Activity 7.1

LINKS BETWEEN ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS

Aim:

When you have completed this activity you will have described the links between ecological and economic factors in the production of electricity using solar energy.

• Read the information on solar energy in the Fact Sheet.
• Read the information below about using the compass rose framework.
• Use the compass rose diagram to write your questions and statements about solar energy’s economic, ecological, social and political issues and how they are related.
• If you have framed questions to which there is no answer in the text provided, you might wish to search for further information in your school library or on the Internet.
• When complete (at least one question and statement in each of eight compass points) explain your work to a partner.

Using the compass rose framework

In the compass rose framework the four main compass points represent:

• Natural/ecological questions
• Social and cultural questions
• Economic questions
• Who decides? Who benefits? That is, political questions.

The diagonal points represent relationships between the four main points. For example, NE highlights questions about how economic activity impacts on the natural environment; SE highlights questions about the economic activity and people’s lives.

Available as:

PDF – Activity 7.1

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