Provide one example of an environmental cost and one environmental benefit associated with using geothermal energy, solar energy, wind power, and hydro power.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Geothermal costs = environmental cost not included in pricing, some CO2 emissions, air pollution, noise, odor, scarcity of suitable sitesGeothermal benefits = low land use, little CO2 emissions, less environmental impact than fossil fuels, medium net energy yield, low cost at favorable sitesSolar costs = environmental cost not included in pricing, high land use for solar farms, need access to sun 60% time during daylight, high installation cost, need backup systems, high water useSolar benefits = reduces dependence on fossil fuels, low land use if installed on homes or buildings, no CO2 emissions, non-polluting during use, no air or water pollution, source of new jobs, high potential for growth, medium net energy yieldWind costs = plastic components, high land use for wind farms, visual pollution, noise pollution, need backup systems, can kill birdsWind benefits = high net energy yield, little environmental impact, no CO2 emissions, widely available, low electricity costs, easy to buildHydro costs = flooding, environmental costs not included in pricing, CO2 emissions, decrease fish and nutrients downstream, methane emissions, land disturbanceHydro benefits = high net energy yield, large untapped potential, low cost, low emissions in temperate areas