Energy Sciences

Introduction

Today, the world is facing a shift in climate. Humans are seeing an “increase in average temperatures across the contiguous United States with the warmest years occurring since 1998.”¹ Heat waves have almost tripled the long-term average with analyses showing that human induced climate change has increased the probability of heat waves. An increase in average temperatures causes increased rates of evaporation which increases the severity of drought in different locations while also contributing to an increase in downpour events in other areas.² Data show that the warming trend is caused largely due to anthropogenic effects. These effects will continue if human populations increase as their energy demands will increase. Consequently, society must find a way to combat the CO₂ emissions associated with this increase in energy demand. 

In this curriculum unit, I plan to expose high school environmental science students to energy resources available throughout the world, their effect on human-induced climate change, the effect climate change has on islands, and how islands can become self-sustaining. It is important that students develop an understanding of nonrenewable and renewable energy to better understand the implications of the continued usage that fossil fuels have on the world. I will use the course guidelines provided by College Board Advanced Placement for Environmental Science to connect the theme of energy. Students will investigate energy sources available, renewable and nonrenewable, by contributing to a museum exhibit. With this, students will dive deeper into renewable resources by exploring wind, solar, and hydropower to determine which renewable source of energy is best suited for meeting the needs of an island.

It is important to note that the reason many governments still utilize fossil fuels is the fact that they are cheap and widely available. Unfortunately, this is not the case for water locked islands that do not possess oil or coal. Thus, they must pay to ship in oil, coal, natural gas, etc. In an ideal world, utilizing renewable forms of energy that are relatively safe for the environment would be the solution to shipping in coal, oil, and natural gas. However, politics and economics tend to dominate our use of energy. To design, develop, and build the resources necessary for alternative energies the price tag can be hefty. Many of the island governments do not possess the necessary funds to build the infrastructure needed. Consequently, the status quo will then continue with the shipping in of fossil fuels to meet the energy needs of islands until the price tag is mediated, or risks are taken for the greater good.