Climate change and energy production Flashcards
1
Q
what factors affect the energy choices for a country (3)
A
- availability of supply (climate, products - oil)
- politics (potential conflict can increase the price of energy sources)
- technological development (wind power, shale oil)
- economics (cheap/ expensive)
- cultural attitudes (reluctance to change to electric cars)
- sustainability (only renewable sources are sustainable making up a small % of the world energy supply)
- environmental considerations
(considerations of different resources, backlash against nuclear power) - infrastructure availability
2
Q
what is energy security
A
the ability to secure affordable, reliable and sufficient energy supplies for the needs of a particular country
3
Q
what is energy conservation
A
the prevention of the wasteful use of energy, especially in order to ensure its continuing availability.
4
Q
name 3 factors that give a nation greater energy security
A
Any 3 from:
- a windy climate
- An MEDC
- large oil fields in the country
- advanced knowledge of and tech for nuclear fission
- a sunny climate
- a nation with a wide coastline
- geologically active land
5
Q
name 3 factors that give a nation lower energy security
A
- most energy from fossil fuel imports
- a cold climate: little sunlight and wind
- most energy supplied via renewable from a slightly politically hostile nation
6
Q
describe chinas energy mix
A
- 1/3 is coal
- 20% oil
- largest renewable source is hydroelectric
7
Q
why is china developing a strategic petroleum reserve + what is this?
A
so they will be protected to a certain extent from fluctuations in the global oil price which can arise from a variety of reasons
an emergency fuel store of oil designed to stabilize the domestic economy in times of supply disruptions
8
Q
describe uk’s energy mix
A
- a wider range of energy sources
- equal amounts of oil and gas usage
- nuclear is the largest renewable source used (7.8%)
9
Q
what is the reason for the UK’s reliance on energy imports
A
The discovery of gas beneath the North Sea meant that by 1980 22% of the UK’s energy came from gas. The use of nuclear power increased during the 1990s. However, a decline in reserves of oil and gas now means the UK is reliant on imported fossil fuels.
10
Q
what is the hydrogen economy + problem
A
when hydrogen is a fuel that provides energy for transport, industry and electrical generation. It is highly flammable and difficult to transport and store
11
Q
what is nuclear fission + problem
A
involves splitting heavier nuclei into lighter nuclei releasing energy. In theory this works, but is not feasible yet
12
Q
what is the rough figure for when we will run out of:
- oil
- coal
- gas
A
oil = 100 years
coal = 230 years
gas = 170 years
13
Q
what is meant by energy crisis?
A
in the future, as non-renewable fuel reserves decrease, humans will have to source energy from other sources unless we can revert to other sources with a small population
14
Q
what are the 4 non-renewable energy sources
A
- coal
- oil
- natural gas
- nuclear fission
15
Q
Explain where coal comes from and how it is used
A
- originates from ancient plant matter that was buried and transformed over millions of years by heat and pressure
- burned to provide heat directly or electricity to create steam-driven turbines in power stations
16
Q
3 adv of coal
A
adv:
- easy to transport as a solid
- relatively cheap to mine and convert into energy by burning
- plentiful supply
17
Q
3 disadv of coal
A
disadv:
- non-renewable (cannot be replaced once used)
- burning releases C02 which is a greenhouse gas
- Burning sulphur forms sulphur dioxide which causes acid rain and deposition
18
Q
Explain where oil comes from and how it is used
A
- fossilised plants and micro-organisms that are compressed to a liquid and found in porous rocks
- crude oil is refined oil from fractional distillation -> to give a variety of products
- extracted by oil wells, or by underground oil fields through pipes that are drilled down to the sea bed
- most for the world economy runs and depends on oil for transport and to generate electricity
19
Q
Explain where natural gas comes from and how it is used
A
- methane gas and other hydrocarbons are trapped between seams of rocks
- extracted by drilling
- used directly in homes to produce domestic heating and cooking
20
Q
3 adv of natural gas
A
- lot of energy gained from it
- cleaner fuel than coal and oil
- relatively cheap form of energy
21
Q
3 disadv of natural gas
A
- only limited supply, but more that oil
- also gives of C02, but less that coal and oil
- about 7- years left of natural gas usage
22
Q
Explain where nuclear fission comes from and how it is formed
A
- uranium is the raw material that is mined
- this is radioactive and is split in nuclear reactor by bombarding it with neutrons
- as it splits, massive amounts of energy is released
23
Q
3 adv of nuclear fission
A
- raw materials are relatively cheap once the raector is built and can last a long time
- small mass of radioactive material produces huge amounts of energy
- no carbon dioxide or other pollutants released (unless there are accidents)
24
Q
3 disadv of nuclear fission
A
- nuclear waste is highly toxic for a long time
- needs to be stored for thousands of years, in mine shafts or under the sea
- nuclear accidents are rare but are extremely detrimental (Chernobyl, Ukraine 1986)
25
where does hydroelectric power come from and how is it used?
