Intended Benefits vs Unintended Consequences Objective I will

Intended Benefits vs. Unintended Consequences Objective: I will be able to briefly describe some of the benefits and consequences of new technologies.

Intended Benefits An intended benefit is a positive purpose for which a technology is designed to be used.

Unintended Consequences An unintended consequence is a problem that comes along with a new technology.

Cars • What are some of the benefits to cars? (intended benefits) • What are some of the drawbacks? (Unintended consequences)

• Plastic is – – – Plastic Cheap and easy to make • Plastic is also Light o Produces toxic fumes Durable when made Long lasting o Expensive to recycle Recyclable o LONG LASTING (aka it does not decompose. . Our oceans are beginning to be filled with plastic bits which break down into plastic sand but never go away o Lots of waste in landfills

Nuclear Fuel • Less greenhouse gases • Low operating costs • Waste can be reused to make more power • Less greenhouse gases • Low operating costs • Unknown risks in an accident (melt down) • Expensive to construct • Uranium is rare • Waste takes 200 -500 thousand years to decompose

Ethanol (Fuel made from corn) • A renewable and sustainable energy source • Can be produced in the US (Jobs!) • Better for the environment • Cleaner for engines • It would be an expensive switch (think of the millions of cars that would have to be replaced) • Higher demand for corn may raise food prices • Jobs lost in gasoline industry

Genetically Modified Organisms • Less pesticides required • Higher yield crops (more fruit per plant) • Super foods may be possible (cheap to produce, don’t require much space to grow, very nutritious) • Super weeds/pests may evolve • Cross pollination with natural plants may create a problems (think kudzu) • Unforeseen health/environmental problems predicted

ASSESSMENT • Think of a technology that may be hotly debated (like nuclear fuel), or may just be accepted (like cars). Name – One intended benefit of that technology – One unintended consequence • For your technology, do you think the benefits are worth the negative consequences?

Human use of chemicals containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has contributed to a thinning of the ozone layer in the atmosphere. The ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Which best describes a negative consequence of the thinning of the ozone layer? A. too many nutrients are available in oceans B. animal cells have become damaged C. less light is available for plant growth D. less precipitation happens in rain forests

Most plastics are made using products manufactured at oil refineries. The recycling of plastics most impacts Earth by causing A. an increase in the amount of fuel used in cars. B. an increase in the amount of pollution in the oceans. C. a reduction in the amount of waste in landfills. D. a reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Ethanol is an automobile fuel made from corn. Which of these is an unintended negative consequence of using ethanol instead of gasoline? A. reducing consumers’ need for fossil fuels B. increasing the number of jobs available in agriculture C. increasing the demand for corn that leads to a rise in food prices D. reducing the amount of gases that could harm the environment