Resource Security Flashcards

Question

What are the key principles of an environmental impact assessment? EIA

Answer 1

Aims to anticipate the likely impacts of a resource extraction project and minimise the negative impacts Are a legal requirement of some countries

Answer 2

Description of the project Alternatives have been considered Description of the environment (areas that will be affected e.g. fauna) Description of significant effects on the environment Mitigation Non-technical summary - so public understand Technical difficulties - areas of weakness.

Answer 3

Available sea or land - Exploration rights and licenses - Evaluation and environmental assessment - construction of sight - operation and extraction of resource - closure of site - Reclamation and monitoring - available sea or land ......

Answer 4

Found primarily in igneous rocks (60%), hydrothermal deposits and in sedimentary rocks (40%). The main mineral ores are chalcopyrite (50%), malchite and bornite.

Answer 5

Chile has the largest reserves and resources at 34%, producing over 5 million tonnes in 2014. Followed by Peru and China. Japan is the largest importer. Codelco is the top copper producing over 1.5 million tonnes in 2014. This is a Chilean State company. Latin America accounts for almost 50% of global copper ores 60% pf global copper consumption occurs in Asia.

Answer 6

``` Ductile Strong and malleable Conductor of heat Electrical conductor Corossion resistant Easily combined with other metals to make alloys Decorative - sheen when polished Very recyclable (90% can be recycled). ```

Answer 7

Demand for copper is driven by economic growth and stagnation Recycling is needed to meet annual consumption As large developing countries have entered the market, demand has increased Production is dispersed globally

Answer 8

Most ore is semi processed at the mines to reduce bulk and weight 40% of the world's demand is met by recycled copper Traded as fabricated items and as a apart of end use products eg electronic equipment

Answer 9

Mine owning companies can determine the rate of copper extraction and processing, and slow down operation if the price falls Organised through a small number of global mineral TNCs Strikes atthese companies have increased global prices Individual purchase Companies hoarding copper to increase global market

Answer 10

Global demand | Speed of production

Answer 11

Shift from underground mining to open pit mining - large amounts of overburden (waste) and tailings (leftover) - the lower the ore grade, the worse the environmental impact is - if tailings arent covered, dust and water leaching through the waste can carry toxic material into the environment - air pollution from smelting gases and dust - carbon dioxide from transport - sulphur given off - whole production process

Answer 12

Air contamination from dust

Answer 13

- Water contamination: large volumes required to wash and semi process the copper ore. Water contaminated with rock waste and toxic minerals is discharged into local drainagesystems or washed away during heavy rainfall - Water over abstraction: large demands for fresh water for processing = excessive abstraction, lowering the water table and causing rural areas to dry up.

Answer 14

- Vehicle emissions: mine traffic and transfer to docks for shipping can create significant amounts of dust, noise, congestion and vehicle emissions - Coastal pollution: loading of ore into ships, transfer spilling oil.

Answer 15

The Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine, Utah

Answer 16

2nd most polluting mine in the US by toxic release Proposed for listing as one of the most hazardous waste sites Pollution of the Great Salt Lake Ecosystems for migratory birds have been damaged Goundwater contamination as wastewater has escaped the sites collection system Airpollution as 4500 000 tonnes of rock are extracted daily which creates large quanitities of dust Pollution of the scenery as it is 4.5 km across and 1.2km deep

Answer 17

Invested 2.5 billion US dollars into modernising and adressing environmental problems Water trucks spray 50 000 gallons onto roads to reduce dust Retired its coal powered plant, and now energy will be more renewable. 2019 Clean Air business partner award. Land used to consist of illegal dumps

Answer 18

Increasing waste per tonne of copper as low grade ores are exploited Water supply constraints Fuel costs and carbon taxes increase energy cost Sustainable in terms of quantity as unlikely to run out soon = 200 years of resources Recycling copper can increase sustainability Economic sustinability is uncertain

Answer 19

Restortion plans to relocate animals Baffle mounds to reduce noise and dust sprayed with water Water turbidity: dust particles can block sunlight from aquatic plats Toxic leachates Passing mine drainage through a filter Spoil disposal: potential for landslides Drainage pipes in the base of spoil prevents water logging and prevents landslide risk.

Answer 20

Green trade alliance: most sustainable scenario promoting environmental sustainability without compromising competitiveness. LIC and HIC rebased globalism: economic power is held between markets with strong demand so free market principles are held. Resource security: least sustainable as based on national interest. Hoard domestic resources and enter trade alliances.

Answer 21

The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.

Answer 22

Form of energy found in nature that has not undergone a transformation process

Answer 23

Energy derived from a conversion process is known as secondary energy.

Answer 24