- energy harnessed from the movement of water through rivers, lakes and dams to power turbines and generate electricity
26
3 adv of HEP
- created water reserves as well as energy supplies
- high quality energy output, with low energy input
- reservoirs used for amenity
27
3 disadv of HEP
- costly to build
- have to relocate people to flood the area
- have major environmental issues with the life cycles of marine animals
28
where does biomass come from and how is it used?
- decaying organic waste is used to produce methane in biogas generators
- more processing can give oils (palm oil, sugar cane oil) which can be used as fuel in vehicles instead of diesel fuel
29
2 adv of biomass
- cheap and readily available
- if crops are replanted, biomass can be used for a long time
30
3 disadv of biomass
- maybe replacing food crops on finite cropland and lead to starvation
- when burned, it still releases atmospheric pollutants
- if crops are not replanted, it is now non-renewable
31
where does wood come from and what is it used for
- from felling or coppicing trees
- burned to generate heat and light
32
2 adv of wood
- cheap and readily available
- if the trees are replaced, wood can be a long term resource
33
3 disadv of wood
- low-heat of combustion -> not much energy released
- when burned it releases atmospheric pollutants
- if the trees are not replaced, wood can be a non-renewable resource
34
how do we get solar energy?
from the conversion of solar radiation into energy via chemical energy
35
3 adv of solar energy
- potentially infinite supply
- safe to use
- single dwellings can have their own energy supply
36
3 disadv of solar energy
- need sunshine, do not work in the dark
- need maintenance regularly
- manufacture and implementation can be costly
37
Describe projected growth and global energy demand
A major growth in the use of coal, oil and gas, with the slow rise of renewable energy resources
38
Describe regional energy consumption patterns
A huge use in coal, oil, natural gas
39
Describe global energy use distribution
Majority of global energy usage is in higher income countries such as North America, Europe, Middle East and Australia. Least amount of global energy use is in lower income countries such as sub Sahara and Africa and Southeast Asia
40
What are the three case studies for energy security choices
-Ukraine – Russia gas disputes
-USA shale oil
-wind turbines in Denmark
41
Summarise the Ukraine – Russia gas disputes briefly
-After the break up of the USSR, Russia exported gas to Ukraine at below market prices
-80% of Russian gas flows through Ukraine to other European countries
-in 2006, Russia cut off supplies to Ukraine as they are not paid their debts and we're using gas intended for the rest of Europe for themselves
-this dispute continued until 2010 when an agreement was signed
42
Summarise the USA shale oil briefly
-Tight oil is oil that is held tightly in rocks and is not economical to extract
-but with new technologies (fracking) and high oil prices, it has become economic to extract
-since 2008 tight oil production has increased from 600,000 to 3,500,000 barrels a day
-some estimates that the USA will become the largest exporter by pumping 11.6 million barrels a day of crude oil
-this has increased fossil fuel security
43
Summarise wind turbines in Denmark briefly
- kinetic energy is converted in the wind to mechanical energy which drives a wind turbine to produce electricity
- Denmark produces over 30% of its energy requirements from wind energy
- in the 1970s, the majority of Denmark's energy was some coal-fired power stations but the government wanted to reduce carbon emissions therefore there was a ban on nuclear power plants and wind power was seen as the solution
- Wind speeds in Denmark are not particularly high however shallow waters offshore can be cited and linked to the national grid
-Denmark can buy electricity from neighbouring countries if the wind drops and sell it if their own demand is less than that generated
44
3 pros of wind energy
- efficient use of land space
- low operating costs
- can work in multiple settings
45
3 cons of wind energy
- noise and visual pollution
- construction can cause local disturbances
- reliant on wind to work
46
pro of tidal energy
- minimal env impact
47
3 cons of tidal energy
- initial cost is very high
- effect on animals and plants living near tidal stations
- very few suitable sites for constructing barrages
48
2 pros of wave energy
- reliable
- zero emissions
49
2 cons of wave energy
- scalability
- high costs
50
3 pros of geothermal
- small land footprint
- geothermal infrastructure has longevity
- can be used in countries that have an abundance of geothermal vents and volcanoes
51
2 cons of geothermal
- high initial costs
- can lead to surface instability
52
what is the case study for oil extraction in Canada
Oil sands in the Athabasca region, Alberta
53
Oil sands in Athabasca facts (4)
- rich in bitumen used to make roads
- oil sands cover 54,000 miles of land
- mines by open-pit method that destroys vegetation and changes the shape of the landscape
- increases carbon emissions in Canada
54
What are biofuels, and why are they considered greener?
