Environmental Awareness and Energy Efficiency

Mr. Shrum guides students through a unit activity on designing eco-friendly homes, focusing on energy use, biodiversity, local research, home requirements, costs, emissions, and practical applications. The activity encourages students to explore energy efficiency and its impact on ecosystems, while addressing challenges and improvements in design.

What is a major consequence of using fossil fuels on local ecosystems?

• Increased biodiversity

• Enhanced ecosystem stability

• Improved air quality

• Fragmentation of natural habitats

What is a key feature of biodiversity in ecosystems?

• It increases the resilience of ecosystems

• It leads to ecosystem fragmentation

• It reduces the adaptability of ecosystems

• It makes ecosystems more vulnerable

When researching a zip code, which factor is NOT typically considered?

• Presence of solar panels

• Local climate

• Household waste disposal methods

• Average household income

What is a common characteristic of suburban homes?

• They are usually very large

• They are always eco-friendly

• They are often moderately sized

• They are typically apartments

Which of the following is a financial consideration when building an eco-friendly home?

• The distance to the nearest city

• The availability of fossil fuels

• The number of local schools

• The cost of renewable energy sources

What should you do if you cannot find specific greenhouse gas emissions data for a zip code?

• State that the data could not be found

• Use data from a neighboring zip code

• Ignore the data

• Estimate based on national averages

Which of the following is NOT an example of making a home more energy efficient?

• Building larger windows

• Installing solar panels

• Adding a composting bin

• Using energy-efficient light bulbs

What is a benefit of using renewable energy sources over fossil fuels?

• They are more expensive

• They are less reliable

• They help maintain biodiversity

• They require more land

Which energy source is NOT considered renewable?

• Geothermal

• Solar

• Wind

• Natural gas

What is a common misconception about transitioning to renewable energy?

• It will help maintain biodiversity

• It will be a gradual process

• It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• It will be an immediate switch