1GB3: Consuming Energy Resources

Question 1

What 3 ways can energy be in?

Answer 1

Renewable
Non renewable
Recyclable

Question 2

What are examples of renewable energy?

Answer 2

Wind energy - turbines use the energy of the wind to generate electricity, on land or at sea. Often built in large windfarms
Solar energy - energy from the sun is used to heat water/solar cookers
Hydroelectric power - energy of falling water. Water is trapped by a dam and allowed to fall through tunnels. The pressure created from this turns turbines to generate energy

Question 3

What is non-renewable energy?

Answer 3

Can’t be replenished quickly
Can run out
Stock resources: planet has a limited supply

Question 4

What are examples of non renewable energy?

Answer 4

Fossil fuels: coal, oil, natural gas

Question 5

What are recyclabe energy sources?

Answer 5

Made from waste products or waste products are usable and can be used to generate more energy

Question 6

What are examples of recyclable energy?

Answer 6

Nuclear energy - contains uranium atoms. When this is split, a lot of heat is produced, used to boil water. Steam can turn a turbine
Biomass - wood, planta, animal waste can be burns to release energy or used to produce biofuels

Question 7

What impacts can mining have towards the environment?

Answer 7

Surface mining strips away large areas of soil, rock, vegetation so miners can reach the materials they want. Permanently scars the landscape
Habitats destroyed when forests are cleared, loss of biodiversity
Affects water cycle - fewer trees take up water from ground (deforestation) - soil erosion
Greenhouse gas released : CO2, methane, global warming

Question 8

How can drilling negatively impact the environment?

Answer 8

Land stripped of vegetation to make space for drills and roads to access the sites
Oil spills - coats feathers and fur of animals, reduces their movement
Extracting natural gas from environment can cause methane to leak into the atmospere, greenhouse effect stronger, contributes to global warming

Question 9

How can the renewable energy, wind energy affect the environment?

Answer 9

A lot of wind turbines are needed to generate sufficient energy, so a lot of space is needed.
Turbines produce constant humming noise - noise pollution complaints
Spinning blades can kill birds

Question 10

How can the renewable energy, solar energy affect the environment?

Answer 10

Some solar farms use ground and surface water to clean their solar panels - lead to water shortages, disrupting ecosystems
Heat reflected from mirrors can kill wildlife
Solar panels built on the ground can disturb and damage habitats

Question 11

How can the renewable energy, hydroelectric power affect the environment?

Answer 11

Use dams to trap water for energy production - creates a resevoir which floods a lot of land
Sediment build up in the river in which the dam is built can block sunlight causing plants and algae in the river to die

Question 12

Which factors can have an impact on a countrys access to energy?

Answer 12

Technology
Geology
Accesibility
Climate
Landscape

Question 13

How can technology affect a countrys access to energy?

Answer 13

Unavailable or too expensive
Developed countries can exploit energy more (renewable)
Developing countries rely more on fossil fuels (cheaper)

Question 14

How can geology affect a countrys access to energy?

Answer 14

Fossil fuels found in sedimentary rocks
Countries located on plate boundaries may be able to access geothermal energy

Question 15

How can accesibility affect a countrys access to energy?

Answer 15

An area might have large energy resources but be unable to access them
For example. Permafrost may make it difficult to access fossil fuels
Some resources are found in protected areas, antarctica, and cannot be exploited

Question 16

How can climate affect a countrys access to energy?

Answer 16

Solar power requires large amounts of sunlight to generate energy
Sunnier climated countries (spain) can make use of this more effectively than countries with duller climates (UK)

Question 17

How can landscape affect a countrys access to energy?

Answer 17

Requires lots of water to generate energy and steep sided valleys to use as resevoirs

Question 18

Why do developed countries use more energy?

Answer 18

Because they can afford to, have access to electricity and heating, and energy-intensive devices

Question 19

Why do developing countries use less energy?

Answer 19

Less able to afford it
Lifestyles are less dependant upon high energy consumption

Question 20

What are oil reserves?

