Carbon Case Studies

Question 1

What percentage of Earth’s carbon is stored in sedimentary rocks like limestone?

Answer 1

Over 99.9%

Sedimentary rocks are significant carbon reservoirs.

Question 2

How much CO2 did the 2010 Iceland volcanic eruption emit per day?

Answer 2

150,000 – 300,000 tonnes

This highlights the impact of volcanic activity on atmospheric carbon levels.

Question 3

What is the largest carbon store in the world?

Answer 3

Oceans

Oceans store 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere.

Question 4

What percentage of ocean carbon is stored in algae, plants, and coral?

Answer 4

93%

These organisms play a crucial role in the carbon cycle.

Question 5

What process produces half of the world’s oxygen?

Answer 5

Photosynthesis

This process is vital for sustaining life on Earth.

Question 6

What percentage of global carbon is stored in soils?

Answer 6

20-30%

Soils are important for carbon sequestration.

Question 7

How much carbon do mangroves sequester per hectare every year?

Answer 7

Approximately 1.5 metric tonnes

Mangroves are significant carbon sinks.

Question 8

What will happen if just 2% of the world’s mangroves are lost?

Answer 8

50 times the natural sequestration rate of carbon will be released

This indicates the importance of mangroves in carbon storage.

Question 9

By what year will the eastern Alps be completely ice-free?

Answer 9

2100

This points to the impacts of climate change.

Question 10

How much faster are Arctic regions warming compared to the global average?

Answer 10

Twice as fast

This is a significant concern for global climate dynamics.

Question 11

Which three countries are the top energy consumers worldwide?

Answer 11

China, USA, India

These countries have large populations and industrial bases.

Question 12

Where is energy consumption very high due to extreme climates?

Answer 12

North America, the Middle East, Australia

Extreme climates lead to increased energy needs.

Question 13

What is the energy usage per capita for the US?

Answer 13

10 kW

This is significantly higher than many other countries.

Question 14

What is the UK’s energy mix?

Answer 14

40% gas, 32% oil, 15% coal

This reflects the country’s energy sources.

Question 15

What is Norway’s energy mix?

Answer 15

40% hydropower, 33% oil, 20% gas

Norway relies heavily on renewable energy.

Question 16

Who are the top five major players in the world of energy?

Answer 16

TNCs, OPEC, energy companies, consumers, governments

These entities significantly influence energy markets.

Question 17

What percentage of the world’s oil reserves does OPEC control?

Answer 17

78%

OPEC’s control impacts global oil prices.

Question 18

What percentage of the world’s crude oil does OPEC produce?

Answer 18

45%

OPEC is a major player in global oil production.

Question 19

What percentage of natural gas does OPEC produce?

Answer 19

15%

This shows OPEC’s role in the gas market as well.

Question 20

How much of the Nigerian government’s revenue does Shell provide?

Answer 20

80%

Shell is crucial to Nigeria’s economy.

Question 21

What percentage of Gazprom’s gas reserves does it control?

Answer 21

1/3

Gazprom’s influence affects European gas supply.

Question 22

How much of the EU’s gas did Gazprom used to provide before the Russian-Ukraine war?

Answer 22

40%

This has significantly decreased to 8% post-conflict.

Question 23

Which country is the biggest seller of oil?

Answer 23

China

China’s role in the oil market is significant.

Question 24

What percentage of LNG ships left Kuwait in 2016?

Answer 24

Most

Kuwait is a leading LNG exporter.

Question 25

What is the daily oil passage through the Suez Canal?

Answer 25

2 million barrels ## Footnote The Suez Canal is a critical shipping route.

Question 26

How much oil export loss did Hurricane Katrina cause?

Answer 26

50 million barrels ## Footnote Natural disasters can severely impact oil supplies.

Question 27

When did Shell claim to reach peak oil production?

Answer 27

2019 ## Footnote This indicates a potential decline in oil output.

Question 28

How many barrels of oil does Nigeria lose daily due to piracy?

Answer 28

400,000 barrels ## Footnote Piracy severely affects Nigeria's oil industry.

Question 29

What percentage of the world's oil reserve is found in Canada Alberta tar sands?

Answer 29

11% ## Footnote Alberta's tar sands are a significant source of oil.

Question 30

What releases three times more greenhouse gases than conventional oil?

Answer 30

Deforestation ## Footnote Deforestation is a major environmental concern.

Question 31

By what percentage did tar sand production increase between 1990 and 2018?

Answer 31

456% ## Footnote This reflects growing energy demands.

Question 32

What percentage of natural gas in the US is produced by fracking?

Answer 32

67% ## Footnote Fracking has transformed the US energy landscape.

Question 33

What percentage of biofuel production does ethanol account for?

Answer 33

90% ## Footnote Ethanol is a major component of biofuels.

Question 34

How many jobs has wind power created in the US?

Answer 34

100,000 jobs ## Footnote Wind energy contributes to job creation.

Question 35

How much forest area was lost globally between 1990 and 2012?

Answer 35

2.3 million km² (32%) ## Footnote Deforestation is a significant global issue.

Question 36

How many land conflicts in Indonesia in 2016 were linked to the palm oil industry?

Answer 36

700 ## Footnote The palm oil industry has social and environmental repercussions.

Question 37

By how much have Arctic temperatures risen in the last 100 years?

Answer 37

Up to 4 degrees ## Footnote This is a concerning trend related to climate change.

Question 38

How much carbon do coral reefs act as a sink for annually?

Answer 38

111 million tonnes ## Footnote Coral reefs are vital for carbon sequestration.

Question 39

How many people are protected from waves by coral reefs?

Answer 39

Over 200 million ## Footnote Coral reefs provide essential protective benefits.

Question 40

What percentage of the Maldives GDP is made up by aquaculture?

Answer 40

6% ## Footnote Aquaculture is crucial for local economies.

Question 41

How many people are reliant on coral reef tourism in the Maldives?

Answer 41

200,000 people ## Footnote Coral reef tourism supports many livelihoods.