``` Wood Gas Oil Coal Hydropower Direct solar energy ```

Answer 25

Thermal power stations | Geothermal power stations

Answer 26

Use and consumption of energy constitutes energy demand Domestic needs: heating, lighting, cooking Industry: heating, lighting, powering machinery Transport: road, sea, air and rail Services: retail, commerce, offices, leisure, street lighting etc Agriculture: machinery, equipment, stock sheds and greenhouses Some categories of demand are for a dominant fuel eg transport reliant on oil Other categories may come from a variety of energy sources eg domestic heating relies on wood, coal, oil etc.

Answer 27

Industrial at 51.7%

Answer 28

Oil at 4.25 billion metric tonnes.

Answer 29

Group of different primary energy sources from secondary energy for direct use - usually electricity - is produced i.e. where a nations energy comes from.

Answer 30

39. 7% oil 36. 2% gas 14. 4% renewables 6. 4% nuclear 3. 3% coal

Answer 31

On a short term basis e.g. day to day based on weather conditions and potential for wind/solar energy On a long term basis e.g. UK phasing out coal due to carbon impact and developing renewables.

Answer 32

Availability of energy sources within the country Physical/locational conditions Inertia: keeping what you already have due to cost involved in changing Government energy policy: trying to achieve energy security, meeting targets from treaties Geopolitics: international relationships with other countries who can provide energy Level of development: funding available for investment in energy infrastructure or to import energy Diversity: Trying to ensure a wide base of energy sources and reduce reliability on one.

Answer 33

2/3 is Geothermal | Nearly 1/3 hydro

Answer 34

3/4 is biofuel

Answer 35

45% nuclear | 30% primary and secondary oil

Answer 36

Climate, drainage and geology all shape energy supply.

Answer 37

Wind: strength: minimum wind speed needed to operate turbines is 7 mph. Need to be spaced apart. Greater air density means more energy received from the turbine Ice sheets/tundra may affect access to resources Sunlight: tropical regions good as sun is higher in the sky so longer days. Cloudy days make it hard to justify. Smog or air pollution. Air density: solar exposure is better in the mountains because the air is thinner. Snowfall: won't operate if covered in snow Wind: strong winds damage equipment. Precipitation: regions with high levels of precipitation are better for HEP. Biomass growth: growth of sugar cane for bio-ethanol and sustainable harvesting of biomass fuel depends on climate.

Answer 38

Fossil fuel structure Geothermal crustal structure: where the crust is thin and mantle or magma heated rocks are close to the surface, potential for geothermal energy increases. Tectonic plate structure: margins, seismic activity can cause safety issues for power stations.

Answer 39

Topography of the drainage basin Freshwater abstraction: thermal power stations rely on uncontaminated water to produce steam that turns turbines Dam construction: potential for HEP with suitable topography. Size and shape of drainage basins, and volume of water in the channels are important for HEP.

