Natural Resources Flashcards
What is the pattern of energy consumption in HIC’s
Slower population growth combined with efforts to reduce energy consumption has led to only slow increases in energy consumption
2000-2014 - UK population rose by 8% whilst energy consumption fell by 20%
What is the pattern of energy consumption in LIC’s + newly emerging economies
Rapid increase in energy consumption are a consequence to both increasing populations and higher per capita income
2000-2014 - India population rose by 19% but energy consumption almost doubled with a 92% increase
Why is there a need for energy trade
Due to the divergent distribution of energy production and energy consumption
Transported from areas of energy surplus to areas of energy deficit
What 5 factors are the patterns of global energy trade influenced by
- Ease of transporting the fuel source
- Economic feasibility fo sourcing energy from different global locations
- Operations of TNC’s (where they have built production and processing facilities)
- Geopolitical issues
- Strategic consideration (energy security to avoid over reliance)
What is the most traded fossil fuel and why
Oil
Largest demand
Easiest to transport over long distances (ship/pipeline)
Easiest to store
Define energy security
Where a government has a high level of control over how it safeguards its energy demands
E.g - need for stability and security in the country producing and exporting the oil + diplomatic relations with certain countries (Russia)
Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Gas
Previously, technology was insfufficentley advanced to transport and store natural gas
2013 = new record production of 3,500 billion cubic m
USA remains the largest producer and largest increase in growth (2%)
Gas reserves greatest in Iran, Russia and Qatar
Production is dominated by a small minority. Top 5 producers make up over half of global production
Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Gas
Consumption has tripled over the last 40 years and now accounts for 1/5 global energy consumption
This is because gas is less polluting (emits half the CO2 of coal), new technology makes electricity generation more efficient and large discoveries in many countries
Consumption growth is above average in OCED countries (emerging economies)
However, storage and transport difficulties means gas is less traded internationally than oil
Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Gas
Gas accounts for 29% global energy trade
Cost of building pipelines is high and can date the environment
Main exporters are Russia and Canada
Main importers are Japan, China, Germany
Although trade in pipeline gas fell by 3%, trade in LNG is increasing
Describe the geopolitical issues of Gas
Conflict in the Middle East over control of natural gas reserves
Turkey recently found a natural gas field in the Black Sea meaning they no longer have to rely on Russia
Russia has significant control over European gas pipeline supplies and therefore uses it as a tool in negotiations
Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Oil
USA is the top oil producer (19% world’s production)
Much of the increase in the USA is indebted to fracking
Oil reserves are vanishing at a rate of 4bn tonnes per year (enough for 50 years at current rate)
Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Oil
More exploration rights given to TNC’s in LIC’s
Big gap in oil consumption between LIC’s and HIC’s. (2.5 billion people in LIC’s have no access to oil and are instead dependent on fuelwood)
70 HIC’s use 75% of the supplies of all fossil fuels
Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Oil
23 million barrels per day exported from Middle East
Trade in oil is growing (particularly in China and other emerging economies)
Oil production and demand is strongly related to emerging economies
Describe the geopolitical issues of Oil
GDP is strongly linked to oil exports and conflict/politcla instability can hinder economic development in some areas (Nigeria Delta)
Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Coal
Relatively abundant
2019 - overall production was 8,000mt
China is the biggest producer
Indonesia production rose by 12.4% in 2019
Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Coal
2019 - global consumption fell by 1.9%
China consumed 53% of all global production (India second)
USA set record low levels of coal consumption but still the 3rd largest consumer
Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Coal
Largest exporter of coal is Australia (29% world’s coal exports)
Decrease in demand in high income countries 0 switching to renewables
Describe the geopolitical issues of Coal
Cola use being phased out to reach climate change targets in HIC’s
LIC’s keen to exploit it as relatively cheap form of energy
Contributes to acid rain - transboundary pollution
Describe the production/availability of Nuclear power
13.8% of all energy produced
Requires high technology
Describe the consumption/demand of Nuclear
Consumption starting to slow with Joan shutting its last nuclear power station in 2014
Describe the geopolitical issues of Nuclear
The supply/movement of uranium is constantly monitored due to its potential in Nuclear weapons
Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Renewables
Make up 15/20% global energy production
Easy to establish in most countries
China is the biggest producer - HEP
65% of the world’s renewable energy is produced in low income countries from soil biofuels
Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Renewables
Not typically traded as they are provided in situ with the country of production, though the electricity produced from renewables can be exported
Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Ore minerals
Australia has half the world’s iron exports
Production is extending to other countries (South America) due to a shift towards extraction from LIC’s
Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Ore minerals
China is the largest consumer (over 50% global demand for copper)
Consumption shifting towards NIC’s who have rapidly growing manufacturing sectors
Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Ore minerals
General pattern is from LIC’s to NIC’s
Financial recessions caused huge fluctuations in trade patterns - much more variable than fossil fuels
Transported by bulk carriers to ports (often close to manufacturing hubs)
Describe the geopolitical issues of Ore minerals
‘Resource curse’ - failure of countries naturally rich in a resource to profit from it
Tends to have higher levels of conflict/lower economic stability
Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Water
There is enough water for everyone, however it isn’t evenly distributed (availability affected by both human and physical factors)
97% worlds water = salt
Availability affected by geographical location - urban/rural. 82% lack water in rural, compared to 15% In urban areas
Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Water
1/5 world’s population live in areas of water scarcity
North America and Australia have the highest per capita water usage - direr climates, irrigation needed
Countries with a higher population growth more likely to suffer from water shortages
Describe the geopolitical issues of Water
Lesotho’s water supply exceeds demand so gives surplus to South Africa through the Water Highland Project. $1.5 million per month given
Millenium Development Goals trying to eliminate water security. By 2010, halved people suffering from water scarcity,
