UK environmental challenges Flashcards

Question

What are facts about non renewable resources

Answer 1

Coal: Use to be the main energy source In 2015, the last deep shaft pit closed. Coal is only extracted from open cast pits Natural gas: In the past, it mainly came from the North Sea but it is starting to become imported By 2019, the UK is expected to import 60% of gas required for electricity generation Nuclear: Uses uranium as raw material Located by the coast as they need huge quantities of water for cooling Some are near ports where uranium is imported to

Answer 2

47% - Gas 29% - Coal 16% - Nuclear 1% - Oil 6% - Renewable (excl. hydro) 1% - Hydroelectric Coal is still important despite the closure of the last deep mine

Answer 3

1950s: Coal generated almost all of the UK’s electricity Used in industry, heat homes and fuel steam trains Since the 1950s: Coal has declined as mines closed and employment fell Oil increased from production from the North Sea Natural gas and nuclear increased Renewables increased very slightly due to high cost and abundance of non renewables

Answer 4

1961 - Coal was the main energy source 1974 - OPEC quadrupled the price of oil on the world market. Fortunately, the Uk started to produce its own in the North Sea 1984-85 - Miners strike. Mines closed, jobs were lost. Expensive to mine coal and alternate energy sources were becoming available 1990s - EUs ‘Gas Burn’ was repealed so the gas industry was able to grow rapidly 2007 - the White Paper ‘Meeting the energy challenge’, the government recognised the need to build more electric power stations to replace those built in the 1960s and 70s

Answer 5

Growth in the UKs population Increasing demands in the home , industry and transport During 1970-2000, energy consumption increased by 15% Since 1990, it has increased by 1% each year After 2000, it has started to decline

Answer 6

The government insulation policy. Under CERT, 5.3 million homes received free loft insulation and 2.6 million got their cavity walls filled Since 2007, homes in England and Wales had to undergo Energy Performance Certification before they were sold or let Since 2005, all boilers must have a rating of at least B

Answer 7

The EU ‘energy level’ details the energy efficiency of products. From 2017, it will be A*** - D In 2011, the EU adopted the ‘Energy Efficiency Plan’ which encourages the construction of more energy efficient homes

Answer 8

ncrease contribution of renewable resources: Target of 15% of the UK’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2020 Target of 500,000 jobs will be created Encourage energy saving and conservation: All homes need to have an energy efficient survey before being sold or rented Technology is being encouraged to develop efficient appliances Develop nuclear energy: Not really renewable as it uses raw material (some can be reprocessed for future use) Alternative that is relatively sustainable Develop carbon capture and storage: Capture carbon from power stations and store underground within rock and aquifers

Answer 9

Powers 4,500 homes Uses 45,000 tons of food waste each year Produces biofertilisers and compost

Answer 10

In the absence of oxygen, bacteria is used to break down the slurry and silage creating methane rich biogas This methane is buried as fuel to generate electricity which is sold to the National grid to make a profit The waste organic matter forms a valuable liquid fertiliser that farmers can use The heat produced can be used locally

Answer 11

1976 - First pumped storage HEP in Scotland began operations. Cruachan Loch is on of four pumped storage schemes in the UK 1970s - Oil prices suddenly rose and miners strike encouraged government to look into renewable energy 1986 - Southampton started using geothermal heat to pump hot water through a district heating system Late 1800s - several wind turbines were constructed 1990 - Renewables produced 2% of the UK’s electricity generation (25% in 2015)

Answer 12

Kirkby Moor Wind Farm, Cumbria: In 2015, local councillors objects to plans to replace the twelve existing 42 m turbines with six 115 m turbines Many people travel here for the view that inspired many artists and writers. This impact tourism which would affect many people’s livelihoods

Answer 13

Makes up 50% of the UK’s energy supply (45% is imported) Gas burns cleanly so it is far less polluting Reasonably secure as the UK can produce it from the North Sea

Answer 14

Used in the USA and other countries but is controversial Concerns about minor earthquakes and pollution of groundwater In 2016, fracking was given the go ahead in Lancashire

Answer 15

Expensive to build Relatively efficient and provide sustainable power In 2015, China announced that they would invest in the UK’s nuclear programme

Answer 16

High cost of building new nuclear power station as well as the decommissioning of old ones New power stations may make electricity more expensive Expensive to extract oil and gas from the North Sea

Answer 17

Fracking is a political issue with different parties having different stances To what extent should foreign countries, operate or invest in Uk energy Will the government continue to support and encourage the renewable sector with grants and subsidies

Answer 18

Committed to reducing carbon emissions Fracking has environmental concerns Nuclear power has some concerns Construction of wind and solar farms