6.5 Unconventional Fossil Fuels

Question 1

What are Unconventional Energy Sources

Answer 1

Term ‘unconventional’ refers to characteristics of geological reservoirs or rock formations containing hydrocarbons

Question 2

Examples of Unconventional Energy Sources

Answer 2

tar sands, oil shale, shale gas and deepwater oil

Question 3

Impacts of Unconventional Energy Sources

Answer 3

• social costs and benefits
• implications for the carbon cycle
• consequences for the resilience of fragile environments

Question 4

How do Unconventional Energy Sources have Implications for the Carbon Cycle

Answer 4

Carbon emissions rise

Carbon absorption fall due to deforestation pf taiga forest (carbon sink)