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GCSE Geography > Topic 9: Consuming Energy Resources > Flashcards

Topic 9: Consuming Energy Resources Flashcards

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1
Q

3 categories of energy sources

A
  • Renewable
  • Non-renewable
  • Recyclable
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2
Q

Renewable energy meaning

A

An energy source is renewable if it can be replenished on a very short timescale. Theyre also known as flow resources because the planet has an endless supply of them

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3
Q

3 examples of renewable energy sources

A

Wind energy - turbines use energy of wind to generate electricity, either on land or at sea
Solar energy - energy from the sun used to generate electricity using photovoltaic cells
HEP - uses energy of falling water. Water trapped by dam falls through tunnels where pressure from falling water turns turbines to generate electricity

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4
Q

Non-renewable energy meaning

A

Cant be replenished quickly - take millions of years to form, meaning they can run out. Also known as stock resources as the planet has a limited supply of them

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5
Q

Example of non-renewable energy source

A

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) - fossil fuels formed millions of yrs ago from remains of dead organisms. Can be extracted from the ground & seabed.

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6
Q

Recyclable energy source meaning

A

Those made from waste products or their waste products can be used to generate more energy

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7
Q

2 examples of recyclable energy sources

A

Nuclear energy - uses uranium atoms - when they split, heat is produced, which is used to boil water. The steam turns a turbine, generating electricity. New reactors can generate more fuel during splitting process, making nuclear energy more like a renewable source. Radioactive waste can also be processed so can be used to generate more energy
Biomass - wood, plants, animal waste can be burnt to release energy or used to produce biofuels. Easy to produce biomass as living organisms grow fast. Sometimes waste products from production of biofuels can also be used as fuel

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8
Q

Environmental impacts of mining

A
  • Surface mining strips away large areas of soil, rock & vegetation, permanently scarring the landscape
  • Habitats are destroyed to make way for mines - loss of biodiversity
  • Clearing forests affects water cycle as theres fewer trees to take up water from ground, can lead to increased soil erosion
  • Mining processes can release greenhouse gases
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9
Q

Environmental impacts of drilling

A
  • Onshore drilling requires land to be stripped of vegetation to make space for the drills & rosds to access sites
  • Oil spills cause major damage to environment - especially out at sea (the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 leaked 4mil barrels of oil into Gulf of Mexico). Oil coats feathers & fur reducing animals ability to move freely or feed.
  • Extracting natural gase from underground reserves can cause methane to leak into atmosphere
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10
Q

Negative environmental impacts of Wind energy

A
  • Large numbers of wind turbines needed to produce significant amount of electricity & need to be set quite far apart - take up lots of space
  • Wind farms produce a constant humming noise - people living close have complained about this noise pollution
  • Spinning blades can kill/injure birds
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11
Q

Negative environmental impacts of Solar energy

A
  • Some solar farms use ground & surface water to clean their solar panels, can lead to water shortages in arid areas
  • Heat reflected from mirrors can kill wildlife (eg. Birds)
  • Solar panels built on ground can disturb/damage habitats
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12
Q

Negative environmental impacts of HEP

A
  • HEP plants use dams to trap water for energy production - creating a reservoir, which floods a large area of land
  • River on which dam is built can be affected by changes in water flow (eg. Sediment deposited in reservoir instrad of further downstream)
  • Build-up of sediment can block sunlight causing plants & algae in river to die
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13
Q

Factors that impact a country’s access to energy

A

Technology - some countries unable to exploit energy resources due to technology required being unavailable or too expensive.
Geology - eg. fossil fuels are found in sedimentary rocks, countries located on plate boundaries may be able to access geothermal energy
Accessibility - an area might have large energy resources but unable to access them. Eg. Permafrost makes it very difficult to access fossil fuels
Climate - eg. solar power requires large amounts of sunlight - would be more effective in sunny climates
Landscape - eg. high ground or coastal areas would be more effective for HEP as requires lots of water & steep-sided valleys for reservoirs

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14
Q

Energy consumption in developed countries

A

Developed countries tend to consume lots of energy per person because they can afford to. Most people have access to electricity & heating, & use energy-intensive devices (eg. cars).

