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A-level Geography > Enquiry Question 2: What are the consequences for people and the environment of our increasing demand for energy? > Flashcards

Enquiry Question 2: What are the consequences for people and the environment of our increasing demand for energy? Flashcards

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1
Q

Energy consumption

A

Refers to the amount of energy that is used

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2
Q

Urban consumption in London

A
  • Over half the world’s population now live in cities - they consume 75% of the world’s energy and produce 80% of its GHGs
  • London generates 1.7 million tonnes of carbon per year; 1.8 tonnes per capita
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3
Q

Rural consumption in Peru

A
  • In rural Peru, a national program was launched where electricity was made available to 500,000 people in villages between 2006 and 2015 through the use of solar panels
  • It has increased productivity, and allows for the increased processing of cereals, meats, cocoa and wood - this has boosted incomes and raised the standards for rural living
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4
Q

Factors which affect energy consumption

A
  • Physical availability
  • Technology
  • Climate (e.g. North America, the Middle East, Australia)
  • Cost (e.g. physical exploitation, processing, delivery)
  • Economic development
  • Environmental priorities
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5
Q

Which country has the highest total energy consumption in terms of mega tonnes of oil equipment (mtoe)?

A

China at 3,034 mtoe

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6
Q

Which country has the highest consumption per capita in terms of kilograms of oil equipment (ktoe)?

A

Canada at 7,149 ktoe

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7
Q

Energy mix

A

The energy mix of a country is the resource of each primary energy resource it uses per year. These may be domestic or important

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8
Q

What could affect the energy mix of a country?

A
  • GDP of a country - fossil fuels are much cheaper
  • Attitude - government want to switch to, e.g. biofuels
  • Climate/natural resources - e.g. solar, geothermal
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9
Q

Factors affecting energy mix? (detailed)

A
  • Availability of primary energy resources within the country as well as access to technology to extract resources, e.g. Iceland (geothermal)
  • Accessibility to primary resources outside the country, e.g. Russia exports 80% of its natural gas to Europe
  • Energy needs of a country (economic development, lifestyle, climate), e.g. USA - consumerist lifestyle = high demand
  • Changing energy consumption patterns (population, economic growth), e.g. India, population of 1.2 billion
  • National and regional policies that affect energy production and consumption (e.g. climate change), e.g. UK, 2015 Paris Agreement
  • Cultural and historical legacies, and geopolitical links, e.g. India (Canada provides 3.2 million kilos of Uranium)
  • Financial costs of each energy option. e.g. countries with little capital, consume cheaper resources
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10
Q

Primary energy

A

Natural energy resources that have not been converted into another form of energy, e.g. coal, oil, gas, and are consumed in their raw form

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11
Q

Secondary energy

A

Refers to hat the primary source has been converted into, usually electricity

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12
Q

UK’s energy mix (third quarter of 2019)

A
  • Coal and gas - >1% combined
  • Natural gas - 38%
  • Wind - 20%
  • Biomass - 12%
  • Solar - 6%
  • Nuclear - 19%
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13
Q

Energy security

A

Being able to access reliable and affordable energy sources - either domestic or from ‘friendly’, overseas countries

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14
Q

Why is the UK energy insecure?

A

Despite economic and population growth in the UK, the adoption of energy-saving technologies resulted in the UK consuming less energy in 2015 than in 1998 with more of thy energy coming from renewables

  • However, the UK imports more energy than it produces domestically (i.e. from its own reserves) due to a decline in the North Sea oil and gas reserves
  • This means that the UK has an energy deficit and is energy insecure
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15
Q

Between 1970-80, was the UK a net importer or exporter of energy?

A

A net importer (means it was energy insecure), however between 1981-87, the UK becomes a net exporter due to North Sea oil and gas development. It became a net importer again for a short period after the Piper Alpha oil rig explosion in 1988, then an exporter again as North sea production peaked in 1999. From 2004-2015, it was net importer

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16
Q

Energy pathway

A

Describes the flow of energy between a producer and a consumer e.g. ship, rail, transmission line, etc.

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17
Q

The world energy council has suggested that energy players have 3 objectives:

A
  1. Energy security - energy supply must meet demands
  2. Energy equity - there must be accessible and affordable energy for all countries
  3. Environmental sustainability
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18
Q

OPEC (energy player)

A
  • Made up of 12 member countries, and between them, they own around 2/3 of the world’s oil reserves
  • It has been accused of holding back production in order to drive up oil prices
  • Its in a position to control the amount of oil and gas entering the global market, as well as controlling the price of both commodities
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19
Q

Energy companies (energy player)

A
  • These are companies that convert primary energy into electricity (and gas) and distribute it
  • They have considerable influence when it comes to setting consumer prices and tariffs
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20
Q

TNCs (energy player)

A
  • They create demand
  • The most influential consumers are transport, industry and domestic users
  • Purchasing choices are often based on price/cost issues, e.g. petrol prices can be keenly competitive between supermarkets
  • Consumers are largely passive players when it comes to fixing energy prices
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21
Q

Governments (energy players)

A
  • They can influence the sourcing of energy for geopolitical reasons
  • To meet international obligations, whilst securing energy supplies for the nation’s present and future, as well as supporting the country’s economic growth
  • Regulating the role of private companies and setting environmental priorities
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22
Q

Biofuels

A
  • A fuel derived immediately from living matter, e.g. agricultural crops, forestry/fishery products, and various forms of waste
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23
Q

Primary biofuel

A

Fuelwood, wood chips and pellets, and other organic material used in its unprocessed form. Used for heating, cooking or electricity generation

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24
Q

Secondary biofuel

A

Derived from the processing of biomass and includes liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, which can be used by vehicles and in industrial processes

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25
Q

Since 2003, Brazil’s use of bio-ethanol has reduced the country’s CO₂ emissions by how many tonnes?

