Chapter 3 Flashcards
What is the definition of sustainable development
To ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
What is the name of the report that the Brundtland commission released
Our common future
What where the main aims of the Brundtland commission
To increase each nations cooperation and awareness of the damaging effects of human activity on planet earth
Why where developed given nations tougher targets to reach than other nations
Because they had caused more damage over the last 150 years
What is the name of the protocol that put all the carbon emission targets in place
The Kyoto protocol and it took place in 1997 but didn’t come into effect until 2005
What where the EU targets for improving energy efficiency
Achieve 20% of its final energy consumption from renewables by 2020
Reduce energy use by 20%
Decrease greenhouse emissions by 20%
What was the UK targets for improving energy efficiency
Have 15% of final consumption of energy from renewables
What was NI target for improving energy efficiency
By 2020 they should have achieved 40% of its electricity from renewables
Why do nations need to prioritise renewable energy development
If they continue to use fossil fuels they are not guaranteed fuel security
Nations with supply of fossil fuels are volatile and may cause war over them
The amount of energy required in the future means that nations will no longer be able to rely on fossil fuels for things like electricity
3 ways a nation can reduce energy consumption
Energy performance certificates- these can be put on fridges and freezers and remind ppl how much energy they are using.
Tax cars and other fuel using machines- heavy polluting cars could be taxed more meaning ppl use less polluting cars that don’t use as much fuel
Bans on low efficiency devices- if all houses switch to highly efficient light bulbs the effect will be a significant reduction of electric requirements across the grid
Compare energy density of nuclear power compared to fossil fuels and renewables
Nuclear power is far more dense that renewable energy and fossil fuels this means u need less of it to power the same amount.
Nuclear 83,000,000MJ/kg
Fossil fuel 30MJ/kg
Renewable 18MJ/kg
Compare greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear to fossil fuels and renewable energy
Nuclear produces nearly zero green house gas emissions
Fossil fuels all emit harmful green house gases which causes pollution
Renewable energy most produce zero however biomass produces Co2 but it is considered carbon neutral
Compare the safety of nuclear energy, fossil fuels and renewable energy
Nuclear energy- if a nuclear power plant fails the results can be devastating it can cause death and all sorts of problems
Fossil fuels- power plants using fossil fuels are all relatively safe provided safety precautions are maintained any damage can be localised
Renewable energy- these are very stable systems unless some major system failure occurs
Compare the cost of nuclear power, renewable energy and fossil fuels
Nuclear- the cost to build a nuclear plant is very high and it is very hard to gain planning permission, they also have very high decommissioning costs
Fossil fuel- these plants are more expensive that renewable energy power plants
Renewable energy- the cost of this can very depending on the size of the project
Compare the health problems with nuclear power, fossil fuels and renewable energy
Nuclear- waste can be thrown off when there is an explosion, this can cause death cancer and birth defects, even in no explosion the waste needs to be stored for decades after the plant is shut down
Fossil fuels- dangerous gases and particulates are put into the atmosphere this is mainly with coal and its can cause things like cancer
Renewable energy- there is generally limited impact on people’s health, any issues are usually addressed in the planning stages such as shadow flicker
