Case Study: increased demand in emergent countries- China

Question 1

What happened in 2010?

Answer 1

2010- China overtook US to become biggest energy user (although, per capita there usage is comparable low i.e each individual person is using very little energy)
Its increase in consumption is due to industrialisation, not individuals.

Question 2

Fastest…

Answer 2

Fastest growing economy ever on the planet- emerging economy.
Since the 1980’s, its economy has doubled in size every 8 years- the consequence of this is a massive increase in the demand for energy.

Question 3

Cement and steel?

Answer 3

Approximately one half of global cement product and one third of global steel production occur in China, proliferation of new buildings and a strong manufacturing sector.

Question 4

What promises to surpass industry as the major driving of future energy demand?

Answer 4

With rising incomes and urbanisation, the commercial, residential and transportation sectors.

Question 5

Chinese middle class?

Answer 5

The growth of industry has created a Chinese middle class- of which have higher consumption levels (higher quality of life).

Question 6

Coal, oil and natural gas reserves?

Answer 6

China has 13% of global coal reserves compared to only 1% of oil and natural gas, so two thirds of its domestic quota are met by coal.This has led to some of the world’s most polluted cities and acid rain leaving soils uncultivable.

Question 7

Worlds largest importer of what?

Answer 7

Oil

Question 8

Example of China investing in alternative fuel sources.

Answer 8

Three Gorges Dam.

Question 9

What is the global significance of China’s rapidly growing demand for energy?

Answer 9

Environmental consequences- carbon emissions affecting global climate (smog, acid rain etc).
Competition for resources- pushes prices up, potential conflicts.
Finite resource- speeds up their use.