Our comments on 'An Inconvenient Truth' by Margot, Coralie and Océane

We watched the film « An Inconvenient Truth » made by Al Gore. He won two Oscars for this film. We feel like participants at a conference about global warming in the movie. Al Gore is « the ex-future president of the United States ». He was the Democratic Party’s nominee to be President in the 2000 elections. He is an environmental activist and received The Nobel Peace Prize for his work as a climate change activist in 2007.

Al Gore explains in this film that global warming is caused by man’s activities. So during his conference he shows us that people’s behaviour has a harmful effect on the environment. He uses many graphs, many pictures and short animated films to make people aware of the problem. For example, there is a graph about the rising temperature in the world. In the year 2005, the temperature was the hottest on record. In another graph, we can see that the temperature of the ocean is also increasing which will cause the icecap to melt. And this in turn will cause sea levels to rise. This phenomenon would mean the World Trade Center memorial on Manhattan would be flooded. Al Gore demonstrates that the consequences of man’s activities can still be changed. In the movie, we see pictures of The North and South Poles and the disastrous consequences global warming is having on these territories. At the end of the film, he gives examples of behaviour that we can adopt to protect the environment.

This film illustrates the reality of global warming. It makes us think about our habits. We have to change, with this film we understand that it's very important to act. Unfortunately, people don't feel concerned by Global Warming and think that it's too much effort to change their habits. But this is wrong. We can help doing small actions for the environment each day. For example recycling our waste, switching off the light when we leave a room... We could also tell people about this film and encourage them to watch it.

Renewable energy in France by Laura, Sidonie et Manon

Renewable energy in France

There are 5 renewable energy sources which have one main advantage: almost none of them produce waste or pollute the environment. In other words they are « clean ». Using renewable energy is part of the project to struggle against greenhouse gases and reduce the amount of CO2 emissions. Renewable energy can be produced and managed at a local level thus reducing loss of energy caused by transporting electricity from distant power stations to the place where it is needed. Developing renewable energy creates jobs. There is no limit to the supply of renewable energy. If we compare it to petrol, to coal, to natural gases, it's better to use renewable energy if we want a sustainable future for our world.

Wind power
Wind turbines generate mechanical forces or electric forces. In the past windmills were used for grinding wheat into flour. Wind power has become an important producer of renewable energy, produced by wind farms which capture wind energy thanks to blades.

Wind farms now form an integral part of the French countryside.

Biomass energy
Biomass includes 3 principal families which are wood energy or solid biomass, biogases and biofuel. They are materials of organic origin used for heat production, electricity or fuel.

Geothermal science
Geothermal science corresponds to the cultivation of heat stocked in subsoil. The use of geothermal sources is composed of two families: electricity production and heat production. Depending on the sources, techniques and needs are varied. Geothermal is qualified as « high energy » (more than 150°C), « medium energy » (from 90 to 150 °C), « low energy » (from 30 to 90°C) and « very low energy » (less than 30°C).

Solar power
Renewable energy uses the sun in different ways : it's solar power. First, there is photovoltaic solar energy. It comes from conversion of sunlight into electricity in specifics materials. Performances of photovoltaic installations depend on the orientation of solar panels and on the weather in the different areas. Electricity produced is immediately available or is stocked using batteries. There is also solar thermal low temperature. It consists in recovering sunlight in order to create hot water or underfloor heating.

Hydroelectricity
Water propels turbines, creating electricity. It represents 19% of total production of electricity in the whole world and 13% in France.

Conclusion
Our society still uses a high amount of fossil fuels which were formed over thousands of years to. If we continue to consume them at the current rate, these fuels will be exhausted in less than two centuries. Renewable energies are for us, the best way to act so as to protect the planet.


Laura, Sidonie et Manon

Nuclear Power by JEAN Emmanuelle, LAABOUDI Soukayna,NOEL Janie

Nuclear power in France

Nuclear power is the primary source of electric power in France. The nuclear industry in France was implemented in 1950 and 1960 with the commissioning of nine reactors. The first nuclear power plant in France was built in 1956 but it is because of the oil crisis of the 70s, that nuclear power occupies an important place in the French energy sector. The nuclear industry gradually became the main source of electricity production in France. The law fixing the orientations of the French energy policy of July 13th, 2005 confirms the preservation of nuclear power as the main source of electricity in France even if it encourages the diversification of the sectors of production of electricity from the renewable energies (wind energy-biomass etc.) and from oil, from gas and from coal. In France, in 2006, 78,4 % of the electricity was of nuclear origin. It is one of the most competitive in Europe. The French nuclear park comprises 58 pressurized water reactors which produce 450 billion kWh so 78.4% of the total electricity production.

