Grade 12 student discusses the energy crisis at Cookstown Library
by Susan Stein

Nick Peterson, a grade 12 student at Nantyr Shores Secondary School, spent two months preparing for his presentation. photo by Susan Stein

It took Nick Peterson two months to prepare a presentation on today's energy situation. These two months were well spent by Nick, who is a grade 12 student at Nantyr Shores Highschool and used this topic for his science project.

It was so well received, that Nick felt it would be a good way to bring the public's attention to it by making a presentation at the Cookstown Branch of Innisfil Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 20th.

He divided the material into relevant categories, which by graphs, questions and categories, were projected to the audience.

Before projecting the answers, he encouraged us to come up with them or ideas on problems.

Blackout - What was the cause? Overuse of electricity, and perhaps a tree branch hitting a hydro pole (just an excuse Nick said). The lesson learned: be prepared - it might happen again.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions - Natural Gas - The use of it will increase by 38% by the year 2025. A resource not lasting forever and to much depending on it.

Coal - An unstable market and a source of pollution.

Alternative - Clean coal, called "Syngas", an idea by a coal company.

Oil - is everything, proven by it's history, by explorations.

Alternatives to the above mentioned energy sources:

Solar heating with solar panels - unlimited supply but dependent on weather conditions and territory.

Tidal - Harnessing the power, the movement of tides. The problems - the cost of constructions of barrages, the use only 10 hours per day. The perils for birds, who use the tidal flats.

Wind - suitable for only certain terrains and open spaces. Windmills (turbines) not very welcome by the public close to their properties.

N u c l e a r a n d Hydroelectric - the problem what to do with the nuclear waste.

Earth energy - water bodies, using steam from Hot Springs (example-Banff Hot Springs).

Biomass/Bioenergy - produced by photosynthetic in plants.

Ethanol- using straw and corn .

Hydrogen - first experiment created by Robert Billings in the 1970's with internal combustion engines to fuel cells.

But the energy created in this way is dependent on unclean ways.

How can we help in conserving energy? Replace light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs; drive less; recycle; have tires properly inflated; use less hot water; avoid over packaging.; reduce heat and air conditioning; plant trees; turn off electric products when not in use;. Be active in conservation.

Many thanks Nick for enlighten us with your meticulous, well researched presentation. Keep it up!