Industrial activity mainly in manufacturing industries - use lots of energy

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15
Q

Energy consumption in emerging countries

A

Economic development is increasing wealth in emerging countries, meaning more people are buying things that use energy (eg. Cars, fridges, tv)

Industrial activity mainly in manufacturing industries - use lots of energy

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16
Q

Energy consumption in developing countries

A

Consume less energy per person as they are less able to aford it. Less energy is available & lifestyles are less dependent on high energy consumption

Industrial activity mainly in primary industries (eg. agriculture) - use very little of energy

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17
Q

What are oil reserves?

A

The amount of recoverable oil - oil that can be extracted using today’s technology

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18
Q

What is oil production?

A

Process of extracting & refining crude (unrefined) oil

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19
Q

Where are most of the world’s oil reserves found

A

Countires in middle east

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20
Q

Factors that affect oil production

A

Infrastructure - in order to produce oil, a country needs right equipment & technology.

Domestic demand - Saudia Arabia (one of world’s biggest oil producers) relies on oil to meet its own energy needs

Shrinking reserves - oil production from North Sea reserves has been declining as reserves are used up

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21
Q

Why is global oil consumption increasing as countries develop?

A
  • As GDP per capita increases, so does oil consumption. People in wealthier countries have more energy-intrusive goods (eg. Cars). Around 65% of all oil is used to fuel vehicles
  • Rapid industrialisation in emering economies increases oil consumption due to combination of a growing population, an increase in industry & expansion of cities.
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22
Q

Factors that affect oil supply & oil prices

A

Conflicts - can disrupt oil production, which leads to decrease in oil supply. Shortages of oil causes prices to increases
Diplomatic relations - oil prices may increase due to tensions between oil-producing countries. Eg. Saudia Arabia & Iran
Recessions - lower the demand for oil as industrial activities & economic growth slow down - causing prices to fall
Economic booms - oil prices increase during periods of rapid economic growth due to increased consumption & demand

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23
Q

Economics benefits of exploiting new oil & gas reserves

A
  • Countries with oil & gas reserves can save money by reducing energy imports
  • These countries can also make money from exporting energy
  • Oil & gas companies bring investment & jobs to an area. Eg. One oil company in Alaska has invested $4.5mil into communities & employs 1700 ppl
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24
Q

Environmental costs of exploiting new oil & gas reserves

A
  • In order to reach new reserves, land my have to be cleared to make way for pipelines & roads. This can disrupt fragile ecosystems & cause loss of biodiversity
  • Exploring offshore oil & gas reserves can have a big impact on marine life. Noise & vibrations from drills can confuse qhales & other marine mammals that rely on sound to communicate, navigate & find food.
  • Opening up isolated areas with roads & industry increases air pollution & can pollute soils & water
25
Q

How are unconventional energy reserves extracted?

A

Unconventional energy reserves are exploited using more expensive methods that need specialist technology (eg. Hydraulic fracking). Extraction takes a lot longer than from conventional reserves

26
Q

What is shale gas?

A

A form of natural gas that is trapped in shale rock underground. Its extracted by fracking:
- Liquid is pumped into the shale rock at high pressure
- This causes the rock to crack (fracture), releasing the gas, which is collected as it comes out of the well

27
Q

Negative environmental impacts of fracking

A
  • The chemicals used in fracking liquid as well as the shale gas itself can pollute groundwater & drinking water - has become big problem in some fracking areas in the USA, where ppl have been able to set fire to their tap water
  • Land has to be cleared to build drilling pads for fracking - destroying habitats & disrupting ecosystems
28
Q

What are tar sands?