A

More than 350 million tonnes

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26
Q

Strengths of biofuels

A
  • Renewable energy source
  • Lower emissions than fossil fuels
  • Bio-degradable
  • Easily grown and does not need specialist machinery
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27
Q

Weaknesses of biofuels

A
  • Takes land from food production
  • Needs pesticides and fertilisers, which use fossil fuels in their production, so they’re not carbon neutral
  • Requires large volumes of water
  • Clearing forest to grow this crop means the loss of a carbon sink and increased CO₂ emissions from the deforestation
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28
Q

Opportunities for biofuels

A
  • Provides rural inward investment and local development projects
  • Positive multiplier effects in rural regions
  • Fuel earns export income
  • Infrastructure improvements (e.g. improved roads, piped water) often provided by growers
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29
Q

Threats to biofuels

A
  • Takes investment away from food production
  • Contaminates water resources with pesticides or the overuse of fertilisers
  • Food shortages occur, which lead to higher food prices
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30
Q

How many tonnes of coal did the USA have in 2016?

A

254.2 billion tonnes

31
Q

How many barrels of oil did Venezuela have in 2016?

A

299.9 billion barrels

32
Q

How many m3 of gas did Russia have in 2018?

A

38 trillion m3

33
Q

By what percentage has the demand for different sources of energy increased by since the 1990s?

A

50%

34
Q

What percentage do fossil fuels account for in terms of global energy mix (2019)?

A

84%

35
Q

How much has China’s oil consumption increased between 2000-2010 by following it’s rapid economic growth?

A

The oil consumption has doubled

36
Q

Mismatch

A
  • Coal, oil and natural gas all form under certain geological conditions which determines where they are found
  • Because of disparity between production areas of high demand, this is called mismatch
37
Q

Blocking of the Suez Canal, 2021

A
  • $400 million of goods per hour were blocked
  • 12% of global trade passes through the canal
  • Ships would’ve had to go around the Cape of Africa, which adds 3-9 days to the trip and costs an extra $500
38
Q

How can an energy pathway by disrupted? - Geopolitical factors

A
  • The ongoing Syrian conflict - Russia and USA battling for control over Syria
  • Many argue the main reason for control is the proposed pipeline through Syria to fuel Europe
  • Syria is allies with Iran, who want the same involvement in the European market as Russia, so it defends the Syrian government from those trying to overthrow and replace their president Assad
39
Q

How can an energy pathway be disrupted? - militant action

A
  • In December 2015, the international Marine Bureau reported piracy attacks along the Strait of Malacca, between Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia (the world’s 2nd largest chokepoint for oil and gas transit by tanker)
  • Criminal gangs frequently seized ships for hostage payments - over 500 attacks occurred between 2009-2015
40
Q

How can an energy pathway by disrupted? - weather/natural hazards

A

During a stormy winter in 2013, UK gas reserves fell to 6 hours worth, as storm damage paralysed an import pipeline

41
Q

How can an energy pathway be disrupted? - political tensions and disagreements

A
  • 3 out of 4 of Russia’s pipelines cross Ukraine to get to Europe
  • Due to conflict between Russia and Ukraine, this could threaten the energy security of Europe
  • Ukraine could increase prices it charges for allowing the gas to be transferred across its country, or it could stop the flow altogether
42
Q

Tar sands

A

These are naturally occurring mixtures of sand, clay, water and a dense viscous form of petroleum called bitumen

43
Q

What percentage of tar sands global stocks does Canada own?

A

73%

44
Q

Oil shale

A

Deposits of organic compounds called kerogen in sedimentary rocks that have not undergone sufficient pressure, heat or time to become conventional oil

45
Q

What percentage of oil shale global stocks does the USA own?

A

77%

46
Q

Shale gas

A

Usually methane in coal seams, or natural gas trapped in fractures and pores of sandstones and shales

47
Q

Deepwater oil

A

As accessible reserves (e.g. North Sea oil) run out, prospecting companies have to look into deeper ocean waters with greater risks and costs, e.g. the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil’s off-shore reserves

48
Q

Tar sands (Canada) - the players (4)

A
  • Governments - promote tar sands for energy security and economic development
  • Oil companies - local and international companies include Syncrude/Suncor, Shell, Exxon Mobil, and BP
  • Environmental Pressure Groups - Greenpeace: end to ‘industrialisation of indigenous territories, forests and wetlands in Northern Alberta’
  • Local communities - new jobs, local business benefit from trade, fears over pollution in the Athabasca River and increased incidence of rare cancers/autoimmune diseases, disruption to traditional ways of life, increased antisocial behaviour, increased workers = housing crisis
49
Q

How many barrels of water does it take to produce one barrel of tar sands?

