Contextualization

Energy sources have been a central theme in global discussions, whether from an economic, political, or scientific perspective. Over time, humanity has realized that its resources are finite and that it is necessary to seek more sustainable alternatives to meet its demands. Thus, the so-called 'Renewable Energies' emerge, energy resources that are generated continuously in nature and have a high possibility of renewal. They encompass solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biogas energy.

Understanding renewable energy sources is not only about knowing the available types but also understanding their feasibility, environmental, economic, and social impacts, the technological advances that enable their use, and the challenges present in their implementation. In this way, geography is directly connected with other disciplines such as physics, biology, and chemistry.

Contemporary society is increasingly aware of the need to think about clean and renewable energies, since the exploitation of fossil energy sources, such as oil and coal, produces a considerable amount of greenhouse gases, responsible for global warming. Furthermore, these sources are finite and can be depleted at any time. Therefore, the search for energy alternatives that reduce environmental damage and ensure constant supply is fundamental.

Introduction

Energy is one of the pillars of human development and society as a whole. It drives industry, transportation, and domestic activities. For centuries, humanity has heavily relied on non-renewable energy sources such as oil, coal, and natural gas. However, these energy sources, besides polluting the environment, are rapidly depleting.

In this context, renewable energies emerge as a solution. They are sustainable energy sources, with low environmental impact and, most importantly, inexhaustible. These types of energy are constantly being renewed in nature and can be produced in various ways. However, to better understand these energy sources and their possibilities, it is important to have a deep understanding of the concepts, benefits, and challenges they represent.

Practical Activity: Rethinking the Use of Renewable Energies

Project Objective

This activity aims to lead students to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the use of renewable energy in the world, develop a deep understanding of related concepts, comprehend their socio-economic, ecological, and cultural implications, and elaborate a project proposal for the implementation of a renewable energy source in the school or local community.

Detailed Project Description

Divided into groups of 3 to 5 students, each team will adopt a country whose use of renewable energy is exemplary (such as Germany for wind energy or China for solar energy). The students will become 'ambassadors' of these countries, conducting thorough research on the use of renewable energy in the chosen country, focusing on the following topics:

• Types of renewable energy used
• The economic, social, and ecological reasons that led the country to adopt these energies
• The advantages and disadvantages of these energy sources in the country
• The impact of this adoption on people's way of life
• The feasibility of implementing these energies elsewhere

Simultaneously, each group will develop a proposal to implement one of the focused renewable energy types in the school or local community, taking into account factors such as costs, environmental and social benefits, technical and logistical challenges.

Required Materials

• Computer with internet access for information research
• Camera for documentation (optional)
• Office supplies for report and presentation preparation
• Presentation software

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Divide students into groups and assign a country to each group.
2. Each group should research the assigned country, focusing on the adoption of renewable energies and their impacts.
3. After the research, each group should prepare an oral presentation for the class, sharing their findings.
4. Simultaneously, the groups should develop a project proposal to implement a renewable energy source in the school or local community.
5. The plan should detail the type of energy, reasons for the choice, implementation costs, expected benefits, and anticipated challenges.
6. Each group should present their proposal to the class.
7. Encourage the exchange of ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticism among teams.
8. Finally, the groups should gather all information, findings, and proposals in a written report.

Project Delivery

Students must submit a written report containing the following structure:

1. Introduction: In this section, students should contextualize the use of renewable energies in the world and the chosen country, highlighting their importance, advantages, and challenges.

2. Development: Where students will detail their research on the country, addressing aspects such as economy, society, ecology, and the country's future vision regarding renewable energies. They should then present their project proposal, justifying the reasons that led to the choice of the specific type of renewable energy, the expected benefits, challenges, and possible solutions.

3. Conclusions: Here, students should summarize their findings, emphasizing the lessons learned, the implications of using renewable energies, and the feasibility of their proposal.

4. Bibliography: References of all sources consulted during the project development, such as books, websites, videos, among others.