EESA01H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Habitat Destruction, Thermal Pollution, Nuclear Fission
6 Dec 2015
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Less than 0. 005% of world"s population, canada consumes 2. 5% of world"s oil. Oil spewing from holes is a very temporary phenomenon and ends when pressure dissipates. Primary extraction captures about 1/3 of oil. Secondary extraction involves injecting solvents or water to remove more. Alternatives exist that are renewable and less environmentally damaging. Currently nearly all are much more expensive. Alternatives include: hydroelectricity (using water, nuclear fission power, biomass energy. 97% of uranium in a rod cannot be used and becomes radioactive waste. Radioactive waste disposal can be a major issue. Most rods are currently stored on-site under water. Some are kept in lead, concrete and steel lined drums. Some are stored deep underground in bedrock. Only considered carbon neutral if deforestation isn"t the key input. Must also take into consideration the energy being used to harvest the biomass and refine it into fuel. Biomass fuels usually grown in monoculture and take away land from food crops.
