Chapter 2: Counting The Cost Of Reliance On Fossil Fuels.

Question 1

When did fossil fuel use start to increase?

Answer 1

1800s

Question 2

Which fossil fuel type provided a huge proportion of the energy used up to 1920?

Answer 2

Coal - it was used to heat houses etc.

Question 3

Are there any disadvantages of using this type of fossil fuel?

Answer 3

This fossil fuel affects people’s health substantially.

Question 4

Why did the use of fossil fuels increase greatly after WW2 ended in 1945?

Answer 4

They were used as the main energy source of most everyday things.

Question 5

What are the reasons why fossil fuel usage has increased significantly in recent decades?

Answer 5

• Increase in the world’s population.
• Increase in the number of goods and services.
• Increased travel.
• capitalism.

Question 6

Which 2 nations dominated the world economy around 2,000 years ago?

Answer 6

China and India.

Question 7

Which countries have dominated the work economy since the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 7

North America, Japan and European Nations.

Question 8

Which nations are going to loose out in terms of top economies from 2019 to 2050?

Answer 8

France, Italy and Canada.

Question 9

Which nations with gain in terms of top economies from 2019 to 2050?

Answer 9

Mexico, Indonesia and Russia.

Question 10

What is the strength of China, in terms of its economy since the aftermath of WW2 to the present day?

Answer 10

China did not make it into the top 10 economy list in 1980.
They then made it to 2nd in the present day.

Question 11

How is China’s economy expected to change from the present day to 2050?

Answer 11

They are expected to become 1st in the economy ranking.

Question 12

What is the trend in demand for renewable energy?

Answer 12

It is rising.

Question 13

What 2 factors contribute to the trend in demand for renewable energy?

Answer 13

The supply of fossil fuels is decreasing and the global energy demand is rising.

Question 14

What is fuel security?

Answer 14

The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.

Question 15

What does the key point uninterrupted availability mean?

Answer 15

Energy should always be available when required.

Question 16

What does the key point affordable prices refer to?

Answer 16

This deals with the fuel source being affordable. There is no benefit in having an uninterrupted availability of an energy type if it is much too expensive.

Question 17

What are the top 5 nations in rank order of their coal reserves?

Answer 17

1. USA
2. Russia
3. China
4. Australia
5. India

Question 18

What are the top 5 nations in rank order of crude oil reserves?

Answer 18

1. Venezuela
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Canada
4. Iran
5. Iraq

Question 19

What are the top 5 nations in rank order of natural gas reserves?

Answer 19

1. Russia
2. Iran
3. Qatar
4. Turkmenistan
5. USA

Question 20

What is the oil crisis of the 1970s?

Answer 20

This is where the USA supported Israel in the war in the Middle East. This was met with outrage from Arab nations, members of the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) stoped the export of crude oil to the USA and the West. This triggered an international energy crisis where prices of crude oil increased from $3 to $12 per barrel.

Question 21

What are some effects of the oil crisis?

Answer 21

1. Petrol and diesel shortages.
2. Car manufacturing switching to smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles.
3. Britain began to drill for crude oil in the North Sea.
4. Developed nations began to consider energy conservation including alternate forms of energy.

Question 22

What year was there a spike in crude oil and natural gas production, and why did this drop?

Answer 22

There was a spike in production during the 2000s, but since Britain began to extract these fossil fuels from the North Sea they have dropped significantly.

Question 23

When do Britain aim to switch to renewable energy sources?

Answer 23

Britain aim to end sales of new diesel and petrol cars in 2030 and 2040 respectively. They aim to reduce the nation’s reliance on crude oil imports thereby increasing fuel security. They will use the oil crisis as a constant reminder to reduce crude oil use.

Question 24

What are the environmental impacts resulting from the global use of fossil fuels?

Answer 24

• Habitat Degradation
• Impact on Biodiversity
• Air Quality Reduction
• Land and Water Contamination

Question 25

How does Habitat Degradation effect the environment?

Answer 25

Trees may be cut down to exploit coal, crude oil and natural gas reserves. The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere due to the combustion of fossil fuels has increased average temperatures on this plant, this causes polar ice caps to melt resulting in sea levels rising.

Question 26

How does the Impact on Biodiversity effect the environment?

Answer 26

When some species lose their habitat, they are unable to survive so they can be killed so the food chains will alter significantly which can lead to further loss of biodiversity.

Question 27

How does Air Quality Reduction affect the environment?

Answer 27

The combustion of fossil fuels releases harmful gases into the atmosphere such as sulphur dioxide, which leads to acid rain. They also release nitrogen oxide and soot particles that are dangerous to breathe in.

Question 28

How does Land and Water Contamination affect the environment?

Answer 28

When fossil fuels are extracted from mines, quite often spillages take place that contaminated the land. This can make the ground dangerous for a long period of time which can affect cattle and growing crops. These spillages can also entering the sea which can then effect the health of many sea creatures causing death in many cases.