Topic 2 (Counting the Cost of Fossil Fuel Use) Flashcards
Identify two factors that contribute to global demand for renewables
Increase in world population.
Increase in the use of goods / materials.
Increased travel.
Decrease in fossil fuel sources.
Name one emerging economy
Brazil , India , China , Russia
Role of emerging economies in demand for renewables
increased fuel demand for transportation,
industrial growth and increased standard of living, in this way it contributes to
the rising global demand.
The additional demand also contributes to the decline in fossil fuel supplies as
these are used up more rapidly. The high energy demand however also contributes to the rising demand for
renewable energy as the emerging economy seeks to supplement and secure
its energy supplies.
Describe two different reasons why fossil fuel use in emerging economies, such
as Brazil, Russia, India and China, is rising.
In emerging economies there is a high demand for fossil fuels from industry for
energy provision and manufacture.
The impact of increasing population resulting in increasing demands for fuel
for heat, electricity, transport etc.
In emerging economies, the population has greater lifestyle expectations
resulting in greater demands for energy and products which use fossil fuels in
their manufacture and production.
Explain the concept of fuel security.
Fuel security refers to a nation’s ability to access a
continuous affordable supply of (fossil) fuels.
Outline two ways that a country can enhance its fuel security.
Reduce dependency on fossil fuels
* Form political alliances with fuel rich countries
* Develop alternative indigenous fuel
supplies, e.g. renewable energy, biomass
Explain why countries will have to reduce their use of coal-fired electricity in
order to alter their greenhouse gas emissions.
Burning coal to produce electricity releases carbon dioxide gas which is a
greenhouse gas.
It is implicated in causing global warming and climate change. To reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, countries will have to burn less fossil fuel.
Describe two ways in which the global use of fossil
fuels impacts on the environment
Habitat degradation {1} caused by e.g. rising sea level rises,
desertification and polar icecaps melting. Plants and animals cannot adapt to
the new environment and do not survive in it {1}.
*
Impact on biodiversity {1}; loss of species results in less food for other
species so there is a knock on effect on biodiversity {1}.
*
Air quality reduction {1}; combustion of fossil fuels produces Sulphur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides which form acid rain. Combustion also produces
soot particulates which cause breathing difficulties {1}.
*
Land and water contamination {1}; disturbing the geology of a region to
extract fossil fuels leads to water becoming contaminated with e.g. toxic metals.
This water is not safe to drink. Land contamination can come from the process
of extraction and also disposal of the waste from fossil fuels and combustion
{1}.
Explain how fossil fuel use has had a detrimental effect on the environment with
reference to the following:
Habitat degradation:
Air quality reduction:
Explain how fossil fuel use has had a detrimental effect on the environment with
reference to the following:
Habitat degradation:
Air quality reduction:
