Layered Curriculum Lesson Plan Project

1. Some types of energy sources used to make electricity or transportation in North Carolina remain petroleum, coal, nuclear fuel, and natural gas. For example, coal consumption is only shown for direct use by industry, commercial buildings, and residences, not for its contribution to electrical power production. Petroleum and purchased electricity dominate net energy consumption in the state, providing 89% of

energy needs in 2007, with petroleum providing 36% of total energy and electricity contributing 53% (not including generation and transmission losses). Natural gas provides 7% of total use, while direct coal use and renewables, primarily biomass and hydro power, contribute smaller shares.

Solar Energy Pros:

• Solar panels give off no pollution, the only pollution produced as a result of solar panels is the manufacturing of these devices in factories, transportation of the goods, and installation.
• The production of energy from the use of fossil and some renewable fuels (e.g. wind turbines) can be noisy, yet solar energy produces electricity very quietly.
• One of the great pros of solar energy is the ability to harness electricity in remote locations that are not linked to a national grid. A prime example of this is in space, where satellites are powered by high efficiency solar cells.
• The installation of solar panels in remote locations is usually much more cost effective than laying the required high voltage wires.
• Solar energy can be very efficient in a large area of the globe, and new technologies allow for a more efficient energy production on overcast/dull days.
• Solar panels can be installed on top of many rooftops, which eliminates the problem of finding the required space for solar panel placement.
• Another great pro of solar energy is the cost. Although the initial investment of solar cells may be high, once installed, they provide a free source of electricity, which will pay off over the coming years.
• The use of solar energy to produce electricity allows the user to become less dependent on the worlds fossil fuel supplies.

Solar Energy Cons:

• The major con of solar energy is the initial cost of solar cells. Currently, prices of highly efficient solar cells can be above $1000, and some households may need more than one. This makes the initial installation of solar panels very costly.
• Solar energy is only able to generate electricity during daylight hours. This means for around half of each day, solar panels are not producing energy for your home.
• The weather can affect the efficiency of solar cells.
• Pollution can be a con of solar energy, as pollution levels can affect a solar cells efficiency, this would be a major con for businesses or industry wishing to install solar panels in heavily polluted areas, such as cities.

Nuclear Energy Pros:

• Lower carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) released into the atmosphere in power generation.
• Low operating costs (relatively).
• Known, developed technology “ready” for market.
• Large power-generating capacity able to meet industrial and city needs (as opposed to low-power technologies like solar that might meet only local, residential, or office needs but cannot generate power for heavy manufacturing).
• Existing and future nuclear waste can be reduced through waste recycling and reprocessing, similar to Japan and the EU (at added cost).

Nuclear Energy Cons:

• High construction costs due to complex radiation containment systems and procedures.
• High subsidies needed for construction and operation, as well as loan guarantees.
• Subsidies and investment could be spent on other solutions (such as renewable energy systems).
• High-known risks in an accident.
• Unknown risks.
• Long construction time.
• Target for terrorism (as are all centralized power generation sources).
• Waivers are required to limit liability of companies in the event of an accident. (This means that either no one will be responsible for physical, environmental, or health damages in the case of an accident or leakage over time from waste storage, or that the government will ultimately have to cover the cost of any damages.)
• Nuclear is a centralized power source requiring large infrastructure, investment, and coordination where decentralized sources (including solar and wind) can be more efficient, less costly, and more resilient.
• Uranium sources are just as finite as other fuel sources, such as coal, natural gas, etc., and are expensive to mine, refine, and transport, and produce considerable environmental waste (including greenhouse gasses) during all of these processes.
• The majority of known uranium around the world lies under land controlled by tribes or indigenous peoples who don’t support it being mined from the earth.
• The legacy of environmental contamination and health costs for miners and mines has been catastrophic.

Wind Power Pros:

• The creation of wind energy is "clean". Unlike the use of coal or oil, generating energy from the wind doesn't produce pollutants or require any harmful chemicals.
• Wind is free. If you live in a geographical location that receives plenty of wind, it is there for the taking.
• As a renewable resource, wind can never be depleted like other natural, non-renewable resources.
• The electric company may end up owing you. If you generate more electricity than you need from wind power, it can be fed back into the grid and you'll receive credit.
• The cost of producing wind energy has dropped significantly in recent years, and as it gains popularity, it will continue to become more affordable.
• You will recoup the cost of purchasing and installing your wind turbine over a relatively short period of time.
• Wind turbines can provide energy for many homes. You don't necessarily have to own a wind turbine in order to reap the benefits; you can purchase your electricity from a utility company that harnesses wind energy.
• Tax incentives are offered for installing wind turbines on the federal and state levels.
• Land owners who rent land to wind farms can make quite a bit of extra money, and wind energy also creates new jobs in this growing technology field.

Wind Power Cons:

• Wind doesn't always blow consistently, and turbines typically operate at only 30 percent capacity. If the weather is not in your favor, you may end up without electricity (or at least you'll have to rely on the utility company).
• Severe storms or extremely high winds might cause damage to your wind turbine, especially when they are struck by lightning.
• The blades of wind turbines can sometimes be dangerous to wildlife, particularly birds.
• Wind turbines create a sound that averages around 60 decibels, and if you don't have enough space to locate it away from your house it may prove to be a nuisance.
• Some people believe that wind turbines are unattractive, so your neighbors may complain.
• Compliance with city codes and ordinances may be bothersome when you are trying to install a wind turbine. In some cases, height restrictions may prevent you from installing one.
• Wind turbines and other equipment required to create wind energy can be very expensive up front, and depending on where you live, it may be difficult to find a vendor and someone who can maintain the equipment.
• It requires a lot of open land to set up wind turbines, and cutting down trees sort of defeats the green purpose. Desirable areas to install them are often located far from dense urban areas that could benefit the most from their power.
• Wind turbines may interfere with reception for televisions or other equipment.

