Chapter 2

Question 1

Name one emerging economy and explain its role in the trends shown in the figure above.
(4)

Answer 1

India (1)

The emerging economy demonstrates increased fuel demand for transportation, industrial growth and increased standard of living, in this way it contributes to the rising global demand. {1}

The additional demand also contributes to the decline in fossil fuel supplies as these are used up more rapidly. {1}

The high energy demand however also contributes to the rising demand for renewable energy as the emerging economy seeks to supplement and secure its energy supplies. {1}

Question 2

Discuss the global economic impact of key emerging economies in relation to demand for fossil fuel supplies. Your discussion must include three different points. {6}

Answer 2

1: An increasing population and longer life expectancies in emerging economies causes an increase in demand for heating and transport which use fossil fuels. [2]

2: Greater economic growth in emerging economies leads to increasing wealth in the population. This increases demand for goods and services which use fossil fuels. [2]

3: Industrial growth in emerging economies leads to increase in the manufacture of plastics, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods which use fossil fuels as a raw material and as a source of energy. [2]

Question 3

Describe two different reasons why fossil fuel use in emerging economies, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, is rising.(2)

Answer 3

In emerging economies there is a high demand for fossil fuels from industry for energy provision and manufacture.(1)

The impact of increasing population resulting in increasing demands for fuel for heat, electricity, transport etc.(1)

Question 4

a). Explain the concept of fuel security. {2}

Answer 4

Fuel security refers to a nation’s ability to access a continuous affordable supply of fossil fuels

Question 5

b). Outline two ways that a country can enhance its fuel security. {2}

Answer 5

• Reduce dependency on fossil fuels [1]

• Develop alternative fuel
supplies, e.g. renewable energy, biomass (1)

Question 6

Explain why countries will have to reduce their use of coal-fired electricity in order to alter their greenhouse gas emissions. {2}

Answer 6

Burning coal to produce electricity releases carbon dioxide gas which is a greenhouse gas. {1}

It is implicated in causing global warming and climate change. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, countries will have to burn less fossil fuel. {1}

Question 7

Describe two ways in which the global use of fossil fuels impacts on the environment. {4}

Answer 7

Habitat degradation caused by e.g. rising sea level rises, desertification and polar icecaps melting. Plants and animals cannot adapt to the new environment and do not survive in it (2)

Impact on biodiversity {1}; loss of species results in less food for other species so there is a knock on effect on biodiversity {1}.

Question 8

Explain how fossil fuel use has had a detrimental effect on the environment with reference to the following:

Habitat degradation: {2}
Air quality reduction: {2}

Answer 8

Habitat Degradation – Habitats can be destroyed through the mining and transportation of fossil fuels. If the mining is long-term then workers often build roads and housing in an area which was earlier untouched, therefore changing the use of the land.

Air Quality Reduction – The burning of fossil fuels creates emissions such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. This air pollution can create acid rain which can weaken plant species and alter the pH of soils. {2}