G - Energy Flashcards
What are the three main causes of increasing demand of energy?
1) World population growth
2) Increased wealth
3) Technological advances
How has a increase in wealth caused higher demand for energy?
- People demand more products including electrical items which require energy
- In 2009 more UK households owned 2 cars than no cars at all
- Car ownership in China has increased from 0 in 1997 to 26 million in 2009
How has technological advances caused an increase in demand for energy?
- Increased the variety of goods on offer needing electricity
- Modern technology allows the development of other sources of energy e.g nuclear
- Companies compete with each other so faster, better e.t.c
- People want to buy them so more are made
- Requires energy to develop, make and run
What is the main social impact of increased demand for energy?
Health issues
Explain the economic effects of increasing demand for energy
- The home economy might benefit if people choose to holiday at home due to increases in air fairs from rising fuel costs.
- As energy resources are used up, new ones need to be found.
- People may choose to cycle to work and leave their cars at home due to rising fuel costs (environmental)
What are environmental impacts?
- Unneeded material from coal mines has built into heaps on land which spoil scenery
- On water, the transportation of oil has led to major pollution incidents e.g spillages
- Poor air quality and greenhouse gases from power stations has led to global warming
What are predicted benefits of global warming?
- Crops can be grown further north due to warmer weather
- Higher rainfall increases rice yields
- Longer growing season allows higher wheat yields
- Increased yield due to higher temperatures
What are problems of global warming?
- Arctic Ocean ice sheet could melt completely - already thinning by 40%
- Too warm for coniferous forests
- Tropical diseases in Africa are likely to spread north
- Drier conditions lead to lower production
- Increased tropical storm activity
- Reduced rainfall in rainforests due to deforistation
What is the main problem of rising sea-levels?
Flooding
Explain how health problems are caused by the increase demand in energy
- Health issues such as emphysema and bronchitis in UK where coal is used as a source of energy. These incidences will increase in areas experiencing industrialisation
- Poor air quality leads to asthma as the haze contains a dangerous mix of chemicals
How much renewable energy does the UK aim to generate?
10%
What are location requirements of wind power in UK?
- Shallow waters
- Exposed locations, clear of any obstructions
- High amounts of wind
What are advantages for wind power in the UK?
- Wind is free
- Does not produce greenhouse gases
- Each turbine takes up a small piece of land
- Some think they are interesting features
- Can be used in remote areas
- Can generate own energy
What are disadvantages of wind power in the UK?
- High noise levels
- Turbines are avoided by migrating birds
- House prices nearby could reduce
- Tall and an eyesore
- More expensive than traditional methods
What is the Kyoto Protocol?
An international agreement to cut CO2 emissions to help reduce global warming