Biofuels are fuels made from crops. They are considered greener because they are carbon-neutral: the carbon dioxide emitted from burning them is offset by the carbon absorbed during plant growth.
55
What types of crops are used for biofuels?
Crops like sugarcane (for ethanol in Brazil), maize (heavily subsidized in the USA), and oily plants like palm and soybean (for biodiesel) are used for biofuels.
56
What are some environmental problems caused by biofuel production?
Problems include:
- Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- deforestation and habitat loss
- Increased irrigation for biofuel crops can exacerbate existing water scarcity issues, especially in regions with already limited water resources
57
What are the consequences of biofuel production for food and land use?
Biofuel crops compete with food crops, leading to reduced food production. For example, U.S. farmers use 20% of maize for biofuels instead of food. In Brazil, more soybeans are grown for export, leading to cattle ranching and deforestation in the Amazon.
58
What solutions are proposed for addressing biofuel issues?
Suggested solutions include:
Recalculating the total carbon costs for both fossil fuels and biofuels.
Using alternative biofuels like cellulosic ethanol from wood chips, switchgrass, or straw, which produce fewer carbon emissions
59
Why is it challenging to implement changes to biofuel policies?
Changes are difficult because subsidies and legislation are already in place, creating inertia in the system. Transitioning requires effort and time to avoid increased emissions or land competition.
60
define weather
describes the atmospheric conditions at a specific place at a specific point in time
61
define climate
describes the average long term conditions expected at a specific place at a given time
62
what is similar between climate and weather
both affected by the ocean and atmospheric circulatory system, i.e. clouds, forest fires, volcanic eruptions (global cooling) and human activities
63
what is climate change
a long-term climatic change that has always happened. It is influenced by fluctuations in solar insolation affecting temperature, and changing proportions of atmospheric gases released by organisms.
64
are shorter or longer periods of time on a graph more accurate
longer periods of time is more accurate
65
what is a disadvantage of having an average on a graph
doesn’t show individual variations but only a global average
66
what causes global movement of winds
global movement of winds mainly from rotation of the Earth and differences in the amount of solar radiation received in tropical and polar latitudes
67
what are the different cells in the global circulation of the atmosphere in order from the north to the south polar regions
- Polar cell
- Ferrel cell
- Hadley cell
- Hadley cell
- Ferrel cell
- Polar cell
68
what is the process of global circulation in the Hadley cells
- hot, warm air rises along the equator
- as they rise, they cool and expand to form clouds by condensation
- these clouds precipitate and flow to areas of low pressure
- at lower pressures, the cooler air sinks back down to the surface and warms again
69
where are the Hadley cells located
- 30 degrees north and south of the equator
- the largest cells by volume
70
what is the process of global circulation in the Ferrel cells
- warm air rises at the polar front to form clouds and precipitate
71
where are the ferrel cells located
- 50 to 60 degrees north and south of the equator
72
where are the polar cells located
- over the polar regions
- the smallest and weakest of three cell systems
73
what is the process of global circulation in the polar cells
- air at high altitudes sinks and flows towards lower latitudes at the surface
74
what are ocean currents?
massive movements of water in a continuous flow created largely by surface winds and partly by temperature and salinity gradients by Earth’s rotation and tides
75
where do major ocean currents flow
- Major currents flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere, in circular patterns that follow the coastline
76
where do warm ocean currents flow
warm ocean currents flow from warm tropical to cold polar regions. They increase temperatures in teh maritime environments where they flow
77
where do cold currents flow
cold currents flow outwards from cold polar regions towards the tropics. They lower the temperature of the maritime regions where they flow
78
where is the gulf stream
a warm ocean current originating from the Gulf of Mexico that brings warm ocean currents to European maritime countries
79
what is the previous evidence of natural climate change?
melting glaciers and ice sheets
declining snow and sea ice cover
80
what are the natural causes of climate change?
