science

1. WAYS TO ADDRESS THE DIFFERENT
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS RELATED TO THE
USE OF FOSSIL FUELS, GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
AND HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY.

2. CLIMATE,
ENVIRONMENTAL, AND
HEALTH IMPACTS OF
FOSSIL FUELS

3. The use of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and
natural gas—results in significant
climate, environmental, and health costs
that are not reflected in market prices.
These costs are known as EXTERNALITIES.
Each stage of the fossil fuel supply
chain, from extraction and
transportation to refining and burning,
generates externalities.

4. PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:
WHEN FOSSIL FUELS ARE BURNED, THEY
EMIT GREENHOUSE GASES LIKE CARBON
DIOXIDE THAT TRAP HEAT IN THE EARTH’S
ATMOSPHERE AND CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE
CHANGE.

5. SOME OF THE
CLIMATE
EXTERNALITIES
OF FOSSIL FUELS
INCLUDE:

6. AT LEAST A QUARTER OF THE CARBON
DIOXIDE EMITTED FROM FOSSIL FUELS IS
ABSORBED BY THE OCEAN, CHANGING ITS
CHEMISTRY (PH). THE INCREASED ACIDITY
MAKES IT HARDER FOR MARINE ORGANISMS
TO BUILD SHELLS AND CORAL SKELETONS.
OVER THE LAST 150 YEARS, OCEAN ACIDITY
HAS INCREASED BY 30 PERCENT, POSING
THREATS TO CORAL REEFS, FISHING,
TOURISM, AND THE ECONOMY.
Ocean acidification:

7. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, CLIMATE
CHANGE, BROUGHT UPON BY BURNING FOSSIL
FUELS, IS CONTRIBUTING TO MORE FREQUENT
AND SEVERE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS THAT
LEAD TO DISASTERS COSTING AT LEAST A
BILLION DOLLARS EACH. THE COST OF
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, INCLUDING
WILDFIRES, HURRICANES, WIND STORMS,
FLOODING, AND DROUGHTS, BETWEEN 2016
AND 2020 IN THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN
ESTIMATED AT $606.9 BILLION.
Extreme weather:

8. WILDFIRE
HURRICANES
WIND STORMS

9. OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
WARMING DUE TO CLIMATE
CHANGE IS MELTING GLACIERS
AND LAND-BASED ICE SHEETS,
RESULTING IN GLOBAL SEA LEVEL
RISE. SEA LEVELS HAVE RISEN
ABOUT 9 INCHES SINCE THE LATE
1800S, CAUSING MORE FREQUENT
FLOODING, DESTRUCTIVE STORM
SURGES, AND SALTWATER
INTRUSION.
Sea level rise:

10. MELTING GLACIERS
STORM SURGES

12. ENVIRONMENTAL
EXTERNALITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNALITIES ARE THOSE IN
WHICH THE EFFECT OF AN ACTION ON OTHERS IS
MEDIATED BY THE ENVIRONMENT. ARE ALSO THE
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES ON NATURE AND
BIODIVERSITY THAT RESULT FROM HUMAN ACTIVITY.

13. FOSSIL FUELS PRODUCE HAZARDOUS AIR
POLLUTANTS, INCLUDING SULFUR DIOXIDE,
NITROGEN OXIDES, PARTICULATE MATTER,
CARBON MONOXIDE, AND MERCURY, ALL OF
WHICH ARE HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT
AND HUMAN HEALTH. AIR POLLUTION FROM
FOSSIL FUELS CAN CAUSE ACID RAIN,
EUTROPHICATION (EXCESSIVE NUTRIENTS
THAT CAN HARM AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS BY
LOWERING OXYGEN LEVELS), DAMAGE TO
CROPS AND FORESTS, AND HARM TO WILDLIFE.
Air pollution:

16. FROM OIL SPILLS TO FRACKING FLUIDS,
FOSSIL FUELS CAUSE WATER POLLUTION.
EACH FRACKING WELL USES BETWEEN 1.5
MILLION TO 16 MILLION GALLONS OF
WATER, AND THE RESULTING WASTEWATER
CAN BE TOXIC, OFTEN CONTAINING
SUBSTANCES LIKE ARSENIC, LEAD,
CHLORINE, AND MERCURY THAT CAN
CONTAMINATE GROUNDWATER AND
DRINKING WATER.
Water pollution:

