6.2 Energy Resource Management (Edexcel GCSE Geography A)

Energy mix is the percentage that each energy source contributes to the total energy consumption of a country or region.

False.

The UK still relies heavily on fossil fuels for its energy mix.

Biofuel is a fuel derived from plant or animal waste, used as an alternative to fossil fuels.

True.

The energy mix of emerging countries is less varied than that of developed countries and tends to be more dependent on fossil fuels.

Energy consumption has decreased by 13% in the UK since 1970. This is due to declining manufacturing industry and reduced domestic energy consumption.

The cost of importing energy to the UK in 2021 was £117 billion.

To further reduce imports, the UK government has considered options, including:

• Awarding 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences

• Investing in low-carbon hydrogen projects and nuclear power

Developing countries are dominated by biofuels, mostly fuelwood used for heating and cooking, particularly in rural areas.

A country's wealth impacts the energy sources used because:

• Developing countries are less able to invest in a wider range of energy sources

• Even where they have energy sources, they may not be able to exploit them

Qatar has significant gas reserves, which means that over 90% of its energy comes from gas.

Energy demand is the amount of energy that the population of a country/region is consuming.

An energy surplus is an excess of energy. This means a country or place has more energy than it needs to meet the demand.

An energy deficit is when a country or place does not have enough energy to meet the demand.

False.

Global energy demand has rapidly increased due to population growth, development, and advances in technology.

Consumption is the action of using up a resource.

False.

Developed countries tend to have higher energy consumption per person than developing countries.

Development increases energy demand because:

• There are more industries

• People buy more appliances and technology

• More people own cars and fly

• Technological advances lead to more appliances which rely on energy

Three factors that have increased global energy demand are:

• Population increase

• Development/increased wealth

• Advances in technology

The USA consumes 16% of the world's energy.

False.

The use of coal has several environmental impacts, including air pollution, water pollution, and habitat destruction.

Environmental disadvantages of coal include:

• Pollution of water sources

• Production of CO2

• Destruction of habitats

A Positive impact of nuclear power is the creation of jobs.

Negative impacts include the expense of building nuclear power station and the dangers of radiation leaks.

Open cast mining is where minerals are extracted from an open pit on the surface.

True.

Gas does have lower emissions than oil or coal.

HEP is Hydroelectric power.

Some people oppose onshore wind farms due to:

• Noise pollution

• Considering the turbines visually unattractive

• The impact on the migration of birds

• The construction of turbines generates CO2 emissions

True.

Reservoirs flood large areas of land and this may require people living in the area to be relocated.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of extracting shale gas by injecting a mixture of sand, chemicals, and water into shale rocks at high pressure.

True.

Fracking reduces reliance on gas imports by enabling the extraction of domestic shale gas reserves.

False.

Fracking has several negative environmental impacts, including:

• Potential contamination of water supplies

• Induced earthquakes

• Emissions of methane and other gases

Fracking has several advantages including:

• Fewer emissions than burning coal or oil

• Reduces reliance on gas imports - increases energy security

• Increases employment

• Gas is easy to transport

• Reduces people's energy bills

Technological advances mean that more reserves of coal, oil and gas can be reached in difficult environments.

The rocks are shattered by sand, chemicals and water pumped in at high pressure.

Onshore shale gas fracking began in 2008 in the UK.

True.

In the UK, fracking was stopped in 2019 due to environmental concerns.

False.

Many environmental organisations in the UK, such as The Wildlife Trust, Greenpeace, and the National Trust, are against fracking due to concerns about increased reliance on fossil fuels, impacts on the local environment, and disruption to local communities.

Stakeholders are individuals or organizations involved in or affected by a particular issue, such as the exploitation of energy resources.

The UK government banned fracking in 2019, stating that it would only go ahead if it could be proven to be safe, sustainable, and of minimal disturbance to local communities.

True.

Some businesses are in favour of fracking due to the potential for job creation and additional energy supply to support economic growth.

Fracking could create 32,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Environmental impact refers to the effects of human activities or developments on the natural environment.

Stakeholders may include:

• Governments

• Businesses

• Individuals

• Local community groups

• Lobbying/environmental groups

True.

Up to 2050 fracking could provide up to 22% of the UK's energy consumption.

Arguments against fracking include:

• Environmental damage

• Disruption to local communities

• Gas leaks Subsidence

• Groundwater contamination

• Earthquakes

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty signed by 195 countries in 2015 at the UN climate change summit, aiming to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C by setting country targets and providing funding for developing countries to support the use of renewable energy sources.

Carbon footprint is a measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.

True.

Insulating walls and roof spaces can help reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling, thereby reducing energy use and carbon emissions.

Energy efficiency refers to using less energy to perform the same task or produce the same result, thereby reducing energy waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

True.

Installing solar panels can help reduce an individual's carbon footprint by generating renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Sustainable energy management is the practice of using energy resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs while minimising environmental impact.

The UK has committed to a 77% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035.

False.

The UK ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will begin in 2035.

Marks and Spencer has reduced emissions by 28% by:

• Installing solar panels

• Using electricity from 100% renewable sources

• Energy-efficient appliances

• LED lighting

• Replacing diesel transport with bio LNG

Fuelwood is the main source of fuel for 82% of the rural population in Nepal.

The micro-hydro plant at Ruma Khola provides energy for 22 industries including farms, a metal workshop and a noodle factory.

Hydropower generates 90% of Norway's electricity.

True.

Homeowners in Oslo get a 30% subsidy for installing solar panels.

Norway has 1% of the world's gas reserves (17th in the world).