- slow variations in the Earth’s orbit
- slow changes in the angle of the earth’s axis
- changes in the albedo of the earth and atmosphere
- changes in the long wave radiation returned to space
- carbon dioxide levels from geological times to the present
- changes in solar radiation
81
how have slow variations in the earths orbit contributed to climate change?
- glacial periods have occurred when the Earth’s orbit has been mostly circular, and interglacials or warmer periods when the orbit has been more elliptical in shape
82
how have changes in the albedo of the earth and atmosphere contributed to climate change?
reductions in albedo have increased climate change as less insolation is refelcted howver increasing albedo levels have helped to deflect climate change
83
how have changes in solar radiation contributed to climate change
the total amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface can change due to changes in the sun’s output (sunspots). Every 11 years the sun changes the amount of solar radiation it outputs affecting climate change
84
what are the Milankovitch cycles
a model to show how the tilt of the Earth changes over time, affecting how the sun radiation is spread out
85
what is the enhanced greenhouse effect
as humans increase emissions of some greenhouse gases -> greenhouse effect is enhanced
86
what are the six greenhouse gases
- water vapour
- carbon dioxide
- methane
- CFCs
- oxides of nitrogen
- ozone
87
what are the effects of water vapour on our climate
- has the greatest effect of trapping heat energy
- contributes to 50% of the greenhouse effect
88
what are the effects of C02 on our climate
- accounts for the second largest share of greenhouse gases, after water vapour
- produced by burning fossil fuels in power stations, factories and homes
- global C02 emissions into the burning of fossil fuels grew at 3.1% a year between 2000 and 2006§
89
where does methane come from and name 1effect of methane on our climate
- it is released from decaying plant matter and animal remains and from farms (from cattle and rice paddy fields).
- Methane has a current annual increase of 1% in its impact towards global warming
90
what are the effects of CFCs on our climate
- synthetic chemicals that destroy the ozone as well as absorbing longwave radiation
- in aerosols, refrigerators, foam-packaging and air-conditioning systems
- CFCs have a lifetime of about 20-100 years
- although the development of CFCs no longer exist, the damage of the ozone layer will continue for years to come
91
where do nitrogen oxides come from and state one way they can be reduced
- main sources from power stations and vehicle emissions
- catalytic converters fitted to cars can decrease production of these harmful compounds
92
what are the effects of ozone on our climate
- naturally occurring ozone is found in the stratosphere, called the ‘good’ ozone
- it protects the earth from UV radiation
- the ‘bad’ ozone in the troposphere is human-made due to vehicle air pollution and power plant emissions.
- In Europe, it is thought to be increasing by 1-2% each year
93
how many more times harmful is methane compared to C02
21 times
94
what are the trends between pre-industrial to present concentrations for GHGs
all have increased over time
95
what are the natural sources of methane
- swamps and bogs
- cattle
- the tundra
96
what are other sources of methane
- cattle
- rice paddy fields
- waste tips
97
what are the impacts of climate change (5)
- biome shift
- change in location of crop-growing areas
- change in weather patterns
- coastal inundation (flooded)
- human health (i.e. increase in stagnant water = mosquitos = malaria)
98
briefly describe how climate change affects biome?
- increased melting of permafrost formed 11000years ago in arctic areas = will release billions of tonnes of methane
- Earth's tropical belt is expanding north and south, affecting agriculture, water supplies and increasing the risk of tropical diseases
- increased risk of coral bleaching, as coral systems are susceptible to climate change
- stunting the growth of species, i.e. polar bears
99
briefly describe how climate change affects weather patterns?
