03-18-2012, 07:49 AM
SOMETHING I FOUND THAT I THOUGHT COULD BE HELPFUL WITH THE DISCUSSION THAT IS INSURING
Geothermal,
An Energy Alternative?
What is geothermal energy? Geothermal energy is generated when water contacts hot rocks below the earth's surface. The rocks give off hot steam which is used for electricity. This is geothermal energy. Geothermal means earth-heat.
On the island of Hawai'i, geothermal wells have been dug to test the use of geothermal energy for making electricity. There has been a big debate whether geothermal energy does more harm than good.
Geothermal energy costs less and is a relatively safe way to make electricity. It will also help free the islands from importing oil and coal for energy. Although oil is cheaper than a few years ago, it is quickly being used up. People who are for the use of geothermal energy say it is cleaner for the environment than energy from coal and oil.
The people who are against geothermal say that Hawaiian rain forests are cut down to make roads and buildings for the geothermal plants. If the Hawaiian rain forests are cut down, many endangered native plants and animals may become extinct. Some of these plants and animals live only in this area. Furthermore, steam from geothermal plants is full of sulfur and other chemicals. If you breathe too much of the gas, it may be toxic. It is also dangerous to handle without the right equipment. Many people on the Big Island became afraid following leaks from a test well. The power plant that was built afterwards and runs today is very quiet and is self-contained so the sulfurous steam is not released into the air.
Many Hawaiians today still practice their ancient religion and worship the volcano goddess, Pele. They do not like the idea that people are digging into the earth to take energy away without Pele's permission They feel that this is disrespectful because the lands and volcanoes are sacred.
There is not a correct answer on whether to use or not to use geothermal energy. But as future leaders, we need to make decisions these tough decisions.
How do you feel about the use of geothermal energy?
Let us Know,
E-mail:
dream_quest@notes.k12.hi.us
Geothermal Energy Plus-Delta Chart
Feedback
I'm against it because it causes a lot of damage. For example, it worries people because it is very poisonous to breathe if there is a leak. It can also lead to deaths of rain forests and wild animals. That is why I am against it. I also love nature and I would never do anything harmful to it.-Trisha L.
I am against geothermal energy because it's very bad to breathe and it harms people. It causes people and animals to be afraid of it. Some things are good about it. It's cleaner than oil and doesn't make a lot of pollution. And it doesn't need much supplies to produce. -4th grade student
I am for it because it doesn't have too much pollution unlike coal and oil. It could make the world a better place by not making much pollution. -Kalalau
I am against geothermal energy because it is not healthy to breathe. Geothermal energy harms the rain forest and native animals and people are afraid it might leak again. Geothermal is poisonous and can hurt people by just breathing it. -Chaleesa A.
I don't want geothermal energy because of the pollution may be real dangerous. It might also kill off many species. It can hurt the people around it. Hawaiians believe that it is bad because they don't have permission from Pele to dig a hole in her volcano. - Kawika B.
IKE PAYNE
Geothermal,
An Energy Alternative?
What is geothermal energy? Geothermal energy is generated when water contacts hot rocks below the earth's surface. The rocks give off hot steam which is used for electricity. This is geothermal energy. Geothermal means earth-heat.
On the island of Hawai'i, geothermal wells have been dug to test the use of geothermal energy for making electricity. There has been a big debate whether geothermal energy does more harm than good.
Geothermal energy costs less and is a relatively safe way to make electricity. It will also help free the islands from importing oil and coal for energy. Although oil is cheaper than a few years ago, it is quickly being used up. People who are for the use of geothermal energy say it is cleaner for the environment than energy from coal and oil.
The people who are against geothermal say that Hawaiian rain forests are cut down to make roads and buildings for the geothermal plants. If the Hawaiian rain forests are cut down, many endangered native plants and animals may become extinct. Some of these plants and animals live only in this area. Furthermore, steam from geothermal plants is full of sulfur and other chemicals. If you breathe too much of the gas, it may be toxic. It is also dangerous to handle without the right equipment. Many people on the Big Island became afraid following leaks from a test well. The power plant that was built afterwards and runs today is very quiet and is self-contained so the sulfurous steam is not released into the air.
Many Hawaiians today still practice their ancient religion and worship the volcano goddess, Pele. They do not like the idea that people are digging into the earth to take energy away without Pele's permission They feel that this is disrespectful because the lands and volcanoes are sacred.
There is not a correct answer on whether to use or not to use geothermal energy. But as future leaders, we need to make decisions these tough decisions.
How do you feel about the use of geothermal energy?
Let us Know,
E-mail:
dream_quest@notes.k12.hi.us
Geothermal Energy Plus-Delta Chart
Feedback
I'm against it because it causes a lot of damage. For example, it worries people because it is very poisonous to breathe if there is a leak. It can also lead to deaths of rain forests and wild animals. That is why I am against it. I also love nature and I would never do anything harmful to it.-Trisha L.
I am against geothermal energy because it's very bad to breathe and it harms people. It causes people and animals to be afraid of it. Some things are good about it. It's cleaner than oil and doesn't make a lot of pollution. And it doesn't need much supplies to produce. -4th grade student
I am for it because it doesn't have too much pollution unlike coal and oil. It could make the world a better place by not making much pollution. -Kalalau
I am against geothermal energy because it is not healthy to breathe. Geothermal energy harms the rain forest and native animals and people are afraid it might leak again. Geothermal is poisonous and can hurt people by just breathing it. -Chaleesa A.
I don't want geothermal energy because of the pollution may be real dangerous. It might also kill off many species. It can hurt the people around it. Hawaiians believe that it is bad because they don't have permission from Pele to dig a hole in her volcano. - Kawika B.
IKE PAYNE
IKE PAYNE