Basic 9 · Social Studies · Environmental Issues
Global Energy Sources and Conservation
In this topic you will assess global sources of energy, compare conservation practices in various countries and explore alternative energy sources and how gender issues relate to energy.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Compare energy sources across countries
- Assess alternative energy sources
- Explain the link between energy and gender
What you already know
- Conserving energy
- Sources of energy in Ghana
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Environmental Issues
- Indicator
- B9.1.1.2.1 – Assess global sources and the means of conserving energy
Introduction
Iceland heats homes with hot rocks, and Norway runs on rivers. Each country uses what it has.
1. Global Energy Mix
The world still gets most of its energy from fossil fuels, which are coal, oil and natural gas. Renewable energy is growing quickly, however, particularly solar and wind. The mix of energy sources in each country depends on natural resources, wealth, technology and government policy. Countries with fast-moving rivers can use hydropower, while sunny countries can use solar power.
2. Country Comparisons
| Country | Main source or feature |
|---|---|
| Norway | hydroelectricity |
| Iceland | geothermal energy |
| France | nuclear power |
| Denmark | wind power |
| Saudi Arabia | oil |
| China | coal, and a huge growth in solar and wind |
| Kenya | geothermal, wind, hydro |
| Morocco | large solar plants |
| Ghana | hydro, natural gas and growing solar |
3. Conservation Around the World
| Practice | Example |
|---|---|
| energy labels | used in many countries, including Ghana |
| public transport | large metro systems in cities |
| cycling | widely used in the Netherlands and Denmark |
| efficient buildings | insulation in cold countries |
| time-of-use tariffs | cheaper electricity at quiet times |
| fuel taxes | encourage people to use less fuel |
4. Lessons for Ghana
Ghana has strong sunshine, as well as good wind along the coast and in some hills, and it has rivers, oil and gas. Kenya's success with geothermal energy shows that African countries can lead in clean energy. Morocco's Noor solar complex shows what can be done in a sunny country. Ghana can learn from these examples, but each country must choose what suits its own conditions and budget.
5. Energy Access
Hundreds of millions of people in Africa still lack electricity, while people in wealthy countries use a great deal more than the world's average. This is an issue of fairness. Rich countries have emitted most of the greenhouse gases so far. Many African leaders argue that their countries must be allowed to develop while also moving towards clean energy. These debates take place at United Nations climate conferences.
New words
- energy mix
- The range of sources a country uses.
- geothermal
- Heat from inside the Earth.
- fossil fuel
- Fuel from ancient living things.
- metro
- An urban railway system.
Summary
- Countries use different mixes of energy.
- Conservation practices vary around the world.
- Energy access is an issue of fairness.
Class activity: Country Cards
- Research one country's energy.
- Make a card with facts.
- Compare it with Ghana.
You need: Printed Ghana, UK, Germany energy fact sheets, World, Ghana maps, Printed energy-source picture cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Iceland uses much…
- A. geothermal energy
- B. coal
- C. oil
- D. firewood
Show answer
Answer: geothermal energyCountry.2. Which country relies heavily on nuclear power?
- A. France
- B. Ghana
- C. Kenya
- D. Norway
Show answer
Answer: FranceCountry.3. Kenya uses geothermal energy.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueAfrica.4. Heat from inside the Earth is ______ energy.
Show answer
Answer: geothermalTerm.5. Give two conservation practices used abroad.
Show answer
Answer: Energy labels and public transport.Any two.6. Why is energy access a fairness issue?
Show answer
Answer: Rich countries use much more, while many Africans have no electricity.Fairness.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Environmental Issues
- Indicator
- B9.1.1.2.1 – Assess global sources and the means of conserving energy
Introduction
In many homes, it is women and girls who gather firewood and cook over smoke. Energy is therefore also a gender issue.
1. Alternative Energy Sources
| Source | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| solar | clean, abundant | cost of batteries |
| wind | clean | needs windy sites |
| biogas | uses waste | needs maintenance |
| small hydro | local supply | needs flowing water |
| biofuels | renewable | may compete with food crops |
| nuclear | low carbon | cost and safety |
2. Ghana's Efforts
Ghana has built solar plants at Navrongo and at Bui, and many schools, clinics and homes now have solar systems. Some off-grid island communities on Lake Volta have mini-grids. The Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832) encourages the development of renewable energy. Ghana is also exploring nuclear power for the future.
3. Energy and Gender
| Issue | Effect on women and girls |
|---|---|
| collecting firewood | hours of work, less time for school |
| cooking smoke | lung and eye problems |
| safety | risks when collecting fuel |
| lack of electricity | less time for evening study and business |
| few women in the energy sector | fewer jobs and less voice |
Gender refers to the roles society gives men and women. In many communities, cooking and gathering fuel are seen as women's work. So when energy is scarce, women and girls carry the greatest burden. Clean cooking and electricity can free up their time for education and income. Men should also share this work.
4. Women in Energy
Women can also be leaders in energy. Women's groups in Ghana have sold improved stoves and solar lanterns. Girls who study science and engineering can become energy professionals. Barefoot College, an organisation from India, has trained rural women, including some from African countries, to install solar lights. When energy projects include women, they serve whole communities better.
5. Making Fair Choices
Any energy plan should ask who benefits, and who bears the costs. A big dam can provide electricity for cities, while the people who live in the flooded area lose their homes, as happened at Akosombo. Gender, poverty and location must all be taken into account. A just energy policy serves women and men, rural and urban people.
New words
- alternative energy
- Energy other than fossil fuels.
- gender
- Social roles of men and women.
- off-grid
- Not connected to the national electricity network.
- mini-grid
- A small local electricity network.
Summary
- Alternative energy offers clean options.
- Energy shortages affect women and girls most.
- Fair plans include everyone.
Class activity: Gender Debate
- Discuss who collects fuel in your community.
- Suggest ways of sharing the work.
- Present your conclusions.
You need: Small solar panel, Printed wind, Geothermal photographs, Printed comparison worksheet
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Biogas is made from…
- A. waste
- B. rock
- C. sand
- D. glass
Show answer
Answer: wasteSource.2. Who usually suffers most from cooking smoke?
- A. women and children
- B. pilots
- C. bankers
- D. miners only
Show answer
Answer: women and childrenGender.3. Clean cooking can free up time for girls.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueGender.4. Not connected to the national network is ______.
Show answer
Answer: off-gridTerm.5. State two limits of solar energy.
Show answer
Answer: Cost of batteries and less power at night.Any two.6. Explain how energy affects gender equality.
Show answer
Answer: Women spend time gathering fuel, and clean energy gives them time for study and work.Link.
Homework
- Find out who does the cooking and fuel collection in three homes, and write what you find.