- rising probability of heatwaves
- regions that experience high amounts of rainfall are expected to receive more, whilst regions that receive low amounts are expected to receive less
- increasing frequency of el Niño
100
briefly describe how climate change affects the location of crop-growing areas
- biomes shift to the poles
- higher temp = crop yields of barely, wheat and corn decreased by 3-5% for every 0.50º temp increase
- food shortages could begin conflicts
101
briefly describe how climate change affects coastal inundation
- most of the world’s major cities are built on coastlines and thus subject to flooding and rising sea levels
102
briefly describe how climate change affects human health concerns
IPCC concluded that climate change will cause:
- increased heat-related mortality and morbidity
- decreased cold-related mortality
- greater frequency of infectious diseases
- increased population displacement from increased storm activity
103
what is the case study for the affects climate change poses?
Mongolia
104
what are the weather issues in Mongolia? (4)
- the mean monthly temperature is below 1ºC over the whole country between November and March
- uneven precipitation
- strong winds result in high evaporation and erosion
- low soil moisture and humidity impact agricultural production
105
how has climate change affected weather patterns in Mongolia?
- the average temperature has increased by 2.14ºC
- above average precipitation was recorded in winter and below average in summer, which is concerning for a country with large amounts of arid and semi-arid areas
- increase the occurrence of droughts in the summer
- increase in dust and sand storms
- 22-32% of rivers and lakes have dried up
106
what is mitigation
| link to cliamte change
aims tackle the root cause of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions
107
how can we **mitigate** against climate change
- reduicng sources of these gases
- enhainking sinks that accumulate and store these gases
108
what is adaptation
| link to climate change
- adapting to life in a changing climate - involes adjusting to actual or expected future climate
- to reduce vulnerability to harmful effects of climate change
109
How can the strategies against climate change be catagorised (3 catagories)
- international commitments
- national actions
- personal lifestyle changes
110
what are the 3 main ways to mitigate against climate change
- stabilising GHGs
- Geoengineering
- capturing carbon
111
name 3 ways of stabilising GHGs
- switching to hybrid or electric car
- set national limits of GHG production
- chnaging lifestyles and business oractices (e.g. using less private trabnsport, eating less meat)
112
name 3 methods of capturing carbon
- carbon capture and sequestration: suitable rocks have to be found, where C02 can be pumped into it under high pressure
- use more biomass as a source of fuel: an equal amount of C02 that is released by burning can be captured through photosynthesis
- increasing the rate of photosynthesis: by reforesting and decreasing deforestation rates
113
what is geoengineering
large scale intervention to mitigate aginst climate change
114
name 3 methods of geoengineering
| using Solar radiation management techniques:
- stratospheric aerosols: releasing small reflective particles into the upper atmosphere to reflect a certain amount of insolation before it reaches the Earth's surface
- albedo enhancement: increasing the reflectiveness of surfaces (i.e. whitening roofs)
- space reflectors: placed outside the Earth's atmosphere before reaching the earths surface
115
name 3 carbon dioxide removal techniques
- ocean fertilisation
- afforestation
- carbon capture and sequestration
116
name 3 government measures that can be done to mitigate climate change
- improve and encourage the usage of public transport
- set a high tax level on petrol
- promote investment into renewable energy resources
117
name 3 Individual measures that can be done to mitigate climate change
- pracice car pooling
- use a bicycle for short to moderate distance journeys
- Buy low fuel emission cars
118
name 3 forms of adaptation against climate change
- build flood defences to resist flooding
- chang eland use through planning legislation
- manage water supplies (desalination plants/increase reservoirs)
119
what are 2 adaptation strategies against emerging diseases
- vaccinate against waterborne diseases (e.g. typhoid)
- monitoring the spread of tropical disease
120
what are the adaptations for improving building design
- improved air conditioning and circulation in buildings build in the temperate zone
121
what is example of a NAPA project
- Tanzania has received support from NAPA for funding projects such as:
-> Shifting shallow water wells so they are not affected by saltwater from the seas when it floods
-> Combating malaria in newly mosquito-infested areas
122
what are the differences in opinion of climate costs
- LEDCs believe that their current climate problem comes from industrialisation in MEDCs, so they should pay most of the bill
- MEDCs argue that current emissions come from NICs, especially China and India, so they should pay most of the costs
