Science Common Sense
1400 - How should we assess and make decisions on energy development risks
Imagine you're building a treehouse, but you have to think about how it might affect the tree, your friends, and the environment. Assessing energy development risks is like thinking about the treehouse, but for big energy projects.
To make good decisions, here's what you do:
- Identify the risks: Think about what could go wrong, like the treehouse falling or hurting someone.
- Understand the impact: Figure out how bad it could be if something goes wrong, like hurting many people or the environment.
- Look at the benefits: Think about the good things, like having a cool treehouse or getting energy for your town.
- Compare the risks and benefits: Weigh the good and bad things to decide if it's worth it.
- Make a plan: If you decide to go ahead, make a plan to minimize the risks and make sure everything goes smoothly.
- Get input from others: Ask people who might be affected by your decision, like your friends or a grown-up, to make sure you're thinking about everything.
- Be prepared for surprises: Things don't always go as planned, so be ready to adjust your decision if something unexpected happens.
By following these steps, you can make smart decisions about energy development risks and help keep people and the environment safe.