17. OVER 99 PERCENT OF PLASTICS ARE
MADE FROM FOSSIL FUELS.
GLOBALLY, 300 MILLION TONS OF
PLASTIC WASTE ARE PRODUCED
EACH YEAR, 14 MILLION TONS OF
WHICH END UP IN THE OCEAN,
KILLING WILDLIFE AND
POLLUTING THE FOOD CHAIN.
Plastic pollution:

18. FOSSIL FUEL EXTRACTION, TRANSPORTATION, AND
REFINING CAN LEAD TO OIL SPILLS THAT HARM
COMMUNITIES AND WILDLIFE, DESTROY HABITATS,
ERODE SHORELINES, AND RESULT IN BEACH, PARK, AND
FISHERY CLOSURES. THE LARGEST OIL SPILL IN
HISTORY, THE 2010 BP DEEPWATER HORIZON SPILL,
RELEASED 134 MILLION GALLONS OF OIL INTO THE
GULF OF MEXICO, KILLING 11 PEOPLE AND COUNTLESS
BIRDS, TURTLES, FISH, MARINE MAMMALS, AND PLANTS
—AND COST BP $65 BILLION IN PENALTIES AND
CLEANUP COSTS.
Oil spills:

19. THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO ADDRESS THE
DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
RELATED TO THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS. ONE
APPROACH IS TO PROMOTE AND INVEST IN
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES SUCH AS
SOLAR POWER, WIND ENERGY, AND
HYDROPOWER. BY TRANSITIONING TO THESE
CLEANER ENERGY SOURCES, WE CAN REDUCE
OUR RELIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS AND
DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

20. ANOTHER WAY TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCERNS IS THROUGH ENERGY
CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY. THIS
INVOLVES IMPLEMENTING ENERGY-SAVING
PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES IN
INDUSTRIES, TRANSPORTATION, AND
BUILDINGS. BY USING ENERGY MORE
EFFICIENTLY, WE CAN REDUCE THE DEMAND
FOR FOSSIL FUELS AND MINIMIZE THEIR
NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

21. ADDITIONALLY, IMPLEMENTING GOVERNMENT
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS THAT
ENCOURAGE THE REDUCTION OF FOSSIL FUEL
USAGE CAN ALSO HELP ADDRESS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. THESE POLICIES
CAN INCLUDE CARBON PRICING, EMISSIONS
STANDARDS, AND INCENTIVES FOR
RENEWABLE ENERGY ADOPTION. BY CREATING
A SUPPORTIVE FRAMEWORK, WE CAN
ACCELERATE THE TRANSITION TOWARDS
CLEANER ENERGY ALTERNATIVES.

22. LASTLY, RAISING AWARENESS AND
PROMOTING EDUCATION ABOUT THE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF FOSSIL FUELS IS
CRUCIAL. BY EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS AND
COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PRACTICES, WE CAN
FOSTER A CULTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY AND INSPIRE ACTION
TOWARDS A GREENER FUTURE.

23. ADDRESSING
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCERNS RELATED TO THE
USE OF GEOTHERMAL
ENERGY

24. Geothermal energy is a
renewable energy source that
harnesses the Earth's natural
heat to generate electricity and
provide heating and cooling
solutions.

25. While geothermal energy has numerous
benefits, it is important to address the
potential environmental concerns
associated with its use. This report will
explore various ways to mitigate these
concerns and promote sustainable
practices in geothermal energy
production.

26. 1.
Minimizing
Land
Disruption:

27. One of the primary environmental
concerns related to geothermal energy is
land disruption caused by drilling and
infrastructure development. To address
this concern, it is crucial to prioritize the
use of existing infrastructure and explore
innovative drilling techniques that
minimize land disturbance.

28. Additionally, conducting
thorough environmental
impact assessments before
project development can help
identify potential sensitive
areas and design mitigation
measures accordingly.

29. 2.
Managing
Water
Usage:

30. Geothermal power plants require water
for the extraction and cooling processes,
which can lead to the depletion of local
water sources. To address this concern,
implementing water conservation
measures such as closed-loop systems
and utilizing wastewater or brackish
water for cooling can significantly reduce
freshwater usage.

31. CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM

33. Additionally, promoting water
recycling and implementing
monitoring systems to ensure
sustainable water
management are necessary
steps.

34. 3.
Mitigating
Greenhouse
Gas Emissions:

35. While geothermal energy
itself is a clean and low-
emission energy source, the
drilling and construction
processes can release
greenhouse gases.

36. To address this concern, adopting
best practices like using low-
emission drilling fluids,
implementing proper well sealing
techniques, and regular
monitoring of emissions can help
minimize greenhouse gas releases.