The life expectancy of a third of the power plants currently in operation expires in 2020. France is preparing to deploy a new generation of reactors which answer the requirements of economic competitiveness, environmental protection and enhanced security. France launched in April 2007, the construction of a third-generation EPR2 reactor in Flamanville in Normandy. This project devotes research programs to fourth generation reactors, for their deployment in 2016.

What is the place of nuclear energy in the world?

It represents only 6 or 7% of the total energy consumed from all sources. If this is so little, why do we use nuclear power in France?

-It allows France to ensure its energy independence (France imports less than 50% of its energy resources)

-Protection of the Environment (France is a European country which emits the least greenhouse gas emissions) Indeed, France is involved in a struggle against global warming, a phenomenon now well understood by scientists.

It is essential to use methods of energy production which do not act on global warming, so as not to make it worse. Nuclear power has undoubtedly, beside other energies, as the renewable energies, an important role to play to contribute to protecting the environment. Since 1970, in France, 50% of CO2 emissions have been avoided thanks to the use of nuclear energy. Nuclear power avoids the emission, each year of 700 million tons of CO2 (emissions equal to those that produce 200 million cars) including 360 million in France.

- Nuclear power has an advantage for employment in France.

- Nuclear power is needed to produce the atomic bomb. A modern and powerful country considers that it needs nuclear weapons.

However, the use of nuclear power in France is not always beneficial in the minds of many French people:

- Nuclear power presents health risks related to radioactive pollution.

- Nuclear power hinders the development of renewable energies such as wind turbines, hydraulic power, or, in some areas, solar energy, which do not pollute and are cheaper. The government is not investing enough in renewable energy research.

- The system is dangerous: the installation of a nuclear power plant requires huge, very expensive safety measures, without being sure of their absolute safety.

-Radioactive waste poses a very big problem: the nuclear industry continues to produce and they don't even know what to do with it. It therefore keeps it on the surface, endangering future generations. And the transportation and maintenance of waste is very expensive.

- Since the drama of Japan in 2011, the use of the nuclear power has been the subject of considerable debate in France



JEAN Emmanuelle, LAABOUDI Soukayna,NOEL Janie.

MEMORIES FROM FRANCE

Pictures from the meeting in France 2012 by the student Ana Zaplana

Renewable Energy Sources by Margot, Jessica and Clara

Renewable energy
The main eadvantage of renewable energy is that it cannot be exhausted, because it arises directly from natural, regular or constant elements, linked to the energy of the sun, the ground or gravitation. Renewable energies are also "cleaner"(fewer CO2 emissions, less pollution) than the energies that are not renewable.
The principal renewable energies are:
· Hydro-electric power
· Wind energy
· Biomass energy
· Solar energy
· Geothermal science
· Marine energies

Hydro-electric power

Hydropower exploits the water of streams, waterfalls, even tides, to transform it into electricity.

We can see hydroelectric plants near rivers which capture all or part of the flow of a river, and those requiring water supply:

Both kinds of installations need dams.

Wind energy
A wind turbine is a means which allows wind energy to be converted into mechanical energy. This energy is then transformed almost all the time into electricity. France possesses the second European wind surface after Great Britain. An important development of the wind energy in France is indispensable to answer the objectives fixed by the European directive concerning renewable energies.

Solar energy
Solar energy transforms the rays of the sun into electricity or into heat, using a variety of technologies. The photovoltaic solar energy produces some electricity via photovoltaic means, electricity which can be then put in electricity networks. The thermal solar energy produces some heat which can be used for the domestic heating or the production of warm water, for showers for example. Finally, solar energy thermodynamics produces some electricity via  heat production

Marine energies
Marine energies refer to all the technologies which allow energy to be produced, in particular electricity, from the various resources of the marine environment.
We can distinguish fossil fuels (oil, gas) from new renewable energies. These energies have an immense energy potential which have the added advantage of having a long-lasting perspective.

Geothermal science
Geothermal science or «heat from the ground " refers to all the applications allowing us to capture the heat contained underground or in the ground-waters (the temperature of the earth and the groundwater increases the closer we get to the center of the earth). According to the application, calories thus captured are of use to the production of heat and/or cold or to electricity production.

Presentation of the different kinds of geothermal science
There are various types of geothermal science with two big domains: heat production and/or the production of cold and electricity production. 

Bouchet Margot, Michellier Clara, Da Silva Jessica

Nuclear Energy in France by Mathieu and Cathy

Nuclear power in France : a problem or an essential resource ?

- France : the country in the world with the most nuclear power stations relative to the population.

