Environmental Impacts Of Energy Production

Question 1

How does clearing trees for fuel damage LEDCs?

Answer 1

Damages an area’s ecological balance and can lead to desertification.

Question 2

How are non-renewable sources of energy dangerous?

Answer 2

They release harmful pollutants, such as carbon and sulphur compounds, into the atmosphere when they are burnt.

Question 3

How is transporting crude oil by tanker or pipeline dangerous?

Answer 3

There can be oil spills which contaminate the environment where it occurs and transport by tanker uses fuel which releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere.

Question 4

What is a difference between renewables and non-renewables?

Answer 4

The scale in which they are used- renewable resources can often be exploited on a smaller, more localised scale than non-renewable resources. E.g. Mini hydro electric systems used for electricity generation in remote himilayan villages in nepal.

Question 5

How many people rely on biomass?

Answer 5

2.5 billion

Question 6

How much is biomass expected to increase by?

Answer 6

2.6 billion by 2015

Question 7

What is the problem with biomass?

Answer 7

Women and children collecting, over use of land (less interception, reduced infiltration, faster run off and greater soil erosion).

Question 8

What is the problem with nuclear power?

Answer 8

It produces high levels of radioactive waste in the form of used fuel roads which have been removed from reactors. (In the UK these are taken to Cumbria).

Question 9

Why is nuclear waste difficult to dispose of?

Answer 9

The material remains highly radioactive and specially designed railway containers have been constructed and extensively tested.

Question 10

What has to be considered before deciding on a site for nuclear disposal?

Answer 10

> geologically stable
unemployment figures
availability of land
transport links
potential strength of local pressure groups
design features
technology for transport, storage and security

Question 11

What issues can be caused by the construction of a site for the safe storage of nuclear waste?

Answer 11

>noise
>safety e.g. cancer
>contamination of water
>effect on farming- contaminated 
>accidents and terrorism
>tourism
>hiding and forgetting syndrome 
>too economically dependent on the nuclear industry