A

2-5 barrels of water

50
Q

How many tonnes of toxic wastewater is produced everyday (tar sands)?

A

1.8 million tonnes

51
Q

How much of Alberta’s woodlands taiga forest has been removed?

A

470km²

52
Q

By 2030, what percentage could tar sands meet for North America’s oil needs?

A

16%

53
Q

What percentage of tar sands is used in Canada?

A

28%

54
Q

What percentage of tar sands is exported to the USA?

A

70%

55
Q

How many km offshore are people mining for deepwater oil in Brazil (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro)?

A

200-300km

56
Q

What is the state company in Brazil, that’s working closely with China, to develop deepwater oil rigs?

A

Petrobras

57
Q

What was Petronas’ target for deepwater oil?

A

By 2020, it would produce 500,000 barrels a day

58
Q

Deepwater oil - implications for the carbon cycle

A
  • The carbon that has been locked away for hundreds of thousands of years is being extracted and therefore become more active in the contribution of volume of carbon in the atmosphere
  • Increased extraction means increased burning fossil fuels, which adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, where it will remain for 2000 years
59
Q

Deepwater oil - implications for the environment

A
  • Polluted sea water - affects marine life, biodiversity, and food security (disrupts food chains)
  • Landscape scarring - by petrochemical oil stations
  • Contributes to climate change and pollution of the atmosphere by releasing GHGs in the extraction of the resource and by further manufacturing
60
Q

Where have the most important shale gas fields been found?

A

New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia

61
Q

In 2000, what percentage did shale gas provide for the USA’s gas supply? How much has this risen to by 2015?

A

1%, 25%

62
Q

Shale gas - implications for the carbon cycle

A
  • Methane gas leaks can be caused, releasing it into the atmosphere
  • Positively, the carbon footprint of shale gas is about half that of coal and lower than liquified natural gas
63
Q

Shale gas - implications for the environment

A
  • Contamination of water supplies by the chemicals in the pumping fluid and surface subsistence
  • Fracking is known to produce airborne pollutants such as methane and sulfur dioxide
  • A large amount of water is consumed in the process - for particular gas extracted around New York, each gas well consumes 20,000 cubic metres of water during its life cycle
64
Q

What year is the UK planning to close down all traditional coal-fired power stations?

A

2025

65
Q

What percentage of the UK’s energy is imported? Does this make it energy secure or insecure?

A

60%, so energy insecure

66
Q

What percentage of the UK’s electricity is expected to be produced by Hinkley Point C when its been completed?

A

7%

67
Q

Nuclear Power examples

A
  • Japan - before 2011, 27% of their electricity came from nuclear power. However, all plants closed after the Fukushima nuclear plant was damaged during an earthquake
  • UK - Hinkley Point C - £18 billion project, will provide energy for 60 years and 25,000 jobs
68
Q

Wind Power examples

A
  • Hornsea Project 1 - (190-metre-high wind turbines) provide power for 1 million homes, located 121 km off the coast of Yorkshire, creates 2000 construction jobs
  • Quarrendon Fields, Aylesbury - supply for 2000 homes
69
Q

Solar Power examples

A

Chapel Lane Solar Farm, Christchurch - it cost £50 million, UK’s largest solar farm, supplies for 60,000 homes/75% of the houses in Bournemouth

70
Q

Hydrogen fuel cells

A
  • Hydrogen can provide an alternative to oil once separated from other elements (will need energy for the process, however can be done with renewables), it produces no pollution and only water (however, water vapour is a ghg) as a waste product
  • Toyota - produced a car with a range of 270 miles, sold in 2015
  • NASA - since the 70s, has used liquid hydrogen to propel space shuttles and other rockets into orbit
71
Q

Electric vehicles

A
  • Uses energy from rechargeable batteries (long charge time) to power electric motors - cheaper and produces no pollution
  • Range from 62-340 miles, depending on battery capacity
  • Reduces noise pollution
  • Expensive to buy due to the technology
  • Tesla Model 3 - maximum range of 310 miles
  • Zap Map, 2016 - 3919 public charging locations in the UK, served over 60,000 registered vehicles (20% of the charging points were in London, 3% were in Wales)
72
Q

Carbon Capture and Storage (CSS)

A
  • A system that collects carbon dioxide emissions from fixed points such as power plants, then transports the gas and injects it into a suitable geological structure (over 800m below ground)
  • Could cut global carbon dioxide emissions by 19%
  • Expensive - involves complex technology
  • Captured carbon could leak, as well as potentially cause earthquakes due to pressure
  • Canada - opened the first coal-fired power plant with CSS in 2014 at a cost of $1.3 billion, it reduced emissions by 90%
73
Q

When will electric vehicles be mandatory in the UK?

A

2030

A-level Geography (15 decks)

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