37. Furthermore,
exploring carbon
capture and storage
technologies can
provide additional
benefits in reducing
emissions.

38. 4.
Protecting
Geothermal
Fluids and
Chemicals:

39. Geothermal energy extraction
involves the use of fluids and
chemicals that can be harmful if
not handled properly. It is essential
to implement strict regulations and
procedures for the management
and disposal of geothermal fluids
and chemicals.

40. This includes proper
storage, transportation,
and treatment methods
to prevent
contamination of
groundwater and
surface water sources.

41. 5.
Engaging
Stakeholders
and Local
Communities:

42. To ensure the sustainable development
of geothermal energy, it is crucial to
involve and engage stakeholders and
local communities in decision-making
processes. This can be achieved
through public consultations,
transparent communication, and
providing opportunities for community
participation.

43. By addressing concerns,
sharing benefits, and
incorporating local
knowledge, projects can
gain social acceptance
and support.

44. Addressing environmental concerns related to
the use of geothermal energy requires a
comprehensive approach that focuses on
minimizing land disruption, managing water
usage, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions,
protecting geothermal fluids and chemicals,
and engaging stakeholders. By implementing
sustainable practices, regulations, and
involving local communities, geothermal energy
can be harnessed in an environmentally
responsible and socially acceptable manner.

45. ADDRESSING
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCERNS
RELATED TO THE
USE OF
HYDROELECTRIC
ENERGY

46. Hydroelectric energy is a renewable energy source
that harnesses the power of flowing or falling water
to generate electricity. While it is considered a clean
and sustainable energy option, there are still some
environmental concerns associated with its use. This
report aims to address these concerns and provide
potential solutions to mitigate the negative impacts
of hydroelectric energy on the environment.

47. 1.
Disruption of
Aquatic
Ecosystems:

48. One major concern is the alteration of
natural river ecosystems caused by
dam construction. The creation of
reservoirs can displace wildlife, disrupt
fish migration patterns, and affect the
overall biodiversity of the area.

49. To address this concern, mitigation
measures such as fish ladders and fish
bypass systems can be implemented
to allow fish to migrate upstream or
downstream.

51. 2.
Loss of
Habitat and
Land:

52. Dam construction often requires flooding
large areas, resulting in the loss of
valuable habitats, including forests and
wetlands. To minimize the impact, careful
site selection and environmental impact
assessments should be conducted prior to
construction.

53. Additionally, reforestation
and habitat restoration
programs can be
implemented to
compensate for the loss
of natural habitats.

54. 3.
Methane
Emissions:

55. Decaying organic matter in flooded areas
can release methane, a potent
greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. To
address this concern, reservoir
management strategies should include
the controlled release of water to reduce
methane emissions.

56. Additionally, the use of
advanced technologies,
such as turbine aeration
systems, can help
minimize the release of
methane.

57. 4.
Sedimentation:

58. Reservoirs can accumulate sediment over
time, leading to reduced water storage
capacity and downstream erosion. To
mitigate sedimentation, sediment
management plans should be
implemented, including regular dredging
or sediment flushing operations.

59. D R E D G I N G
PROCESS OF

60. This helps maintain the
reservoir's storage
capacity and prevents
excessive erosion
downstream.

61. 5.
Seismic
Activity:

62. In certain cases, the construction of large
dams can trigger seismic activity or
induce earthquakes. To address this
concern, thorough geological surveys and
site-specific studies should be conducted
prior to dam construction.

63. Implementing
appropriate
engineering techniques
and monitoring systems
can help minimize the
risk of seismic activity.

64. CONCLUSION:
HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY IS AN IMPORTANT RENEWABLE
ENERGY SOURCE, BUT IT IS CRUCIAL TO ADDRESS THE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS USE.
BY IMPLEMENTING MITIGATION MEASURES SUCH AS FISH
PASSAGE SYSTEMS, HABITAT RESTORATION PROGRAMS,
SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS, AND CAREFUL SITE
SELECTION, WE CAN MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS, WILDLIFE HABITATS, AND OVERALL
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. CONTINUED RESEARCH AND
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS WILL PLAY A
SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN DEVELOPING MORE SUSTAINABLE
AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HYDROELECTRIC
PROJECTS.

65. THANK YOU!
DADANG, ANGEL JAN
C I T I N G W A Y S T O A D D R E S S T H E D I F F E R E N T
E N V I R O N M E N T A L C O N C E R N S R E L A T E D T O T H E U S E
O F F O S S I L F U E L S , G E O T H E R M A L E N E R G Y A N D
H Y D R O E L E C T R I C E N E R G Y
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