A

Contain bitumen, which can be refined to produce oil. Its mainly extracted by mining:
- Surface mines collect tar sands & transport it to processing plants, which use water & chemicals to separate the bitumen from the sands

29
Q

Negative environmental impacts of surface mining

A
  • Vast amounts of space needed, devastating habitats. Can cause reduction in biodiversity as organisms have less space to live & find food
  • Processing tar sands creates huge amounts of liquid waste full of harmful chemicals. These can pollute water supplies if they arent managed properly
30
Q

How can demand for energy be reduced?

A

Energy conservation - conserving energy is about changing our behaviour as consumers. Eg. Driving less, deying clothes on a washing line instead of in a dryer

Energy efficiency - if something is energy efficient, it does the same job but using less energy. Eg. Low-energy lightbulb

These can also make energy supplies last longer & reduce carbon emissions

31
Q

How can demands for energy be reduced at HOME?

A

Insulation - by insulating walls, roofs & floors, less energy is required to heat homes
Modern boilers - new boilers are more efficient than older models, so will use less energy
Solar panels can be fitted to roofs of homes providing renewable, low-carbon energy

32
Q

How can demands for energy be reduced in TRANSPORT?

A

Hybrid cars, vans & trains combine diesel & electric power to increase efficiency. They use electricity when possible, & recharge their batteries using diesel power
Regenerative braking - vehicles can be fitted with devices to store energy lost under braking, to be used late or returned to national grid
Engine manufacturers are making more efficient engines in response to laws & rising fuel costs
Encouraging walking or cycling reduces demand for energy used for transport

33
Q

3 advantages of reducing the use of fossil fuels

A
  • Reducing carbon footprints
  • Improving energy security
  • Diversifying the energy mix
34
Q

How is ‘reducing carbon footprints’ an advantage to reducing use of fossil fuels

A
  • Burning fossil fuels released greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming
  • Reducing use of energy from fossil fuels reduces people’s carbon footprint
35
Q

How is ‘improving energy security’ an advantage to reducing use of fossil fuels

A
  • Energy security means have a reliable, uninterrupted & affordable supply of energy available
  • Switching to renewable sources will make sure energy is still available when supply of fossil fuels run out
36
Q

How is ‘diversifying the energy mix’ an advantage to reducing use of fossil fuels

A
  • Reducing reliance on finite fossil fuels & increasing amount of energy generated by alternative methods will diversify the energy mix
  • Having a diverse energy mix reduces a country’s reliance on a single source of energy
  • This also increases energy security as countries are less affected by shortages of one energy source, reducing risk of energy deficits (amount of energy produced isnt enough to meet needs)
  • Using renewables instead of fossil fuels will also make non-renewable energy sources last longer
37
Q

Disadvantages of Biofuels

A
  • Sources of biomass have to be managed sustainably to ensure they dont run out
  • Growing crops for biofuels reduces emount of food crops that can be grown & lots of water needed
  • Growing crops for biofuels leads to deforestation
38
Q

Advantages of Biofuels

A
  • Biofuels cause less pollution than fossil fuels when burned
  • Some biofuels are made from waste products, so they reduce total mount of waste produced
39
Q

Disadvantages of Wind energy

A
  • Wind is unpredictable, so amount of electricity produced varies
  • Noisy, harmful to birds, ruins landscapes
  • Expensive to transport electricity produced from offshore wind farms
40
Q

Advantages of Wind energy

A
  • Dont release any greenhouse gas emissions
  • Relatively cheap
41
Q

Disdvantages of Solar energy

A
  • Sunny climates needed, so unreliable
  • Toxic metals (eg. Mercury) used in construction of panels
  • Panels can affect habitats & ecosystems
42
Q

Advantages of Solar energy

A
  • No emissions produced
  • Dont require much maintenance once installed
  • Technology widely available
43
Q

Disadvantages of HEP

A
  • Expensive to build, require lots of water & land
  • Methane may be released from rotting organic matter in reservoirs created behind dams
44
Q

