This document outlines a student group project on sustainable living and global energy consumption. The group members are listed. The objectives of the project are to raise awareness of environmental challenges and promote sustainable societies using green technologies. The document then summarizes global energy consumption sources, with oil, natural gas, and coal making up the majority. It also discusses challenges associated with increasing non-renewable energy consumption, such as climate change, pollution, and health impacts. Finally, it summarizes the main energy sources used in Malaysia and challenges to increasing renewable energy adoption, such as high costs and weather dependence.

1. SUSTAINABLE LIVING CHALLENGE 2012
(SLICE 2012)
GROUP MEMBERS:
A12KP0128 WONG JENN YEU
A12KP0130 ZULKARNAIN BIN RAMLI
A12KP4004 ZAINAL-ABDEEN ALI SALEH AL-MATARI
A12KP0100 MUHAMMAD AMIR BIN DERAHMAN
A12KP0122 SITI HAWA BINTI AZEMAN
A12KP0127 WAN NUR SHABIRA BINTI WAN MOHD NASER

2. Introduction
In order to preserve the well-being of Earth, our group has done a research on global
energy consumption and the problems associated.
The main objective in the project is to draw attention to the challenges faced by
mother earth and the impacts of human indiscretions on environment. Besides, the project
also promotes awareness among students in developing sustainable societies using green
technologies. During the progress, creative and innovative inventions can be inspired to
enhance sustainable living.
In this project, we have conducted a preliminary study on global energy consumption
and various kind of energy sources used in the world. In addition, we have determined the
issues and problems due to the rapid increase in the non-renewable energy consumption
worldwide. The main energy sources used in Malaysia also have been studied. Apart from
that, we also went to investigate the challenges in shifting toward the use of renewable
energy.
In sum, it is important for us to take these into serious considerations, including the
environment issues faced by the Earth and the factors that contribute to it.

3. Global Energy Consumption
Chart above shows the percentage of global energy consumption.
Oil (34%)
Crude oil or petroleum is widely used as fuel in transportation and also other form of
products such as bitumen and lubricants.
Natural Gas (21%)
Natural gas can be found underground and generate energy which is clean and reliable.
Coal (18.6%)
Coal is cheap and easy to get from sedimentary rock while it is non-renewable.

4. Biomass (11%)
Biological material from living like plant can be used to generate electricity by direct heating.
This is one of the renewable source of energy.
Nuclear Power (6.4%)
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. This
form of energy is produce waste disposal which is radioactive.
Hydroelectricity (2.2%)
The electrical power can be generated through the use of the gravitational force of falling or
flowing water. This is also a form of clean energy.
Others (0.4%)
The other sources of renewable energy are wind, solar and hydrogen, which are impractical
and less financial worth to produce energy.

5. World per Capita Energy Consumption
Figure 1. Per capita world energy consumption, calculated by dividing world energy
consumption shown in Figure 1 by population estimates, based on Angus Maddison data.
Prior to 1900, energy per capita did not rise very much with the addition of coal
energy, suggesting that the early use of coal mostly offset other fuel uses, or permitted
larger families. There was a small increase in energy consumption per capita during World
War I, but a dip during the depression prior to World War II. Between World War II and
1970, there was a huge ramp-up in energy consumption per capita. There are several
reasons why this might happen:
 European countries and Japan were rebuilding after World War II.
 The US had a large oil industry that it wanted to develop, in order to provide jobs and
tax revenue.
 Major infrastructure development projects were put into place during this period,
including the Eisenhower Interstate System.

6. Energy Use compared with Population Growth
Figure 2. Decade percentage increases in energy use compared to population growth
Figure above shows a large percentage increases in energy use occurred about the
time of World War I. A second spurt in energy use started about the time of World War II.
Population increased a bit with the first spurt in energy use. Part of the population rise after
World War II may be related to the invention of antibiotics –Penicillin (1942), Streptomycin
(1943), and Tetracycline (1955). Since 1970, the rate of increase in world population has
declined. One reason for this decline may be the use of oral contraceptives.

