Resource Management Flashcards
How much has the North Sea oil benefitted for the uk government
The reserves have so far benefitted the UK government by £300 billion
What has the North Sea oil enabled for the Uk
The presence of its own fossil fuel supply has enabled the UK to develop at an even faster rate without the need to import the product from abroad
Positives for the North Sea oil
• UK produces 60% of its own natural gas meaning it is less reliant on foreign energy. Making it more energy secure
• Thousands of people are employed in the offshore oil industry. Many jobs are in areas of historic high unemployment like Aberdeen
• UK government has benefited directly through tax revenue
• Positive multiplier effect as new industries grow along the East coast to provide resources for the rigs and utilise the oil/gas at source.
Negative for the North Sea oil reserve
• The Piper Alpha disaster of 1988 which killed 167 workers and caused insured losses of £1.7billion pounds.
• Oil prices fell in 2014 and in the following three years the number of employed workers fell from around 450,000 people to just over 300,000 people
• Oil leaks cause huge environmental damage, the Gannet Alpha platform experienced a leak in 2011. It leaked more than 200 tonnes of oil
• Oil in non-renewable and reserves will run out
How many schemes of Nepal’s micro-hydro power are there
1000 schemes
Benefits to the micro-hydro power in Nepal
• Clean energy source with no water or air pollution
• Small scale production means none of the negative impacts associated with large reservoirs
• No water is lost so the method is sustainable for water use
• Minimal local impact on environment
• Income in areas with the scheme increased 11% with women and children benefiting most
• Estimated to save 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide release per year (no fossil fuel used)
• Users are trained in how to use and maintain the machinery, keeping costs down and also ensuring it is kept in the best possible condition
• Electricity enables school and hospitals to have better equipment and provide more social services.
Disadvantages to the micro-hydro power in Nepal
• Not suitable in all areas of need so can create greater internal inequality
• Each project is small scale so many are needed to supply enough energy to make a big impact on development
• Seasonal variation in stream flow alters level of available water and therefore energy
• Have to be located close to a stream to work so only benefits stream side communities
• Still some concerns over the long term maintenance of schemes. Especially as parts begin to wear on the older turbines. Aid projects are trying to ensure that there is enough money to replace these.
