carbon Flashcards
what are the role of TNCs, OPEC, consumers and governments in securing pathways and energy supplies
TNCs- e.g petrochina and royal dutch shell. state owned= under gov control. Involved in exploring, extracting, transporting refining and producing petrochemicals.
OPEC- 14 member countries- own 2/3rds of oil reserves. It can control the amount of oil and gas entering the global market, as well as the price. OPEC has been accused of driving up oil and gas prices by holding back production
Energy companies- convert primary energy into electricity and distribute it. Have an influence on setting consumer prices and tariffs
Consumers- play a passive role
players: what is the role of businesses in securing energy (unconventional fossil fuels) and what are the environmental costs
Canada is leading the way for unconventional fossil fuels
-Players= EXTRACTION COMPANIES: have a key role in discovering and developing reserves, they will be keen to see good financial return and are willing to take risks to the environment to achieve this.
costs of unconventional fossil fuels:
-all threaten environmental damage, from the scars of open cast mines and land subsidence to the pollution of groundwater and oil spills
what are the attitudes of global consumers towards environmental issues
- a rising income leads to reduced environmental degradation (Kuznets curve)
-In the UK the Forestry Commission was set up to reduce the countries shortage of timber, it reforested areas. Many countries have begun programmes of reforestation. However, little is being done in regards to ocean health and forest health. NGOs are of importance, they bear different attitudes towards sustainability and environmental issues.
Attitudes are largely influenced by motives, if these are economic rather than environmental, they may not be sympathetic.
what are the uncertainties of future projections of the climate (GHG emissions)?
-although scientific understanding of the enhanced greenhouse effect is increasing, there is much uncertainty , caution must be taken when making predictions
-further climate warning many occur due to loss of albedo as snow melts so less reflection of sunlight
GHGs will impact:
-precipitation patterns
-river reschemes
-drainage basin stores
-the cryosphere
questions arise such as:
-will ffs be completely replaced
-how much warmer will the Earth be
-will GHG emissions continually rise
-Adaptation and mitigation
what are the attitudes of different countries, TNCs and people towards greenhouse gas emissions
-business as usual may occur but mitigation strats may be installed. Mitigation requires effective international agreements. Global warming is a global problem requiring global actions. The Kyoto protocol aimed to cut GHG emissions by 5% by 2012, not all countries were enthusiastic such as the USA, (the US didnt ratify/accept
what are the attitudes of different countries, TNCs and people towards greenhouse gas emissions
-business as usual may occur but mitigation strats may be installed. Mitigation requires effective international agreements. Global warming is a global problem requiring global actions. The Kyoto protocol aimed to cut GHG emissions by 5% by 2012, not all countries were enthusiastic such as the USA, (the US didnt ratify/accept the Kyoto Protocol)
-The Paris agreement aims to keep rising global temps less than 2 degrees above its pre-industrial level, this agreement has 140 signatures, the USA has withdrawn from this, China and India have signatures although reluctant.
TNCs may express concern but may not take action. Governments who produce little GHG emissions try to draw attention to countries that largely contribute to emissions.