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Climate change and energy production Flashcards

1
Q

what factors affect the energy choices for a country

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
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2
Q

what is energy security

A

the ability to secure affordable, reliable and sufficient energy supplies for the needs of a particular country

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3
Q

what is energy conservation

A

a factor that can limit growth in energy demand and contribute to energy security but it only has a small impact on total use at the moment

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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

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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
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6
Q

describe chinas energy mix

A
  • 1/3 is coal
  • 20% oil
  • largest renewable source is hydroelectric
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7
Q

why is china developing a strategic petroleum reserve

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

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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%)
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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.

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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

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11
Q

what is nuclear fission + problem

A

involves extracting heavy water (deuterium) from water and 2 hydrogen atoms to make helium. In theory this works, but is not feasible yet

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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

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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

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14
Q

what are the 4 non-renewable energy sources

A
  • coal
  • oil
  • natural gas
  • nuclear fission
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15
Q

Explain where coal comes from and how it is used

A
  • fossilised plants are laid down in the Carboniferous period
  • mined from seams of coal between other types of rock from mines or large pits
  • burned to provide heat directly or electricity to create steam-driven turbines in power stations
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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

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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

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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
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19
Q

2 adv of coal

A
  • high heat of combustion, therefore it has many uses
  • once found, it is relatively easy to mine and to convert into energy
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20
Q

3 disadv of coal

A
  • only limited supply
  • oil spill danger from tanker accidents
  • may run out in 20-50 years
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21
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
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22
Q

3 adv of natural gas

A
  • lot of energy gained from it
  • cleaner fuel than coal and oil
  • relatively cheap form of energy
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23
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
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24
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
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25
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)
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26
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)
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27
Q

where does hydroelectric power come from and how is it used?

A
  • energy harnessed from the movement of water through rivers, lakes and dams to power turbines and generate electricity
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28
Q

3 adv of HEP

A
  • created water reserves as well as energy supplies
  • high quality energy output, with low energy input
  • reservoirs used for amenity
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29
Q

3 disadv of HEP

A
  • costly to build
  • have to relocate people to flood the area
  • have major environmental issues with the life cycles of marine animals
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30
Q

where does biomass come from and how is it used?

A
  • decaying organic plant animal waste is used to produce methane in biogas generators and burned directly a dung/ plant material
  • more processing can give oils (palm oil, sugar cane oil) which can be used as fuel in vehicles instead of diesel fuel
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31
Q

2 adv of biomass

A
  • cheap and readily available
  • if crops are replanted, biomass can be used for a long time
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32
Q

3 disadv of biomass

A
  • 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
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33
Q

where does wood come from and what is it used for

A
  • from felling or coppicing trees
  • burned to generate heat and light
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34
Q

2 adv of wood

A
  • cheap and readily available
  • if the trees are replaced, wood can be a long term resource
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35
Q

3 disadv of wood

A
  • 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
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36
Q

how do we get solar energy?

A

from the conversion of solar radiation into energy via chemical energy

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37
Q

3 adv of solar energy

A
  • potentially infinite supply
  • safe to use
  • single dwellings can have their own energy supply
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38
Q

3 disadv of solar energy

A
  • need sunshine, do not work in the dark
  • need maintenance regularly
  • manufacture and implementation can be costly
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39
Q

Explain, using specific nations as examples, how future changing energy uses could lead to conflict

A

-Middle East controls 60% of global remaining oil reserves
-USA possesses less than 2% of global oil reserves yet consumes more than 200 million barrels of oil per day
-therefore USA has to source oil from overseas notably the Middle East, giving the Middle East economic and political advantage
- Countries that need oil have to stay on friendly terms with those that supply it therefore they need to: -> ensure political stability in the Middle East
-> maintain global political links for the Middle East
-> involve the Middle East and economic cooperation

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40
Q

Describe projected growth and global energy demand

A

A major growth in the use of coal, oil and gas, with the slow rise of renewable energy resources

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41
Q

Describe regional energy consumption patterns

A

A huge use in coal, oil, natural gas

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42
Q

Describe global energy use distribution

A

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

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43
Q

What are the three case studies for energy security choices

A

-Ukraine – Russia gas disputes
-USA shale oil
-wind turbines in Denmark

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44
Q

Summarise the Ukraine – Russia gas disputes briefly

A

-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

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45
Q

Summarise the USA shale oil briefly

A

-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

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46
Q

Summarise wind turbines in Denmark briefly

A
  • Wind energy converts kinetic energy in the wind to mechanical energy which strives 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 when power was seen as the solution
  • Wind speeds in Denmark are not particularly high however shadow 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
  • One disadvantage of wind power is you need wind
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47
Q

Roughly and how many years will we run out of coal, gas, oil?

