Definitions For Energy Topic Flashcards
What are flow resources?
Resources that come from a continuous supply that will never stop providing energy.
Define what non renewable resources are.
Energy sources that have built up over time and when they’re used will deplete the stock. They include fossil fuels and nuclear.
What are stock resources?
A resource f which there is a finite amount in existence and will eventually run out if used.
What is a critical resource?
A sub division of renewable resources that need careful management in order to remain a renewable resource. These come from forests, plants and animal waste.
What is a non critical resource?
Renewable energy that needs no management in order to remain renewable- for example; solar and wind.
What is a reserve?
The part of a resource that is available and accessible or use. A reserve can be speculative (thought to exist in unexplored areas) or recoverable (an amount likely to be used in a certain time frame with current technology).
What is a resource?
Any aspect of the environment that can be used to meet human needs. E.g. Food, fuel, shelter. Etc.
Define ‘sustainable development’.
Development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising those of future generations.
Define ‘appropriate technology’.
Technology that is suitable for the skill level and development (especially economic) levels of the area.
What is an ‘energy mix’?
The proportion of different sources a country used to meet its energy demands. Usually presented in a pie chart form.
What is ‘primary energy’?
Energy sources in raw form that are used to produce secondary energy. E.g; oil/ gas/ running water.
What is secondary energy?
Energy sources manufactured from primary energy, for example; petrol and electricity.
What is energy security?
The provision of affordable and reliable energy.
What is NIMBY?
Not in my backyard.
When people encourage development as long as it isn’t close to them.
Define what geopolitics is.
The study of the effects of human and physical geography on international politics and relations.
Describe what a TNC is.
Transnational corporation.
A commercial enterprise that operates substantial facilities, does business in multiple countries and considers no country as its national home.
Define what a fossil fuel is.
A natural fuel such as gas or oil that is formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. They’re all examples of non renewable resources.
What is acid rain?
Rainfall that has been made so acidic by atmospheric pollution it causes. Environmental harm, especially to forests and lakes.
Define global warming.
A gradual increase in the earths overall temperature, generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increasing levels of CFCs, carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
What is biomass?
A critical energy resource in which organic matter can be converted into a fuel- examples are; fuel wood, ethanol and animal dung.
Define what nuclear power is.
Electric or motive power that is generated by a nuclear reactor.
Define what rebewable resources are.
Resources that will not run out and are being continuously created. They include; solar, wind, HEP, geothermal, tide and wave.
What is globalisation?
The close economic interdependence between the leading nations of the world on trade, investment and cooperative commercial relationships.
What is the Kyoto protocol?
An agreement signed in 1997 by most MEDCs (major exception: USA) to aim to cut harmful emissions by 5% in 15 years (by2012).
What is the greenhouse effect?
The way in which long wave radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere from the earth and is warmed.
What is carbon trading?
Rich MEDCs can buy carbon credits from lesser developed countries- eg helping to modernise old and inefficient power stations.
What is GDP?
Gross domestic product. It is the monetary value of all the finished foods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.
What is a NIC?
Newly industrialised country. A country whose development levels lies between that of developing and first world classifications.
Explain what is meant by ‘cooperation in world affairs’ in the context of geopolitics of energy.
Countries work together in the productio of energy by giving permission to explore and exploit resources in foreign countries by trade between countries in a fair way, without threat or fear of reprisals as a result of political differences.
What is OPEC?
The organisation of petroleum exporting countries. Set up in 1960s with 13 countries- 8 located in Middle East and North America. Coordinate trade and production policies relating to oil