- Nuclear power accounts for 17% of French energy needs and 78% of French electricity consumption.

Nuclear energy seen as a resource

In France, 78% of electricity comes from nuclear power. This is one of the most competitive in Europe.

In France, 78 % of electricity comes from nuclear energy. This is one of the most competitive of Europe. With its fleet of 58 reactors, France reaches a level of energy independence close to 50%, guaranteeing a stable supply.

Nuclear energy is an energy which does not emit greenhouse gases.

In a context of struggle against global warming, the phenomenon is now well understood by scientists, and defined as inevitable. It’s essential to use methods of energy production that don't increase global warming . Nuclear power has undoubtedly alongside other energies, such as renewable energy, an important role to play, to help preserve the environment.

It is well known that the nuclear industry produces waste, dangerous because it emits radiation. However waste products occupy a small volume and can be safely managed. Solutions have already found to manage 90% of the radioactive waste produced in France.

Ongoing research aims to help make informed choices about future management of waste, which represent 10% of the annual production of radioactive waste.

From the point of view of security of supply and energy independence

With its fleet of nuclear reactors with an installed capacity of 63,200 Megawatts, France holds 78% of its electricity production, allowing it to reach a level of energy independence around 50%.

France is therefore obliged to import massive amounts of fossil fuels to produce electricity. Nuclear power does not have the same constraints as oil or gas.

From the point of view of the environment

Since 1970, in France, 50% of CO2 emissions were avoided through the use of nuclear energy.

Nuclear power avoids the emission each year of 700 million tons of CO2 (emissions equal to those that produce 200 million cars) in Western Europe, including 360 million in France.

An average French person emits on average 1.8 times less CO2 than a German 2.9 and less than an American. In France, electricity generation is 78% nuclear and 14% renewable (mostly hydro), and is the origin of 10% of national emissions of greenhouse gases, as against 40 % globally.

Stopping the production of nuclear energy would  result in a 12% increase in the production of CO2.

On the issue of nuclear waste, nearly 90% of that produced in France already has a reliable and safe industrial solution. It is stored on the surface in two storage centers managed by Andra in the Manche (in Normandy) and Aube (Champagne-Ardennes).

For the remaining 10%, the CEA (Atomic Energy Commission), along with other organizations and institutions, is fully engaged in the research process, regulated by the law of 30 December 1991. It designs and develops techniques for the efficient and safe management of radioactive waste, that is to say to reduce their amount and harmfulness, the packaging and storage deep under the ground. These solutions exist, but it is important to bring them to a level of sufficient scientific and technical maturity, while taking into account economic factors and offering the most comprehensive waste management methods

From the economic point of view

The electricity produced in France is currently one of the most competitive in Europe. For operation in basic nuclear, appears more competitive than gas and coal.

These results include all present and future costs for the nuclear industry, that is to say, research and development, processing of spent fuel, decommissioning of nuclear power stations and waste management.

This competitiveness increases if we take into account the costs incurred by the limitation of emissions of greenhouse gases.

Nuclear power seen as a threat

La Hague: the largest reprocessing plant

Since 1966, the COGEMA plant, located in Cap de la Hague, Normandy, processes used nuclear fuel not only from France, but also from 27 other countries using nuclear energy.

Fuels arriving at the factory are stored under water for several years to cool and they are no longer radioactive. Then the uranium and plutonium are recycled to produce new fuel.

From the environmental point of view, the impact of  La Hague has been the subject of a substantive review by a panel of international experts. The study showed that radioactive releases from La Hague in normal operation represent a significant accident every year. Emissions that exceed by several orders of magnitude allowed emissions.

The La Hague site focuses by far the largest quantity of radioactivity on French soil, making it a nightmare for any security officer. In case of attack, such an attack by hijacked planes, the La Hague plant is not protected.

False arguments to justify the choice of nuclear

« Nuclear power can reduce the" greenhouse effect " » :

The greenhouse effect is a real problem: it can lead to dramatic climate change by removing species. Droughts and floods will become more frequent. But nuclear power is not the solution.

While nuclear energy does not produce carbon dioxide it is hardly unique: all the materials used to build power consumed energy with the emission of polluting gases.

Radioactive waste is transported from one place to another that:

- produce CO2

- Creates a risk of dispersion of radioactive material into the environment

To fight against the greenhouse effect, we need lower overall global energy consumption, and most importantly, we must replace fossil fuels with renewable energy.

"It would be too expensive to stop"

How much will it cost us if there is an accident?

A large part of the population would experience cancer and birth defects or have children with genetic diseases.

All our fruit and vegetables would be radioactive; we would no longer be able to sell our agricultural produce abroad. Our reputation for fine wines would quickly disappear.