Answer 40

Nuclear waste: - risks associated with nuclear accidents - disposal of radioactive waste - health and safety concerns from radiation - contamination of water supplies - concern over crops and grazing animals safely. Difficult to dispose: - physical conditions - economically expensive - transport - political and social barriers Acid Rain

Answer 41

Some countries produce lots of energy because they have lots of natural resources and the money to exploit them e.g. Saudi Arabia - large oil reserves Russis - large oil and gas reserves Australia - large coal reserves Indonesia - large coal, oil and gas reserves Some countries produce little energy because they have few resources or are unable to exploit their resources due to political instability or lack of money. e.g. Angola - large oil reserves but lacks money Spain - lots of money but small fossil fuel reserves

Answer 42

Can effect the volume and quality of renewable resources e.g. - Wind: can only be generated in locations with an average wind speed about 5.5 m/s. High winds can also damage wind turbines. - Hydroelectric power: relies on large flows of water to generate electricity, is not reliable in places with frequent droughts - Solar: generated using sunlight, most effective in places with little cloud cover. Varies dependant on time of year. Also affects the production of non-renewable sources e.g. mines can be flooded and offshore oil rigs can be damaged by storms.

Answer 43

Coal is a sedimentary rock, and forms when plant material undergoes specific geological processes such as burial and heating. Oil and natural gas need specific geological conditions to form. Both gas and oil travel upwards through pores until they meet a layer of impermeable rock and become trapped. Oil and natural gas can also form in shale, which is impermeable so difficult to extract. Geology is also important for geothermal energy production. Many geothermal stations are located in places where he earths crust is thin.

Answer 44

The drainage network of a country affects the volume of energy that can be generated using HEP. HEP is most effect if there is a large volume of water flowing consistently down the river with a basin with steep sides.

Answer 45

- Global energy use is increasing and fossil fuel reserves are decreasing. An 'energy crisis' is making governments concerned about how to secure energy supplies for the future. - Many of the largest reserves of oil and gas are in areas that are politically and economically unstable, so energy supplies are at risk of being disrupted. - Environmental impact. Initiatives to address these problems.

Answer 46

Charge reduces traffic by 15%. Reduced congestion by 30%.

Answer 47

Reduces energy cost by 50%. Carbon emissions from heating to 40% lower than gas and boiler systems.

Answer 48

Increase resource use of existing domestic energy sources e.e. Oil and gas exploration fidning new reserves e.g. Maersk North Sea production Apply new engineering technology to exploit new domestic energy sources e.g. Fracking in the UK Develop new resource frontiers e.g. Antarctica Increase imports of existing energy sources from foreign suppliers e.g. Liquefied natural gas from Quatar Develop imports of new energy sources from foreign suppliers e.g. import electricity by undersea cable from Iceland Develop renewable energy from domestic sources

Answer 49

Nuclear Waste: risks associated with nuclear accidents, disposal of radioactive waste, health and safety concerns, contamination of water supplies. Difficult to dispose because: physical conditions, economically expensive, transport, political and social barriers. Management involves reprocessing. Taking fuel rods from around the world, extracting reusable uranium and plutonium and strong remaining waste in steel clad or concrete containers.

Answer 50

Acidic gases such as sulphur dioxide dissolve in rainwater and form acid rain. Acid rain kills plant life, pollutes rivers and streams and erodes stonework. Environmental impacts: damages trees, leeches toxic material, kills fish stocks and damages ecosystems, accelerates weathering and harmful effects on human health. It is a migrating problem and effects areas that aren't necessarily the source of the problem. Managing acid rain: - using catalytic converters in cars can reduce acidic emissions from exhausts. - Burning fossil fuels with a lower sulphur content - replacing coal-fired power stations - energy conservation: reducing waste and therefore demand for electricity. - 'liming' adding lime to neutralise the acidity in acidic lakes.

Answer 51

Solar insolation from the sun is trapped in the lower atmosphere by greenhouse gases when it is re-radiated from the earth's surface.