7. CRITICAL ISSUES DUE TO NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The Main Cause is Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are widely used in the world, but there are a number of serious problems
with burning these fuels to provide energy . They can cause significant damage to the
natural and built environments, and to the health of the people who are exposed to the
chemicals that are released when these fuels are burned. It is these types of problems that
have made alternative, renewable sources of energy a more attractive option since they do
not produce the same kinds of pollution and problems.
Fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal can cause serious environmental problems.
Burning fossil fuels for energy releases a number of chemicals into the air. These include
carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic
compounds.
1) Climate Change
The burning of fossil fuels is the primary source of extra greenhouse gases. These
gases help to trap heat from the sun, keeping the earth warm; the "greenhouse effect" is, in
fact, a perfectly natural and beneficial phenomenon. The problems arise when extra
greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere, trapping more heat, and triggering several
vicious cycles. The results of climate change include changes in wind and current patterns,
leading to more droughts, more floods, hotter temperatures in some places and, ironically,
colder temperatures in others.

8. 2) Ocean Acidification
One of the major greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, is partially absorbed by the
oceans. The problem is that this lowers the pH of the water. In other words, it makes it more
acidic. This causes problems for organisms with carbonate shells, including corals, shellfish
and many species of plankton. The change in water chemistry would also impact other
organisms, which, as any reef tank owner knows, are often extremely sensitive. The results
might be unseen but are potentially extremely dangerous, with the entire ecosystem of the
oceans changing radically.
3) Air Pollution
Much more visible to humans than ocean acidification is the problem of air pollution.
The burning of fossil fuels releases pollutants, including carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides,
particulates, ozone and nitrogen oxides. Air pollution, or smog, causes health problems in
cities including pneumonia, bronchitis and the exacerbation of existing heart and lung
problems. The very young and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Air pollution is also the
cause of acid rain, which can kill vegetation and pollutes water bodies sufficiently to kill off
fish stocks.
4) Habitat Destruction
Fossil fuels are not easily accessible. Some of the greatest deposits exist under the
deep seas, in delicate Arctic habitats and underneath the rainforest. One of the most recent
fossil fuels to be commercially exploited, tar sands, occurs within the forests and wetlands
of North America. Extracting fossil fuels inevitably causes habitat destruction and loss of
biodiversity. Mining and drilling operations often result in pollution in their own right.

9. 5) Acid Rain
The chemicals that are released through the burning of fossil fuels can lead to the
release of nitric, carbonic and sulphuric acids into the environment. This can create acid
rain, which can cause damage to plants and buildings.
6) Climate Change
Some of the chemicals that are released by the combustion of fossil fuels have been
linked with climate change. By changing the proportion of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, the use of fossil fuels can change the way that heat is absorbed and stored in
the atmosphere. This can lead to changes in the climate, which could affect weather
patterns and sea level.
7) Environmental Problems
The soot and particles that are released when fossil fuels are used can also cause
environmental problems. The particles can settle on buildings, resulting in unsightly
damage. They can also settle on plants, affecting their health and reducing the productivity
of crops. Toxic chemicals such as lead can be released through the burning and use of
fossil fuels. These can have serious effects on the health of plants, animals and humans.
When fossil fuels are used, small amounts of radioactive materials are also released into
the atmosphere, but these are not believed to have any significant environmental effects.
The production and transport of fossil fuels can also lead to environmental damage,
particularly if there are any accidents such as oil spills. Mining and drilling can lead to the
release of toxic chemicals that can have negative impacts on the area around the mine.

10. 8) Health Problems
Burning fossil fuels can also cause health problems in addition to these serious
environmental problems, particularly in countries where sufficient precautions are not being
taken. The chemicals, such as heavy metals, that are released into the air through the
combustion of fossil fuels can lead to higher rates of cancer and an increased risk of
respiratory illnesses in the surrounding area. Many heavily industrialized cities in the
developing world burn fossil fuels without taking the same precautions that are used in
other cities in countries such as the US. This can lead to serious health problems in the
local population.

