Story Guide
How did you like the story of Dr. Jeremy Leggett?
This page helps you deepen your understanding of the story. Some of the content is available only in this story guide.
[Target Audience: 10 years and older]
Quiz game!
Q1: Which is the best explanation of green energy?
Q2: What does "carbon bubble" mean?
Answer:
Q1: Which is the best explanation of green energy?
Answer: 2. Green energy is an environmentally friendly energy source that emits less carbon dioxide and is less likely to be depleted with use.
Green energy is environmentally friendly energy that emits less carbon dioxide and is less likely to be depleted, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy (resources derived from living organisms such as animals and plants, excluding fossil fuels). The term is used almost interchangeably with "renewable energy." While cost used to be an issue, technological innovation now often makes it cheaper than fossil fuels.
Dr. Leggett believes that green energy is the key to solving the problem of climate change. He also points out that if we continue to use fossil fuels and continue to release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the Earth's climate will be damaged beyond repair.
Q2: What does "carbon bubble" mean?
Answer: 1. This is when the value of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas is estimated to be higher than it actually is.
A carbon bubble refers to a condition in which the value of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas is estimated to be higher than it actually is. If climate action limits the use of fossil fuels in the future, many of the assets held by companies, assets such as oil and coal, may fall out of use. At some point, these assets may even become worthless, like a bubble bursting. If the carbon bubble bursts suddenly, it could trigger a serious economic crisis. Because of this, Dr. Leggett argues that the world needs to move away from fossil fuels gradually in order to combat climate change while avoiding an economic crisis.
Important points!
Solar power and other green energy sources are the key to solving the problem of climate change.
The world needs to move away from fossil fuels gradually.
More details
What is rewilding?
Highlands Rewilding, Dr. Leggett’s latest initiative, aims to restore Scotland's nature through "rewilding," or restoring the nature of an area to its original state. Let’s explore rewilding in a little more detail.
Rewilding is a concept focusing on restoring nature that has been affected by human activities to a state as close as possible to what it was originally. The concept emphasizes the importance of not trying to control everything, but of helping nature return to its original relationships. By restoring rivers and forests, and reintroducing animals that once used them as their habitat, the relationship between living creatures and nature is reestablished.
At Yellowstone National Park in the United States, for example, the number of deer had increased beyond sustainability due to the disappearance of wolves. The increase in the deer population caused a depletion of the grass and other vegetation as the amount of food needed by the deer increased. As a result, vegetation along the riverbank decreased and the populations of other creatures that fed on that vegetation left to find food elsewhere. When wolves were reintroduced to the area, the number of deer decreased, the plant life recovered, beavers and other animals returned, and the environment of the river and forest habitats improved.
The goal of Highlands Rewilding is to "restore nature and help communities thrive through large-scale rewilding." The project is underway in two areas in the Scottish Highlands.
One is Bunloit, near the western shore of Loch Ness. This ecosystem includes forests, peatlands, and grasslands, and is a habitat to many animals such as martens, squirrels, badgers, foxes, deer, and wild boar. The many types of birds there include golden eagles and other birds of prey. The land serves as a testing ground for Highlands Rewilding based on scientific research.
Bunloit
The other is Tayvallich, an area introduced in the story. As a peninsula, it is a mosaic of different ecosystems that includes coastal lands, wetlands, salt marshes, ancient forests and grasslands. Temperate rainforest restoration is one of Highlands Rewilding's top priorities.
Tayvallich peninsula
Highlands Rewilding continues working to make Scotland a home shared by people and wildlife.
- Reference:
- Highlands Rewilding