Answer 52

Energy resources are unevenly distributed around the world which means countries have to trade New- petroleum producing regions opens up new trade routes New natural gas pipelines being built causes areas to become interconnected. New 'unconventional oil and gas' technology makes new trade routes due to more extraction Capacity in liquefied natural gas is increasing Number of free trade areas expanding Emerging economies Energy production being affected by climate policy

Answer 53

Rising consumption in major oil-exporters e.g. Iran reducing their exports of oil "008 financial crisis led to improvements in energy efficiency and investment in renewable energy Production of new unconventional oil and gas rising Resource peaks in non-renewable sources

Answer 54

Study of ways in which political decisions and processesses affect the way space and resources are used. Or, the study of the relationships between energy and political power.

Answer 55

Can lead to conflict in energy supply e.g. South China Sea, or cooperation e.g. The UK and Norway: Working together on developing wind energy technology. They will be connected in 2021 by undersea cables, and the UK will be able to import Norwegian renewable in the form of HEP. - longest sub-sea electricity interconnector. - import to provide 14% of yearly household electricity needs - consumer benefits of up to 3.5 billion pounds through to 2040.

Answer 56

In 2016, 6/10 of the top TNCs by revenue were energy companies e.g. Shell, BP, EXON. Huge revenues to invest in oil and gas development Technology, experience and expertise. Exploit economies of scale.

Answer 57

12 key members Aims to coordinate and stabilise prices Home to 80% of global reserves Growth of unconventional sources has reduced the influence of OPEC. OPEC attempts to control supply to the world market in order to influence the price of oil. This requires cooperation as they jointly attempt to withold supply to increase prices. OPEC has released more oil supplies onto world markets in an attempt to undercut US unconventional oil resources Development of oil resources in non-OPEC countries means that the cartel has less control

Answer 58

Development of hydrogen as a fuel source: to produce and store surplus energy in fuel cells by electrolysis of water. Issues: electrolysis requires lots of energy and hydrogen cannot be compressed safely. Gasification of coal: converted to gas below ground Secondary and tertiary oil extraction: using bacteria to digest heavy oil Nuclear energy: safer technology using smaller reactors more evenly distributed. Offshore wind farms: developed from aeronautics technology Solar fuels Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Answer 59

Generation of electricity by exploiting the temperature differences between surface water and deep. colder water. Warm water is pumped through an evaporator containing a working fluid. Vapourised fluid drives a turbine, and fluid is turned back into a liquid in a condensr cooled with ocean water. Advantages: renewable, no GHG emissions, can be used to power electrolysis for hydrogen. Disadvantages: relatively inefficient due to small temperature differences - about 1/3 of energy generated needs to be used to operate the system. Needs to be built on a large scale which is expensive to build.

Answer 60

- Energy trade flows towards Asian markets will continue to gather pace. With a slow down in the Chinese economy, India and Middle-East countries will take up the reins. Increased availability of liquefied natural gas. - By the mid 2020s, non-OPEC oil supply from Canada, Brazil and the USA may begin to decline and the oil economy will rely on supplies from Venezuela and Middle Eastern countries. - Natural gas production will increase in every region except Europe. Unconventional gas will account for 60% of growth in production. (shale gas to decline by 2030s) - Sub-Saharan Africa to account for only 4% in growth of global energy demand.

Answer 61

Carbon capture and sequestration: enables the scrubbing of carbon from power plants for storage in underground reservoirs e.g. exhausted oil and gas traps. Allows fossil fuels to be used with less environmental impact. Targets for carbon emissions will become more stringent as climate change presents problems. Development of unconventional sources of fossil fuels will do little to reduce carbon emissions. Likely to be more local energy generation from a combination of smaller power stations, combined heat and power plants and energy from waste alternatives. There will be some energy efficient gains and environmental benefit from this.

Answer 62

The influence of TNCs in resource development will continue to grow. Will have the wealth to control the technologies of the future. Developing countries will increasingly rely on TNCs to help develop their resources OPEC may re-emerge as a powerful cartel in influencing supply and pricing of both oil and gas. Scramble to claim previously protected areas and exploit them as remaining reserves become more valuable e.g. Arctic is less well protected than Antarctica and there have been a number of territorial claims. Increasing chance to become a bargaining tool or threat to geopolitical relationships.