11. MAIN ENERGY SOURCE USED IN MALAYSIA
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Hydroelectric
Hydropower refers to electricity produced by hydroelectric power plants.
Water is a precious resource and can be found in abundance. When it is harnessed for
hydroelectric energy, it can power the lighting for entire cities. Once it has been built, it does
not need fuel to produce electricity. But the idea or use of hydropower is a highly debatable
topic and remains a controversial issue. Despite being a source of clean electricity, the
damage caused by dams during its construction and through its operation often gives rise
to it construction being protested (refers mainly to large dams). When done right however,
small run-of-the-river hydropower can be a sustainable and non-polluting power source. In
Malaysia, hydropower is used for water supply, flood control, irrigation and recreation
purposes. Malaysia has abundant hydropower potential with a total potential capacity of
29,000.
Solar
The Earths' surface receives so much solar energy from the sun every day, that if this
energy is harnessed for even just 60 seconds, it would be enough to power the world's total
energy requirements for a year. Solar energy is currently most used for water heating. It can
be directly converted to electricity through solar cells. These non-polluting solar cells,
known as photovoltaic cells use no fuel, mechanical turbine or a generator. Solar energy
has enormous potential as a resource of clean and unlimited electricity around the world
and with the increasing demand for energy coupled with increasing environmental pollution
from the burning of fossil fuel. Solar energy technologies include solar heating, solar
photovoltaic, solar thermal electricity and solar architecture In Malaysia, installation of solar

12. PV cells is done mainly in rural areas where there is difficulty setting up electricity cables or
it is used by individuals (private homes).
Biomass
Biomass is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms.
In the context of biomass energy, organic matters such as plants can generate electricity by
direct combustion. Certain amount of biomass is converted into liquid fuel by paralytic
process to manufacture bio oil. Part of this paper is allocated to the development of bio
diesel in Malaysia. Some biomass also can be converted into biogas as fossil fuels through
fermentation and gasification. Besides, biomass includes plant or animal matter also can be
converted into fibers or other industrial chemicals. For instance, the biggest biomass power
plant in Malaysia- TSH Bioenergy Company utilizes empty fruit bunches, palm oil fiber and
palm kernel shell as fuel resources. Malaysia produces 168 million tons of waste biomass
annually, representing roughly 2 exajoules of energy which is the equivalent of around 330
million barrels of oil.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant element on earth. But, it needs to be first separated from
other elements before it can be burned as fuel or converted to electricity. Hydrogen is an
energy carrier and not energy source, which delivers energy in a usable form. Moreover,
hydrogen advocates promote hydrogen as a potential fuel for motive power including cars
and boats, and also the energy needs of buildings and portable electronics. For instance,
NASA has used liquid hydrogen to propel the space shuttle and other rockets into orbit. The
hydrogen fuel cells also power the shuttle's electrical systems and producing a clean by-
product, pure water.

13. NON RENEWABLE ENERGY
Crude Oil
Crude oil also known as petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbon molecules. Crude
oil is non-renewable and will eventually run out because we are using them much faster
than they can be restored within the earth. Crude oil can be processed by refinery into
various types of products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and airplane fuel. One of its
products, kerosene is mainly used to provide energy in transportation such as vehicles,
aircraft and ships. The petroleum production also exported to other country and contributes
to a high percentage of the country’s manufacturing income. Crude oil is the most powerful
energy resources and we can get a number of by-products from it. •It is relatively stable and
contains high heating value.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture. It is an important energy
source to provide heating and electricity. Natural gas also used as fuel for vehicles and as a
chemical feedstock in the manufacture of plastics and other commercially important organic
chemicals. In the aspects of transportation, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a cleaner
alternative to other automobile fuels such as gasoline (petrol) and diesel. It’s efficiency also
generally equal to that of gasoline engines. The using of this resource is more economical,
comfort, reliable and clean compared to other resources. Malaysia is a significant natural
gas producer due to the strategic location amid important routes for the seaborne energy
trade. In the past, Malaysia was the world’s third largest exporter of liquefied natural gas
after Qatar and Indonesia.