Advantages of HEP

A
  • No pollution
  • Flow of water through turbines can be controlled, reliable source
45
Q

Disadvantages of Hydrogen fuel

A
  • Hydrogen rarely exists by itself on Earth, energy is required to extract it, usually fossil fuels, releasing gg
  • Technology is expensive, not widely available - unlikely to be able to increase energy security
  • Storing hydrogen is dangerous - flammable
46
Q

Advantages of Hydrogen fuel

A
  • Burning hydrogen doesnt release harmful emissions - only by-product is water
  • Hydrogen usually extracted from water, so plentiful supply in most areas
47
Q

2 main energy futures

A

Business as usual - everything carries on as normal. Continue getting most of our energy from fossil fuels & dont increase use of renewables

Move to sustainability - we reduce amount of fossil fuels used & increase use of renewables

48
Q

Consumer attitudes to energy futures

A
  • Consumers want secure energy supplies that wont be disrupted in future
  • Want cheap power, sustainable energy requires investment - can increase price
  • Many favour ‘bussiness as usual’, provides cheap, secure supply of energy. Some starting to favour ‘sustainability’ as ff run out
49
Q

TNCs attitudes to energy futures

A
  • Many TNCs involved in extracting & refining ff & invest lots into the energy sector
  • Controlling oil reserves gives TNCs lots of power/wealth, meaning they may lose money if theres a shift to renewables
  • Sustainable energy needs more investment than fossil fuels, so TNCs would have higher costs & lower gains. Favour ‘business as usual’
50
Q

Governments attitudes to energy futures

A
  • Governments want secure future energy supplies - fossil fuels are cheap & reliable short-term method, but a more sustainable approach is needed for long-term
  • In developed countries, stsrting to come under pressure from consumers to protect environment
  • Fossil fuels have helped many countries develop. Govs of emerging countries concerned whether sustainable energy will do same
51
Q

Climate scientists attitudes to energy futures

A
  • They study climate & how human activities are affecting it. Predict a temp increase in future under ‘business as usual’
  • Want to reduce reliance on fossil fuels to lessen consequences of climate change
52
Q

Environmental groups attitudes to energy futures

A
  • Want to stop people relying on fossil fuels as extraction & use harms environment
  • Want people to switch to renewables in line w ‘move to sustainability’ scenario
53
Q

Why are attitudes to energy futures changing in developed countries?

A
  • Rising affluence
  • Education
  • Environmental concerns
54
Q

Why are attitudes to energy futures changing in developed countries: RISING AFFLUENCE

A
  • People with more money can afford to make a choice abt energy use. Eg. Buying newer fuel-efficient cars
  • Governments in developed countries have more money to invest in public transport & renewables
55
Q

Why are attitudes to energy futures changing in developed countries: EDUCATION

A
  • Ppl in developed countries have better access to education through schls & media - better understanding of consequences of unsustainable energy use
  • Ppl learn how to reduce their carbon footprint, more interest in renewables
56
Q

Why are attitudes to energy futures changing in developed countries: ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

A
  • Developed countries can afford to invest in research into environmental impacts of diff energy sources - creates more awareness abt energy consumption, how to reduce footprint
  • In developing countries, economic development can overshadow environmental concerns
57
Q

What is a carbon footprint?

A

Measure of the amount of greenhouse gases generated by activities of an individual, organisation or product

58
Q

What is an ecological footprint

A

Measure of how much land is needed to support an individuals lifestyle. Can be used on a larger scale to calculate impact of cities, countries, or world population

59
Q

Factors used to calculate carbon & ecological footprints

A

Food - eg. How much meat you eat (process of meat production produces huge amounts of gg’s & takes up lots of land)
Home - eg. Size of your house & how many ppl live in it. Also looks at type of energy ppl use to heat homes & whether it has energy-saving features
Travel - to do w air travel, commuting & what sort of transport you use
Lifestyle - how much you spend on clothes, devices, etc. in a year & how much recycling you do

GCSE Geography (10 decks)

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