Pros of Biofuels:

• Renewable – Biofuels are produced from plants and other organic material, so it can be replenished constantly. This is in contrast to the fossil fuels, which are constantly in the process of being depleted.
• Clean – Biofuels are environment-friendly. They are much efficient & cleaner than fossil fuels, producing less air pollution and using materials that would otherwise be considered as waste products. Biofuels cause much less greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to the conventional types of transport fuels.
• Inexpensive – They can be made easily by using local materials. Biofuels are very cheap to afford. They are the cheapest types of fuels available in the world.
• Flexible – can be easily mixed with other fuels.
• Additives – Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel are better for car engines than fossil fuels. Even if not being used as the main fuel source, they can be used as additives to improve performance.
• Carbon neutral – the amount of carbon dioxide created by the burning of biofuels is equal to the CO2 absorption capacity of the plants. Hence, no extra CO2 remains in the atmosphere.

Cons of Biofuels:

• Food vs. Biofuels – with the increased use of biofuels there will be an urge to grow more of the crops meant for biofuel production instead of food crops. A reduced food production can increase the price which may lead to inflation.
• Loss of habitat – More land would be required to be cultivated for Biofuel production. This is already considered a major problem, as it may result in a loss of habitat for various species of plants and animals.
• Harmful Nitrous oxide production – Although there is not enough carbon dioxide emission that would cause the greenhouse effect, yet the burning of materials to produce biofuels emits enough nitrous oxide to create a greenhouse effect.
• Limitations in its use in vehicles – Some kinds of biofuels require modifications to vehicle engines and they are still being used as additives rather than a fossil fuel replacement.
• Ignorance – Biofuels are not widely available and not many people are aware about it.
• Biofuels are still in a nascent stage & needs lot of research & development to make it more popular. Given some of its disadvantages, one of its biggest advantage is that there are chance of it being used as a replacement of fossil fuel which is so fast depleting & is not renewable.

1. Raising oysters is a type of aquaculture practiced in North Carolina.

• The oyster's habitat is built by setting up the site selection, shell procurement, bag filling, and construction.
• The farming of oysters and other shellfish is relatively benign or even restorative environmentally, and holds promise for relieving pressure on land-based protein sources. Restoration of oyster populations are encouraged for the ecosystem services they provide, including water quality maintenance, shoreline protection and sediment stabilization, nutrient cycling and sequestration, and habitat for other organisms
• Oysters are known to mainly feed on planktons since they are bottom dwellers.

• Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) located 306 W Haywood St #200, Asheville, NC 28801.

Specifically, the research explored:

• what food and farm products are currently produced in the region,
• how much of what is produced is also consumed in the region,
• the potential for increasing local consumption of locally-produced food and farm products as a way to strengthen the regional farm economy,
• and where investment of resources or other actions could eliminate barriers currently impeding the purchase of local food.
• In 2003, ASAP launched a multi-year research project to determine how food and other farm products move through the production and distribution system in Western North Carolina.

Third Layer

First Layer

How does the price of food that is sustinably grown compare with the prices of food in the local grocery store?

• Certified organic products are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts (for which prices have been declining) for a number of reasons:
• Production costs for organic foods are typically higher because of greater labor inputs per unit of output
• greater diversity of enterprises means economies of scale cannot be achieved;
• Post-harvest handling of relatively small quantities of organic foods results in higher costs because of the mandatory segregation of organic and conventional produce, especially for processing and transportation;
• Marketing and the distribution chain for organic products is relatively inefficient and costs are higher because of relatively small volumes.

Layered Curriculum Lesson Project

By: Grace Shin

Wind Power

Solar Energy

Traditional Agriculture

Biofuels

Aquaculture with sustainable agriculture

Nuclear Energy

• Aquaculture has resulted in increased fish because of artificial fertilization.

• It has also brought about sustainable fishing. Due to spatial equality, aquaculture can lead to spread of diseases.

BENEFITS:

• Traditional farming grew many different crops per acre, which replenished the soil, and prevented a reliance on one type of 'staple' crop.
• Many people were needed to farm, so there was more people at work.
• The farmers and society in general were not reliant upon synthetically produced planting which was healthier.
• Natural.

LIMITATIONS:

• Traditional farming was more reliant upon rainfall to water the plants, so dought was a common issue.
• The quantity of food produced was less per acre, which, when combined with drought, caused starvation.
• The quality of the food produced was lower than the quality of today.

Aquaculture Techniques

Aquaculture is a complicated topic, as there are many advantages and disadvantages to producing fish in this way. Because the demand for fish has increased over time, relying on fishing alone is unsustainable. Knowing that ocean and freshwater supplies of fish are limited, aquaculture seems to be a good alternative source.That said, there are many disadvantages to aquaculture and there is a heated debate on its merits. Many say that aquaculture is taxing on the environment. There have been instances of fish escaping into local waterways, which can threaten native species. Chemicals and waste from aquaculture can also leach into the environment, causing further damage. Farming fish that are not native to an area can introduce new microorganisms into the local environment as well. Even the slightest imbalance caused by this introduction has the potential for disastrous consequences."

Second Layer

Quiz

Oyster's Production Cycle

1. What is sustainable energy resources?

2. Explain what sustainable agriculture is and construct it into a sentence.

3. What’s so important about sustainable aquaculture?

4. What type of sustainable energy resources does North Carolina contain?

5. Define sustainable aquaculture.

6. What’s so important about sustainable agriculture?

7. List 5 sustainable aquaculture from North Carolina.

8. Give an example of a sustainable energy resource.

9. Write a sentence about sustainable agriculture.

10. What’s so important about sustainable energy resource?