A

Coal – in 230 years
Gas – in 170 years
Oil – in 100 years

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48
Q

3 pros of wind energy

A
  • efficient use of land space
  • low operating costs
  • can work in multiple settings
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49
Q

3 cons of wind energy

A
  • noise and visual pollution
  • construction can cause local disturbances
  • reliant on wind to work
50
Q

pro of tidal energy

A
  • more powerful energy source than wind
51
Q

3 cons of tidal energy

A
  • initial cost is very high
  • effect on animals and plants living near tidal stations
  • very few suitable sites for constructing barrages
52
Q

2 pros of wave energy

A
  • reliable
  • zero emissions
53
Q

2 cons of wave energy

A
  • scalability
  • high costs
54
Q

3 pros of geothermal

A
  • small land footprint
  • geothermal infrastructure has longevity
  • can be used in countries that have an abundance of geothermal vents and volcanoes
55
Q

2 cons of geothermal

A
  • high initial costs
  • can lead to surface instability
56
Q

what is nuclear power

A

Use of fission reactors (uranium is bombarded with neutrons) to make it unstable so it splits apart to release energy to heat water to produce steam to turn a turbine

57
Q

nuclear power pros (6)

A
  • emission-free
  • sustainable
  • has a small footprint
  • 50% of USA power is from nuclear power
  • big investment in smaller reactors that are safer, cheaper, portable and easier to operate
  • can be used 24/7, whereas other renewable sources (like solar) can only be used at a specific time
  • can be operated remotely -> reduce risk to human life
58
Q

nuclear power cons (3)

A
  • produces radioactive nuclear waste
  • changed perspective against nuclear power due to accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima
  • expensive
59
Q

what is the case study for oil extraction in Canada

A

Oil sands in the Athabasca region, Alberta

60
Q

Oil sands in Athabasca facts

A
  • rich in bitumen used to make roads
  • it costs $30 for one barrel of oil
  • oil sands cover 54,000 miles of land
  • This area is home to boreal forests and muskeg ecosystems ( a type of peat bog with acidic conditions so vegetation is semi-decomposed)
  • habitat to beavers, pitcher plants and mosses, caribou, deer, and humans
  • the amount of oil in oil sands is roughly equal to all the world’s reserves put together
  • mines by open-pit method that destroys vegetation and changes the shape of the landscape
  • takes one barrel of natural gas for one barrel of crude oil
  • increases carbon emissions in Canada
61
Q

What are biofuels, and why are they considered greener?

A

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.

62
Q

What types of crops are used for biofuels?

A

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.

63
Q

What has been the impact of biofuel production in the USA and EU?

A

In the USA, ethanol production has increased five-fold due to subsidies. In the EU, regulations require that fuels contain at least 2.5% biofuel, with a target of 10% by 2020.

64
Q

What are some environmental problems caused by biofuel production?

A

Problems include:

  • Additional carbon costs for extraction and transport.
  • The use of oil-based fertilizers, which release nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.
  • Land use changes like deforestation, drained wetlands, and converted grasslands.
65
Q

What are the consequences of biofuel production for food and land use?

A

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.

66
Q

What solutions are proposed for addressing biofuel issues?

A

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

67
Q

Why is it challenging to implement changes to biofuel policies?

A

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.

68
Q

3 adv of solar energy

A
  • potentially infinite supply
  • safe to use
  • single dwellings can have their own energy supply
69
Q

define weather

A

describes the atmospheric conditions at a specific place at a specific point in time

70
Q

define climate

A

describes the average long term conditions expected at a specific place at a given time

71
Q

what is similar between climate and weather

A

both affected by the ocean and atmospheric circulatory system, i.e. clouds, forest fires, volcanic eruptions (global cooling) and human activities

72
Q

what is climate change

A

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.

73
Q

what has to change for climate change to change

A

inputs and outputs have to change, e.g. heat input increases, heat output decreases, or both if the climate warms up

74
Q

are shorter or longer periods of time on a graph more accurate

A

longer periods of time is more accurate

75
Q

what is a disadvantage of having an average on a graph

A

doesn’t show individual variations but only a global average

76
Q

what causes global movement of winds

A

global movement of winds mainly from rotation of the Earth and differences in the amount of solar radiation received in tropical and polar latitudes

77
Q

what are the different cells in the global circulation of the atmosphere in order from the north to the south polar regions

A
  • Polar cell
  • Ferrel cell
  • Hadley cell
  • Hadley cell
  • Ferrel cell
  • Polar cell
78
Q

what is the process of global circulation in the Hadley cells

A
  • 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
79
Q

where are the Hadley cells located

A
  • 30 degrees north and south of the equator
  • the largest cells by volume
80
Q

what is the process of global circulation in the Ferrel cells

A
  • warm air rises at the polar front to form clouds and precipitate
81
Q

where are the ferrel cells located

A
  • 50 to 60 degrees north and south of the equator
82
Q

where are the polar cells located

A
  • over the polar regions
  • the smallest and weakest of three cell systems
83
Q

what is the process of global circulation in the polar cells

A
  • air at high altitudes sinks and flows towards lower latitudes at the surface
84
Q

what are ocean currents?