Answer 20

The amount of recoverable oil - oil that can be extracted using todays technology

Question 21

What is oil production?

Answer 21

Process of extracting and refining unrefined crude oil

Question 22

How does infrastructure affect a countrys oil production?

Answer 22

In order to produce oil, a country needs the right equipment and technology

Question 23

How does domestic demand affect a countrys oil production?

Answer 23

Saudi arabia relies on oil to meet its own energy needs

Question 24

How does shrinking reserves affect a countrys oil production?

Answer 24

Oil production from north sea reserves has been declining as reserves are used up

Question 25

How does global oil consumption affect a countrys oil production?

Answer 25

Global oil consumption is increasing as countries develop As GDP per capita increases, oil consumption increases People in wealthier countries have more energy-intensive goods, around 65% of all oil is used to fuel vehicles

Question 26

How can conflicts affect oil supply and prices?

Answer 26

Disrrupt oil production which leads to a decrease in supply. Shortages of oil can cause prices to increase

Question 27

How can diplomatic relations affect oil supply and prices?

Answer 27

Oil prices may increase because of tensions between oil producing countries

Question 28

How can recessions affect oil supply and prices?

Answer 28

Lower the demand for oil because industrial activity and economic growth slow down Prices fall

Question 29

How can economic booms affect oil supply and prices?

Answer 29

Prices increase during periods of rapid economic growth because of increased consumption and demand

Question 30

How can exploiting new oil and gas reserves bring economic benefits?

Answer 30

Countries with oil and gas reserves can save money by reducing energy imports Countries could make money exporting energy Oil and gas companies bring investment and jobs to an area

Question 31

How can exploiting new oil and gas reserves bring environmental costs?

Answer 31

In order to reach new reserves, land may have to be cleared to make way for pipelines and roads - disrupts fragile ecosystems and causes a loss of biodiversity Can impact marine life - noise and vibrations from drills can confuse marine animald that rely on sound to navigate, communicate and find food Pollute soils and water

Question 32

What is unconventional energy?

Answer 32

energy sources and methods that fall outside the traditional realm of conventional oil, gas, and coal extraction. These include resources like shale gas, tar sands, oil shale, and unconventional gas

Question 33

How can fracking negatively impact the environment?

Answer 33

Chemicals used in fracking liquids can pollute groundwater and drinking water, people in the US have been able to set fire to their tap water Land has to be cleared - destroys animal habitats and disrupts ecosystems

Question 34

How can surface mining negatively impact the environment?

Answer 34

Lot of space needed, cause a reduction in biodiversity as organisms have less space to live and find food Processing tar sands creates a lot of liquid waste full of harmful chemicals. Pollutes water supplies if not managed properly.

Question 35

What are benefits of energy efficiency and conservation?

Answer 35

Supplies lasy longer, reduce carbon emissions

Question 36

How can the demand for energy be effectively reduced at home?

Answer 36

Insulation - less energy required to heat homes Modern boilers - new boilers more efficient, less energy Solar panels - fitted into roofs, renewable low carbon energy

Question 37

How can fracking negatively impact in transportation?

Answer 37

Road vehicles and trains can be fitted with devices to store the energy lost under breaking, either to be later used or returned Improving public transport and encouraging walking - less energy demand for transport

Question 38

What are the 3 main advantages to reducing the use of fossil fuels?

Answer 38

Reducing carbon footprint Improving energy security Diversifying energy mix - reducing reliance on finite fuels increases the energy produced by alternative methods

Question 39

What are the costs of using biofuels as an energy source?

Answer 39

Must be managed sustainably to make sure they dont run out Reduces amount of food crops that can be grown A lot of water needed Deforestation in some areas

Question 40

What are the benefits of using biofuels as an energy source?

Answer 40

Less pollution when burned compared to fossil fuels Some biofuels are made from waste products - less waste produced

Question 41

What are the costs of using wind energy as an energy source?

