sustainable communities: grade 8 geography

SUSTAINABLECOMMUNITIES

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT:

The effect that a person, business, activity, or community has on the environment.

SUSTAINABLECOMMUNITIES:Communities that are planned, built, or modified to encourage

sustainable living; usually designed so inhabitants can generate

minimal environmental impact while maintaining a strong

economy.

RENEWABLE ENERGY:Energy from sources that naturally renew, or will not run out in our lifetimes.

SOLAR ENERGY:Solar energy relies on power drawn from the sun. It is usually divided into two types: active solar energy and passive solar energy.

ACTIVE SOLAR ENERGY:

Using technology like solar panels to collect energy from the sun and convert it to electricity.

PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY

Does not rely on technology but takes advantage of the way the sun naturally

interacts with the earth.

GREEN ROOF:

Another form of passive solar technology; green roofs are covered with plants, which

help keep the building warm.

WIND ENERGY:

Wind turbines like these convert wind energy into electricity to supply

communities with power.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY:

Draws on the superhot temperatures below Earth’s surface by tapping into

steam vents, geysers, and even magma deep underground.

BIOMASS ENERGY:

Energy from plants or other organic

material, like garbage. It can be

converted to biogas, which has a variety of uses.

HYDROELECTRICITY:Hydroelectric power is made by flowing

water. People control the flow of water by building dams on rivers. As the dam

releases water, it creates electricity that can be used by thousands of people.

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – MOST SUSTAINABLE CITY IN THE

WORLD

VANCOUVER, BC – CANADA’S MOST

SUSTAINABLE CITY

Assignment Instructions

1. You are the mayor of a brand new city, and it’s your job to make sure your city is environmentally and economically sustainable. Write a 1-2 page report that outlines your city’s design. You MUST include the following concepts in your design:

• Energy source(s) to power your town• Waste management programs to handle

garbage/recycling• Ways you would encourage residents to live an

environmentally friendly lifestyle• How your city meets the needs of your residents without

negatively impacting the environment (consider our• discussion about the land-use requirements for a city)• A green economy to ensure your town continues to

flourish