Patterns of energy use Flashcards
factors changing the use of energy resources over the years
-world population
rose from 1 to 7 billion in past 200 years
-development of technology
cars, trains, planes require energy
-electrical energy
power stations need fuel
trends in energy use
most of the world’s energy usage has been fossil fuels
before 1900, biomass in the form of wood was the major source of fuel, and its use has remained constant over time
in more recent years, there has been an increase in the use of nuclear fuel and hydroelectric power
Similarities and differences in the shape of the graph of world population over time and the graph of energy usage over time
as population increases the total amount of energy used increases as each person uses a similar amount
total energy use has increased faster than the population
societies develop and use more technology requiring energy
the average amount of energy used per person also increases
future of energy usage
finite resources can’t continue to be used as they will run out
greater use of fossil fuels leads to more CO2 in the atmosphere
there will be greater global warming leading to severe weather, flooding and threats to food supplies
this can be prevented by the use of renewable energy
Describe the main issues with using the Earth’s energy supplies [2]
threats to food supplies for those who need them
global warming and floods because of fossil fuel use
running out of non-renewable resources
Wood is a biofuel. Suggest why wood has been used constantly for many years, whereas other fuels have only been used much more recently [3]
wood hs readily been available for thousands of years and has not had to be discovered, mined or have any extra technology developed in order for it to produce thermal energy