A

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

85
Q

where do major ocean currents flow

A
  • Major currents flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere, in circular patterns that follow the coastline
86
Q

where do warm ocean currents flow

A

warm ocean currents flow from warm tropical to cold polar regions. They increase temperatures in teh maritime environments where they flow

87
Q

where do cold currents flow

A

cold currents flow outwards from cold polar regions towards the tropics. They lower the temperature of the maritime regions where they flow

88
Q

where is the gulf stream

A

a warm ocean current originating from the Gulf of Mexico that brings warm ocean currents to European maritime countries

89
Q

what is the previous evidence of natural climate change?

A

Cycles of C02 are high and low in a cycle that spans about 50,000 years

90
Q

what are the natural causes of climate change?

A
  • 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
91
Q

how have slow variations in the earths orbit contributed to climate change?

A
  • 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
92
Q

how have slow changes in the angle of the earth’s axis contributed to climate change

A

the tilt of the Earth’s axis has varied in its plane of orbit in geological time by between 21.5 to 24.5 degrees

93
Q

how have changes in the albedo of the earth and atmosphere contributed to climate change?

A

changes in the Earth’s surface albedo occur naturally but climate forcing is also caused by anthropogenic reasons

94
Q

how have changes in the long wave radiation returned to space contributed to climate change?

A

the changing composition of the atmosphere is a major internal forcing mechanism of climate change, as it has significant impacts on the longwave radiation heading back to space

95
Q

how have carbon dioxide levels from geological times to the present contributed to climate change

A

C02, temperature and other atmospheric phenomena has changed over time, with past C02 concentrations being much higher than current value

96
Q

how have changes in solar radiation contributed to climate change

A

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

97
Q

what are the Milankovitch cycles

A

a model to show how the tilt of the Earth changes over time, affecting how the sun radiation is spread out

98
Q

what is the enhanced greenhouse effect

A

as humans increase emissions of some greenhouse gases -> greenhouse effect is enhanced

99
Q

what are the six greenhouse gases

A
  • water vapour
  • carbon dioxide
  • methane
  • CFCs
  • oxides of nitrogen
  • ozone
100
Q

what are the effects of water vapour on our climate

A
  • has the greatest effect of trapping heat energy
  • the impact of water in the atmosphere varies because of continuous changes in the state of water, vapour and ice
  • contributes to 50% of the greenhouse effect
101
Q

what are the effects of C02 on our climate

A
  • 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§
102
Q

what are the effects of methane on our climate

A
  • it is released from decaying plant matter and animal remains and from farms (from cattle and rice paddy fields).
  • Methane is the second largest contributor to global warming with a current annual increase of 1%
103
Q

what are the effects of CFCs on our climate

A
  • 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
104
Q

what are the effects of oxides of nitrogen on our climate?

A
  • main sources from power stations and vehicle emissions
  • catalytic converters fitted to cars can decrease production of these harmful compounds
105
Q

what are the effects of ozone on our climate

A
  • 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
106
Q

how many more times harmful is methane compared to C02

A

21 times

107
Q

are there any links between ozone depletion and global warming?

A

no direct links

108
Q

How many times is CFC more harmful than CFC?

A

10000 times

109
Q

what are the trends between pre-industrial to present concentrations for:
-> co2
-> methane
-> Nitrous oxide
-> CFC
-> Ozone

A

C02:
pre-industrial -> 270
present -> 400

methane:
pre-industrial -> 0.7
present -> 1.774

Nitrous oxide:
pre-industrial -> 0.27
present -> 0.31

CFC:
pre-industrial -> 0
present -> 0.00025

Ozone:
pre-industrial -> not known
present -> variable

110
Q

what are the natural sources of methane

A
  • swamps and bogs
  • termites
  • the tundra
111
Q

what are other sources of methane

A
  • cattle
  • rice paddy fields
  • waste tips
112
Q

what are the impacts of climate change (5)

A
  • 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)
113
Q

briefly describe how climate change affects biome?

A
  • 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
114
Q

briefly describe how climate change affects weather patterns?

A
  • 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
115
Q

briefly describe how climate change affects the location of crop-growing areas

A
  • 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
116
Q

briefly describe how climate change affects coastal inundation

A
  • most of the world’s major cities are built on coastlines and thus subject to flooding and rising sea levels
117
Q

briefly describe how climate change affects human health concerns

A

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

118
Q

what is the case study for the affects climate change poses?

A

Mongolia

119
Q

what are the weather issues in Mongolia?

A
  • the mean monthly temperature is below 1ºC over the whole country between November and March
  • early autumn frosts leave a short growing season
  • average precipitation is only 251mm
  • uneven precipitation
  • strong winds result in high evaporation and erosion
  • low soil moisture and humidity impact agricultural production
120
Q

how has climate change affected weather patterns in Mongolia?

A
  • 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

ESS (10 decks)

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