14. Coal
Coal is a sedimentary rock or a fossil fuel that is commonly used in producing energy. It is
formed from dead plant matter through biological and geological processes that take place
over a long period. Coal is primarily burned for the production of electricity and heat, and is
also used for industrial purposes, such as refining metals. Through combustion, coal
produces electricity and heat as fossil fuels. Besides, coal can also be converted into
synthetic fuels equivalent to gasoline or diesel by liquefaction process. Use of coal is
relatively low cost, easily combustible and good in accessibility. Hence, this important
resource is widely used in Malaysia to produce electricity and heat.
Energy Consumption by Sources in Malaysia
Hydroelectric
Biomass 8.00%
4.00%
Coal Crude Oil
15.60% 40.00%
Solar,Hydrogen
2%
Natural Gas
30.40%

15. Challenges in Shifting toward Renewable Energy
Environmental Issues
Nuclear energy is not applied in our country due to some environmental issues. The
production of nuclear power creates radioactive waste that cannot be recycled or disposed
of by conventional means. Some of the forms of radioactive waste include spent nuclear
fuel rods, the most dangerous type of waste; radiation-contaminated material; and uranium
mill tailings. We do not yet possess the technology to dispose of this waste properly, so it is
piling up at nuclear facilities all over the country. Thus, the nuclear power leaves a toxic
legacy to all future generations. It also produces global warming gases and far more
expensive than any other form of electricity generation. The worst is that nuclear energy
can trigger proliferation of nuclear weapons which can be used by the terrorists.
Uneconomic cost
In solar energy, energy storage makes up a substantial part of the cost for both solar
heating installations and systems for the production of electricity for remote buildings and
plants. Improved energy storage will therefore mean a lot for the solar energy’s possibility
to compete with conventional solutions. Another element that drives up the costs for solar
energy is that the markets and the players in the storage sub-sector are immature.
Wind energy is also another extraordinarily expensive and inefficient form of renewable
energy. This is because the wind farms have relatively high operating and maintenance
cost even though they require no fuel. The energy production is also very low. Thus, wind
energy is actually not financial worthy.

16. Weather and Location Dependent
In present technology, wind energy in Malaysia is not suitable to generate electricity
commercially because wind is not particularly good in Malaysia as compared to the United
Kingdom or Denmark. But, islands like Pulau Perhentian can definitely gain a lot of power
especially when wind turbine is jointly equipped with solar panels which Malaysia is rich in.
The availability of wind resource varies with location in Malaysia and this ceases the
development of wind energy.
Besides, solar energy is also a dependent source of energy because it only captures and
generates electricity from sunlight during the day. The energy has to be stored during the
night and when the sun does not shine. However, this alternative is impractical due to its
high cost in energy storage.

17. Conclusions
Today's global challenge is to develop strategies that foster a sustainable energy future less
dependent on fossil fuels. As a proven and environmentally begin technology and with its
potential as a sustainable long term energy supply into the distant future, nuclear power can
be an important contributor to sustainable development. It is a multipurpose power source
providing base load electricity and offering a wide range of potential applications in the non-
electric sector. To make sure we have plenty of energy in the future, it's up to all of us to
use energy wisely. We must all conserve energy and use it efficiently. It's also up to those
who will create the new energy technologies of the future .All energy sources have an
impact on the environment. Concerns about the greenhouse effect and global warming, air
pollution, and energy security have led to increasing interest and more development in
renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, wave power and hydrogen. But
we'll need to continue to use fossil fuels and nuclear energy until new, cleaner technologies
can replace them. The future is ours, but we need energy to get there.

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