Natural resource issues Flashcards
1
Q
Patterns of global coal production
A
- Top 5 countries account for 75% of production = china (45.5%), USA (11.6%), Indonesia (7.4%), Australia (64%), India (4.1%)]
- Largest producers consume much of their own coal for power generation = China (57%), USA (92%), India (71%), Australia (90%)
2
Q
Patterns of global oil production
A
- Patterns of production is less dispered than coal as there is a more limited supply
- More than 70% of production in Middle east, the USA and Russia
- The middle east accounts for 25% of production
- The cost of extraction varies and affects production - it is much cheaper to extract oil in the Middle East than Asia
3
Q
Patterns of global natural gas production
A
- Production is increasing rapidly
- in 2013, a new peak in production was reached at 3500 cubic metres
- The largest reserves are in Russia, as well as the USA, Qater, Iran and Canada
4
Q
Patterns of global nuclear energy
A
- There are large amounts of high-grade uranium, which is required for nuclear power, in Kazakhstan (38%), Canada (16%) and Australia (11%)
- Most nuclear energy is produced where there is technology and political will
- France, US and Russia are the leading producers
5
Q
Patterns of global renewable energy
A
- Leading producers are China - HEP, Brazi - HEP and bioethanol, India - wind and solar, Nigeria - solar
- significant increases in production of renewable energy in developed countries due to government policy
- 65% of renewable energy is produced in LIC in the form of fuel wood and biomass
6
Q
Global patterns of energy consumption
A
- Increasing by 2% per year
- Energy consumption has stabilised in developed countries due to technology in energy efficiency
- Most growth in energy consumption is due to energy use in emerging economies such as Brazil, China and India
7
Q
Consumption of coal
A
- Coal consumption is dominated by China, the USA, Russia and India
- These four account for 75% of the consumption
8
Q
Consumption of oil
A
- The main consumer is USA, followed by China, Japan, India and Russia
- Oil accounts for 90% of fuel energy but has been overtaken by gas and nuclear for electricity production
9
Q
Consumption of natural gas
A
- The largest consumers = USA, Russia, Iran, China, Japan, India and Russia
- Gas now accounts globally for 1/5 of energy consumption due to new discoveries, the development of pipelines to transport gas and that it is less polluting than coal
10
Q
Global trade in energy
A
- Energy security is a major goal for most countries.
- Many such as Japan, consume more than they can produce.
- Some countries that are resource rich in energy have a surplus, while for some low-income countries this is a needed source of revenue
- Oil is the most traded energy source because of demand for fuel. The largest net exporters are Saudia Arabia, Russia and Kuwait. The largest net importers are the USA, China and Japan
- Russia is the largest exporter of Gas, but export is difficult because of the need for expensive pipelines. Main importers of gas are Japan, Germany and Italy
- Trade in coal is less as it is low value and bulky. UK and Germany import coal for electricity generation
11
Q
Changing patterns of energy production
A
- Russia has emerged over the last 20-30 years as the 2nd main producer of both gas and oil
- Coal - more production shifting to open-cast mining and to the southern hemisphere
- Fracking is releasing more supplies of natural gas and shale oils
- so production is rising again in an area of high consumption
- Oil - more reserves being identified and explored in poorer African countries
12
Q
Changing patterns of energy trade
A
- Western Europe is more reliant on Russia for gas supplies
- OPEC still has some influence in oil production and trade but less than before because of more discoveries of oil in non-OPEC countries and more unconventional sources in developed countries
- Energy TNCS are becoming increasingly important in controlling exploration, production, distribution and trade
- Trade in coal and gas is hindered by high transport costs/lack of infrastructure, but if oil price rise again there will be more trade in gas and construction of accompanying infrastructure
13
Q
Changing patterns of energy consumption
A
- NIC’s, increasing consumption rapidly as they industrialized
- slowed down since 2014
- Energy per capita consumption correlates positively with GDP per capita but developing economies are increasing their energy use per capita more quickly
- , energy consumption in MEDC’s is growing less quickly because of better conservation methods
14
Q
Global patterns of water availability and demand
A
- Enough water for everyone, supply is distributed unevenly
- Poor management, pollution and waste prevent equitable and plentiful supplies
- Correlation between areas of water shortages and areas of high population growth, such as Sub-saharan Africa
15
Q
Water scarcity : Physical water scarcity
A
- affects 1/5 of the worlds population
- Areas with <500mm rainfall annually are known as having a water deficit e.g parts of Australia
