural and
safe sometimes they aren't if
not controlled and used properly.
What are the impacts to the
environment?

In addition, According to another

source, biomass can leave
combustions of ash from waste
burning. Large amounts of
carbon dioxide are emitted from
electricity generation, air
pollution can occur (Canada.ca,
2010). Thus, the combined
evidence provides us with a
better understanding of how
although alternative energy is
natural, the way they are
processed are affecting the earth
in negative ways.
What is causing the issue?

Wind, Geothermal, Solar, and

Biomass affect the environment
the most. Water is used not
sparingly, harsh chemicals are
used, and air pollution occurs.
Also, land usage happens with
solar power, because of the
space solar panels and their
manufacturing. The making of
photovoltaic cells, can carry
contaminants that may get into
the drinking water supply.
Therefore, water contamination
can affect people's health.
Renewable According to the NRC
roughly 20,000 to 40,000 birds
were killed because of wind
turbines (NRC, 2003). Although
these numbers are smaller

compared to other problems

such as birds and building
collisions, high tension lines
etc this problem still
contributes a significant amount
of bird deaths, on specific birds
What are the impacts to global
or local communities?
In local communities, around the
United States, there are many
complaints from different things.
Wind turbines are one. People
who live close to these wind
turbines complain about the
noise that they make.
Therefore, there are plans being
made to fix the machinery and
works of the turbines. According
to UCSUSA, these changes are
being made slowly but surely.

solar panels are moved to brown

lands, and industrially used land
to preserve healthy land and to
leave undisturbed. Also, the U.S
requires solar power workers
follow specific laws in order to
not be contaminated by the
chemicals that are handled,
during the job. Hydroelectric
powers are used more in deeper
areas for more water to be held
in smaller places, instead of
using massive areas for water
space. These laws are changing
the way renewable energy

What are the impacts to

personal health?

Manufacturings are done. Also,

using lands that are not
occupied by wildlife is a better
way to conserve it.

Different health issues can occur

during renewable energy jobs.
For example, asthma, bronchitis

What are new solutions?

There are several solutions for

these problems. For land usage,

The renewable energy industries

are working towards facilities for
these energies, to balance out

the wildlife and land

preservations.

In addition, utility companies are

being required to obtain a
balance on electricity that is
being used from sources.

References
Anderson, J. (n.d.). Info graphic: Water Used by Power Plants. Retrieved
January 23, 2016, from
http://breakingenergy.com/2014/03/24/infographic-water-used-bypower-plants/
Canada.ca. (2010, September 17). Renewable Energy. Retrieved
January 22, 2016, from
https://www.ec.gc.ca/energieenergy/default.asp?
lang=En&n=F62D29CC-1
Land Art Generator Initiative. (2009 ,August 13). Retrieved January 27,
2016, from
http://landartgenerator.org/blagi/archives/127
Land Use for Alternative Energy

Maehlum, M. A. (2013, June 1). Geothermal Energy Pros and Cons.

Retrieved January, from
http://energyinformative.org/geothermal-energy-pros-and-cons/

U. (n.d.). Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies.

Retrieved from
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewableenergy/environmental-impacts-of.html#.VqkQoOgrLcs

U. (February). Wind Power. Retrieved January 17, 2016, from

http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewableenergy/environmental-impacts-wind-power.html#.Vp_Tt-grLcs