The energy sector plays a central role in modern development, but heavy reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels creates critical socio-scientific issues. Green Technology addresses these issues through cleaner energy supply and greater energy efficiency.
Replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources and practising energy conservation reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Socio-scientific issues are open problems that are controversial social issues related to science. They emphasise moral and scientific applications in real-world situations and arise mainly as a result of human activities.
Greenhouse gas emissions cause climate change phenomena, leading to droughts, flash floods, an increase in Earth's temperature, thunderstorms and the destruction of biodiversity. Examples of general environmental socio-scientific issues include global warming, deforestation, air pollution, water pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal.
The continuous and increasing use of non-renewable energy sources such as petroleum, coal and natural gas around the world means fossil fuels will soon be depleted.
Burning fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in large amounts, making global warming increasingly critical.
Burning fossil fuels triggers severe climate shifts that cause prolonged droughts and various natural disasters.
The energy sector is the main sector in Green Technology. It emphasises (1) how energy is produced or supplied, and (2) efficiency in usage and distribution of energy produced.
Maximising renewable energy usage reduces carbon dioxide content in the air, thereby mitigating the greenhouse effect and climate change. Implementation of holistic energy efficiency practices encourages manufacturers to produce energy-efficient appliances.
Consumer energy-saving habits:
Answer in your mind, then press “Check Answer”.
What are socio-scientific issues?
State three socio-scientific issues arising from the energy sector.
What is the recommended temperature range for air conditioners to save electricity according to the textbook?
Renewable energy completely stops all climate change immediately.
Maximising renewable energy reduces the rate of carbon dioxide emissions into the air, which gradually mitigates the greenhouse effect and climate change, but it requires continuous and holistic adoption.
Setting an air conditioner to an extremely low temperature (e.g., 16°C) cools a room faster without wasting significant energy.
Setting lower temperatures makes the compressor work much longer and consumes substantially more electricity; the textbook recommends 24°C – 25°C for optimal energy efficiency and comfort.
1 Which renewable energy source is particularly suitable to be developed in Malaysia due to receiving abundant sunlight all year round?
2 Which two aspects are emphasised in Green Technology to solve socio-scientific issues in the energy sector?
3 To conserve electricity at home and the office, it is recommended to adjust the air-conditioner temperature to .
4 The largest hydroelectric dam in Peninsular Malaysia that controls flood water and generates electricity is the Dam in Terengganu.
Drag each energy concept to the correct description. On a phone, tap an answer first, then tap a matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
Write the correct energy concept next to each description.
Answer choices: Solar energy • Geothermal energy • Burning fossil fuels • Hydro energy
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