Answer 41

Unpredictable - amount of energy produced varies Environmental issues Expensive to transport

Question 42

What are the benefits of using wind energy as an energy source?

Answer 42

After made and transported, they do not release greenhouse gas emissions Cheap source of renewable energy

Question 43

What are the costs of using solar energy as an energy source?

Answer 43

Sunny climates needed - not reliable in places where there is very little sun Toxic metals used in the construction of solar panels Affects habitats and ecosystems

Question 44

What are the benefits of using solar energy as an energy source?

Answer 44

Once panels are fitted, no emissions Dont require much maintenance after installation Widely available technology

Question 45

What are the costs of using hydroelectric power as an energy source?

Answer 45

Expensive to build and require lots of water and land Methane may be released from rotting organic matter in resevoirs Environmental issues

Question 46

What are the benefits of using hydroelectric power as an energy source?

Answer 46

No emissions Flow of water can be controlled, supply is reliable

Question 47

What are the costs of using hydrogen fuel as an energy source?

Answer 47

Expensive Not widely available Unlikely to be able to increase energy security Storing hydrogen is dangerous - flammable

Question 48

What are the benefits of using hydrogen fuel as an energy source?

Answer 48

No harmful emissions, only by product is water Not limited to particular areas because hydrogen is usually extracted from water

Question 49

What are the 2 main energy futures?

Answer 49

Business as usual - everything carries on as normal. Get most of our energy from fossil fuels and dont increase the use of renewable energy sources Move to sustainability - reduce the amount of fossil fuels we use and increase renewable energy sources

Question 50

What are consumers attitudes towards energy futures?

Answer 50

Want secure energy supplies that won’t be disrupted in the futures Want cheap power - sustainable energy requires investment, increases price Many consumers favour business as usual - cheap, secure supply of energy but some consumers are beginning to favour sustainable energy

Question 51

What are TNCs attitudes towards energy futures?

Answer 51

Sustainable enrrgy needs more investment than fossil fuels, TNCs would have higher costs and potentially lower gains - may favour business as usual Sustainable energy is more expensive and would likely increase energy costs Controlling oil reserves gives TNCs a lot of power and wealth - may be reluctant to switch to renewable energy

Question 52

What are governments attitudes towards energy futures?

Answer 52

In developed countries, governments are starting to come under pressure from consumers to protect the environment - more sustainable energy used Fossil fuels have helped countries in developing. Many emerging countries have concerns about whether sustainable energy will help them develop.

Question 53

What are climate scientists attitudes towards energy futures?

Answer 53

Reduce reliance on fossil fuels in order to lessen the consequences of climate change

Question 54

What are environmental groups attitudes towards energy futures?

Answer 54

Want to stop people relying on fossil fuels as it damages environment Want to switch to sustainable energy

Question 55

What is a carbon footrpint?

Answer 55

A measure of the amount of greenhouse gases generated by the activities of an individual or organisation or by a product over its lifetime

Question 56

What is an ecological footprint?

Answer 56

A measure of how much land is needed to support an individual’s lifestyle

Question 57

How can rising affluence change the attitudes towards energy futures?

Answer 57

Governments in developed countries have more energy to invest in public transport and renewable energy People with more money can afford to make a choice about energy used Fossil fuels - choose sustainable path

Question 58

How can education change the attitudes towards energy futures?

Answer 58

People in developed countries have a better access to education through school and the media Better understanding of the consequences of unsustainable energy use and increasing emissions People learn how to reduce their carbon footprint meaning theres more interest in using cleaner energy sources and reducing energy consumption

Question 59

How can environmental concerns change the attitudes towards energy futures?

Answer 59

Increased access to education means people are more worried about permanently damaging the environment — they're more likely to try to reduce their carbon footprint. Developed countries can afford to invest in research into the environmental impacts of different energy sources - this creates more awareness about energy consumption and how to reduce carbon footprints. In developing countries, economic development can overshadow environmental concerns. As a country develops, the environment can become a higher priority.