Chapter 3

Question 1

State the Brundtland Commission definition of sustainable development. {2}

Answer 1

Sustainable development is the kind of development that meets the needs of the present [1] without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [1].

Question 2

Outline why the Brundtland Commission’s definition of sustainability has encouraged some governments to reduce their use of fossil fuels. {1}

Answer 2

Some governments are now more aware of their responsibilities with regard to their current use of fossil fuels. {1}

Question 3

The Brundtland report defines sustainability as ‘the ability to meet the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. Our Common Future (1987).

With reference to this definition, state the main European, UK and NI government targets with regards to the continued use of fossil fuels as an energy source, as we approach 2020. {3}

Answer 3

Answer to make reference to the following three government targets;

1. 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions. {1}
2. 20% increase in energy produced using renewable sources. {1}
3. 20% cut in energy consumption. {1}

Question 4

State the Northern Ireland targets for 2020 aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. {1}

Answer 4

Northern Ireland’s target for 2020 aims to acquire 40% of electricity from alternative energy sources, reducing the dependency on coal,
oil and gas.

Question 5

Identify the three main components of the European 2020 targets (3)

Answer 5

Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 20% by 2020 taking 1990 emissions as the reference. [1]

Increase energy efficiency to save 20% of energy consumption by 2020. [1]

To reach 20% of renewable energy in the total energy consumption
by 2020. [1]

Question 6

Assess the validity of using nuclear energy as a viable alternative to both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. {5}

Answer 6

Answer:
Reference should be made to the relative energy densities of a fossil fuel {1}, renewable source {1} and nuclear source {1}.

Answers should provide details of how fossil fuels {1} and renewable sources {1} compare to nuclear energy.

Question 7

Discuss the use of nuclear power stations as a viable alternative to coal fired power stations. Your discussion should focus on two different factors. {4}

Answer 7

• Energy density: Nuclear fuels have a very high energy density (compared with coal) so very small quantities are required. This reduces transport and storage requirements. (2)

• Greenhouse gas emissions: Nuclear power stations produce little or no greenhouse gases so they do not contribute to global warming. They do not rely on combustion to release energy (unlike coal). (2)

Question 8

Outline two different reasons why nuclear fuel may be seen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. {4}

Answer 8

1: Nuclear fuel does not release greenhouse gases during electricity production. This will help countries reach their targets for cutting emissions/it will slow down the rate of global warming. [2]

2: Nuclear fuel has a high energy density. Less fuel is required to generate the same quantity of electricity which reduces the number of power stations required/reduces the amount of mining required. [2]

Question 9

Explain the term Energy Density. {1}

Answer 9

Energy density is the amount of energy stored in a given system or region of space per unit volume or mass.

Question 10

Discuss one method which could be used by a government to reduce the use of fossil fuels. {2}

Answer 10

• Renewable energy sources need to be used [1] for example renewable technologies such as wind farms and solar farms as these technologies can produce energy without using fossil fuels. [1]