Many other environmental problems would occur.

What are the real costs?

"It would take us a long time to replace nuclear power."

This is false. You should know that to produce enriched uranium, the nuclear industry needs a large amount of energy. In fact, it is self-sustaining with nuclear energy, thereby increasing French consumption!

We must use renewable energy. Thus, shut plants and avoid the risk of accidents.

                 

Shale Gas by Valentin and Lucas

What is Shale Gas ?

Shale gas is natural gas produced from shale. Shale gas has become an increasingly important source of natural gas in the United States over the past decade, and interest has spread to potential gas shales in Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. One analyst expects shale gas to supply as much as half the natural gas production in North America by 2020.

Here are several animations in order to better understand what shale gas is:

http://www.dangersoffracking.com/

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/sustainability/one-fracking-minute-animated- explainer-hydraulic-fracturing

http://app.owni.fr/gaz/ (French animation)

 In France, there is a debate on shale gas. That's what we will see now.

                       

From the political point of view..

 According to our Industrial Renewal Minister Arnaud Montebourg: France isn’t prepared to tap its shale energy resources until « clean technologies » are invented to replace hydraulic fracturing.

 The technique known as fracking causes « irreversible pollution » in some cases, the minister was cited as saying in an interview published in Les Echos newspaper. It will probably be replaced by a different methods, he said.

The French parliament passed a law last year outlawing fracking because of concern it can pollute drinking water, effectively halting plans by companies including Total to explore for shale gas in southern France. Fracking is widely used in the United States, including by Total, to produce gas.

 « Hydraulic fracturing is and will remain banned and currently it’s the only way to produce shale gas » said the Environment and Energy Minister Delphine Bath: « Debate is now centered on a technology that doesn’t exist right now to my knowledge. A new technique hasn’t yet been demonstrated. »

Total Chief Executive Officer Christophe de Margerie said: « France should have the courage to explore for shale gas. Because when we are in a difficult economic situation like today and we have the possibility to maybe find gas, which is cleaner than oil and coal, and as we are questioning nuclear energy, it would be a shame not to develop gas. Environmental issues have to be addressed as we go along. »

Fracking uses water, sand and chemicals to open fissures in rocks and release gas and oil. Following passage of the French law in parliament, the previous government suspended the rights of energy companies to explore for shale gas around Paris and in southern France.

France and Poland are the two countries with the biggest potentially recoverable reserves of shale gas in Europe, according to the International Energy Agency.

The French law banning fracking allows for experiments into the procedure overseen by a national commission that must report back to the government annually. It’s not clear whether the new government will install this commission.

 Economically speaking...

 At the economic level, the exploitation of shale gas would be very advantageous. Indeed, the import of gas costs 11 billion Euros per year to France !! Exploiting gas in our country has three advantages: - Reducing our trade deficit by 11 billion € per year;

                    - Creating jobs and value added in France of 5 billion € annually through the local production of gas at a cost close to 50% of the value of imports;

                    - Saving 5 billion € per year in competitiveness for companies and purchasing power of households with access to cheaper energy.

  

From the environmental perspective...

 First, the water tables are at shallow depth, maximum of 600 meters, while gas deposits are at a great depth (a few thousand meters) under many impermeable rock layers. The risk is that the boreholes pass through the acquifères, but leaks are unlikely if the rules, namely the casing and cementing are applied correctly.

Then, the hydraulic fracturings. More than 2 million hydraulic fracturings have been performed worldwide, including 1 million in the United States, because this technique is 60 years old and is used in all oil fields to maximize production. Close to us, in the Netherlands, not less than 1000 fractures were performed to exploit this gas.

The water consumption during the fracturing operation, which is done only once, is 10 000 to 20 000 m3 per well, the equivalent of six Olympic swimming pools !!

The influence on the ground during the drilling reaches 100 meters by 100 meters including the settling pond of water. However, at the end of the operation to move to the operational phase it stays put some wellheads 3 meters apart from each other trapped in a small enclosure mesh and the operator has a contractual obligation return the site to its original condition. The gas transmission pipelines are buried at a depth of 3 meters.

Conclusion

To conclude, shale gas has advantages at the economic level and disadvantages at the environmental level. For the moment, the exploitation of this energy in France is prohibited. But maybe it will change in future years because, what wouldn't people do to earn money?

 Let us conclude with a well-known French saying which states:

Quand le dernier arbre sera abattu, la dernière rivière asséchée, le dernier poisson péché l'homme s'apercevra que l'argent n'est pas comestible.

(When the last tree is cut down, the last river drained and the last fish caught, man will realize that money isn't edible...)