Natural Resources

Question 1

What is the pattern of energy consumption in HIC’s

Answer 1

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%

Question 2

What is the pattern of energy consumption in LIC’s + newly emerging economies

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Why is there a need for energy trade

Answer 3

Due to the divergent distribution of energy production and energy consumption

Transported from areas of energy surplus to areas of energy deficit

Question 4

What 5 factors are the patterns of global energy trade influenced by

Answer 4

• 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)

Question 5

What is the most traded fossil fuel and why

Answer 5

Oil

Largest demand
Easiest to transport over long distances (ship/pipeline)
Easiest to store

Question 6

Define energy security

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Gas

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Gas

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Gas

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Describe the geopolitical issues of Gas

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Oil

Answer 11

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)

Question 12

Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Oil

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Oil

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Describe the geopolitical issues of Oil

Answer 14

GDP is strongly linked to oil exports and conflict/politcla instability can hinder economic development in some areas (Nigeria Delta)

Question 15

Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Coal

Answer 15

Relatively abundant

2019 - overall production was 8,000mt
China is the biggest producer

Indonesia production rose by 12.4% in 2019

Question 16

Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Coal

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Coal

Answer 17

Largest exporter of coal is Australia (29% world’s coal exports)

Decrease in demand in high income countries 0 switching to renewables

Question 18

Describe the geopolitical issues of Coal

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Describe the production/availability of Nuclear power

Answer 19

13.8% of all energy produced

Requires high technology

Question 20

Describe the consumption/demand of Nuclear

Answer 20

Consumption starting to slow with Joan shutting its last nuclear power station in 2014

Question 21

Describe the geopolitical issues of Nuclear

Answer 21

The supply/movement of uranium is constantly monitored due to its potential in Nuclear weapons

Question 22

Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Renewables

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Renewables

Answer 23

Not typically traded as they are provided in situ with the country of production, though the electricity produced from renewables can be exported

Question 24

Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Ore minerals

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Ore minerals

Answer 25

China is the largest consumer (over 50% global demand for copper)

Consumption shifting towards NIC’s who have rapidly growing manufacturing sectors

Question 26

Describe the key patterns of trade/movement of Ore minerals

Answer 26

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)

Question 27

Describe the geopolitical issues of Ore minerals

Answer 27

‘Resource curse’ - failure of countries naturally rich in a resource to profit from it

Tends to have higher levels of conflict/lower economic stability

Question 28

Describe the key patterns of production/availability of Water

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Describe the key patterns of consumption/demand of Water

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Describe the geopolitical issues of Water

Answer 30

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,