Answer 63

Agricultural use: irrigation of crops, cleaning/washing, watering livestock Industrial/commercial use: coolant in electricity generation, heating, steam turbines, transport and various industrial processes e.g. textile and paper manufacture, metal processing and the construction of industry Domestic/household use: public or municipal water supply, used for drinking and food preparation, personal hygiene, sanitation and washing/cleaning.

Answer 64

Every 15 seconds a child died due to water bourne diseases. Unequal access to water Perception of water e.g. seen as an opportunity for profit Water pollution Reducing waste Need to tackle industrial and agricultural demand Importance of water to development 'global common good'

Answer 65

1/9 people

Answer 66

When an individual doesn't have access to safe and affordable water to satisfy their need for drinking, washing or for livelihood. We call that person water insecure. When a large number of people in an area are water insecure for a significant period of time, that is termed water scarcity.

Answer 67

Low pressure: associated with precipitation Monsoon replenishes water supply El Nino Events: may decrease water supply in some areas Climate Change: decrease summer rainfall but increase winter rainfall and storm events

Answer 68

Surfaces: impermeable surfaces e.g. clay acts as water shedding. Permeable and porous rocks e.g. chalk acts as aquifers Surface stores: if the ground is impermeable and water cannot infiltrate, surface stores are polluted and there is risk of eutrophication. Permeable rocks: groundwater flow through these basins provides a constant supply of water, and the water is good quality as it is filtered through the rock. Mountainous ranges: encourage relief rainfall and water supply, though a rain shadow on the other side may reduce water supply in nearby areas.

Answer 69

Drainage basins: a greater drainage density and number of inputs into a river helps ensure a consistent water supply. If one supply of water decreases, the other water sources (e.g. groundwater flow) ensure the overall impact of the basin is not significant. Droughts: droughts upstream can cause decreases in supplies downstream.

Answer 70

Provides 75% of Australia's water. Average rainfall across the basin is 480mm, but this hides geographical differences. Water abstraction upstream has permenantly damaged wetlands near the mouth. The East of the basine experiences much more rainfall than the West (East = 1001-2000) (West=350). Much more discharge in the West as channels flow East to West. Outputs - evaporation on eastern edges Input - extraction from aquifer Impermeable rock for percolation/drainage

Answer 71

Suffering severe water stress, average annual rainfall of 690mm (one of the driest in the UK) Only 250mm available for use due to evapotranspiration Frequent winter rainfall allows groundwater stores to be replenished Chalk acts as an aquifer and provides base flow into tributaries 1/3 of water supply pumped directly from aquifer via bore holes Source of water from tributaries where water flows over impermeable clay. Groundwater is the most important source of water.

Answer 72

Some areas experience a water surplus due to various geophysical, water management and water usage characteristics - climate giving regular, plentiful, rainfall - effective water treatment and management - low water usage characteristics. Temperate or tropical areas Not always a correlation with rainfall, can depend on an ability to manage water effectively.

Answer 73

Around 1.2 billion people live in areas that are water scarce Mostly Middle East and North America, Central Asia, Indian sub-continents Arid regions are most associated with physical water scarcity and there are increasing regions where water scarcity is brought on by human factors.

Answer 74

Inbalance between water use and resources available. Demand > water availability < 1700m*3 per person per year

Answer 75

Declining availibilty of water >500mm per year

Answer 76

Lack of money to effectively manage, distribute and maintain water supply

Answer 77

Climate change - rising temperature equals more evaporation Rising population Rising levels of wealth and consumption of goods (use of water directly and virtually) Commercialisation of agriculture: more water demand (fertilisers and pesticides) Industrial growth: more demand for water, contamination of water supply.