The demand for energy increases when populations increase. More people need more electricity and heat for their homes and businesses. In this activity, you will learn about how the demand for more energy has impacted our environment.  

                  

 

 

Most of the energy we use in Alberta is made from fossil fuels. Oil, coal, natural gas, and propane are fossil fuels formed from the remains of organisms that lived many millions of years ago.

 

In the natural cycle, the amount of carbon dioxide produced by cellular respiration in all organisms is equal to the amount used by producers for photosynthesis. In other words, everything is in balance. When fossil fuels are burned, however, excess carbon dioxide is released into the air and this upsets that natural balance. 

Carbon dioxide and other gases normally form like a blanket around the earth. This blanket traps heat and keeps it from escaping into space. This is called the greenhouse effect. If there is excess carbon dioxide, the blanket becomes thicker and keeps more heat in the atmosphere. Scientists have predicted that the excess carbon dioxide will lead to an increase in the earth's temperature, and they have called this increase "global warming."

What Can Be Done

Alternative energy sources do not consume fossil fuels. They are widely available, more environmentally friendly, and renewable. They also have lower carbon emissions compared to conventional energy sources. Some alternative energy sources used in Alberta include wind power, hydroelectricity, biomass, and solar power.