T7 (Climatic Change / Energy) Case Studies

Question 1

Dominant Oil Supplier

Answer 1

Middle East

• 60% global oil reserves
• (USA consumes over 200mn barrels a day but has less than 2%)
• Those who need oil must ensure Middle East political stability - maintain political links and economically cooperate with them

Question 2

Conflict over Oil and Gas Reserves

Answer 2

Scramble for the Arctic

• 1/4 undiscovered gas and oil: 90bn barrels (85% offshore)
• 1982: UN Law of the Sea Convention

Question 3

Energy Source Choice

Answer 3

Brazil
- Oil 48% energy, HEP 35% - biofuel
France
- 42% Nuclear, Oil 36%
- limited reserves: 0.01% global fossil fuel
China
- 89% coal and oil - coal 67% - NIC
- Three Gorges Dam
- 13% global coal reserves = cheapest

Question 4

Energy Conservation: Housing

Answer 4

BedZed

• London borough, 99homes, built 2000/2
• cars discouraged (milage 65% less)
• Heating requirements 88% less UK average, electric 25% less (solar panels)
• south facing triple glazed good insulation

Question 5

Global Warming Impacts: Ecosystems

Answer 5

Coral Reefs

• susceptible to sea water temp change
• 30% Asia’s corals gone in 30years
• 1997 galapagos islands sea warm = coral bleaching

Question 6

Global Warming Impacts Case Study 1

Answer 6

UK

• winter deaths decline - 20,000 a year
• summer deaths increase to 2800 a year
• disease increase, malaria possibility
• flood risk, air pollutants and ozone

Question 7

Global Warming Impacts Case Study 2

Answer 7

Maldives

• 3m seawall around capital Male storm surge protection
• 80% islands just 1m above sea level
• sea level rise up to 90cm next 100 years
• dead corals = exposed to sea
• high sea temps = corals bleached = loss natural defence
• Main industries (fishing and tourist) under threat
• pumping sand onto island to stop
• turtles threatened loss habitat
• trying to create artificial coral reefs (coral grow on steel rods) - does little
• new city 2m asl being created
• potential if disappear buy land abroad or built entirely over water

Question 8

Views on Climate Change

Answer 8

Al Gore
- climate change a human caused emergency: need to recognise crisis
Bjom Lomborg
- Problems local and related to poverty: weak data but agrees humans adding
Stern Report
- a threat with high risks and time running out

Question 9

Strategies for dealing with climate change: Climate Crusaders

Answer 9

Cold Play

• “xandy” funded forestry project in Mexico
• financed planting of 10,000 mango trees in India

Question 10

Strategies for dealing with climate change: Businesses

Answer 10

BA

• 2006 customers asked to pay for cost of offsetting carbon produced by flight
• 2007 Greenpeace offered BA passengers train tickets few took up offer

Question 11

Strategies for dealing with climate change: Local Government

Answer 11

London’s Congestion Charge

• 2003: £8 a day to drive in central London
• encourage public transport: £170mn invested in 2 years
• Traffic down 15%, congestion 30%

Question 12

Strategies for dealing with climate change: National

Answer 12

European Emissions Trading System (ETS)

• 14,000 factories given credits to emit certain carbon levels
• manufacturing now out of europe
• polluters build credit reserves

Question 13

Strategies for dealing with climate change: International

Answer 13

2015 Paris Agreement

• Obama promised cut emissions 26% 2005 to 2025
• Chinese promised peak emissions by 2030
• EU 40% cut by 2030 based on 90s levels