Consuming Energy Resources (Edexcel GCSE Geography B)

i)

Explain one reason why the rising affluence of a country can lead to a reduction in its carbon footprint.

(2)

ii)

Study Figure 10.

Figure 10

Different views about who is most to blame for deforestation in Indonesia

Assess the reasons why people disagree over who is to blame for deforestation.

(8)

Study the three options below that the Indonesian Government can choose from in order to manage the palm oil industry.

Select which option the Indonesian Government should choose that would be best for its people and its environment.

Justify your choice.

Use information from the Resource Booklet and knowledge and understanding from the rest of your geography course to support your answer.

Chosen option ......................................................

Study Figure 4 which is a map of the location of the Athabasca Tar Sands.

Figure 4

The location of the Athabasca Tar Sands

i)

Suggest two disadvantages of the location of the current mining area.

(2)

ii)

State one reason this area was the first to be developed for mining the Athabasca Tar Sands.

(1)

Study Figure 5 and Figure 6 which shows a timeline for the Athabasca Tar Sands development and varying price of crude oil and its impacts.

Figure 5

Timeline for exploitation of Athabasca Tar Sands

Figure 6

The varying price of crude oil and the impact on tar sands

The Athabasca Tar Sands are an example of an ‘unconventional oil source’.

i)

Define this term.

(2)

ii)

Explain why the rate of exploitation of the Athabasca Tar Sands has varied between 1967 and 2016.

(4)

Study Figure 6 which shows the varying prices of crude oil per barrel in recent years in US dollars ($).

i)

Explain one reason why the price of a barrel of crude oil can vary over time.

(3)

ii)

State one reason why international relations may affect the price of crude oil.

(1)

Study Figure 7 which shows the percentage contribution of various economic activities to Alberta’s economy.

Figure 7

Economic activities in Alberta - % contribution to the economy in 2014

Note: The oil industry and its supporters claim that 500 000 jobs in Canada (largely Alberta) depend directly or indirectly on oil and that this could rise to as many as 800 000 by 2025. Opponents of tar sand exploitation estimate the figure to be much lower at about 100 000 and point out that future growth is far from certain.

Calculate the percentage of Alberta’s wealth comes from energy production

................................................... %

Study Figure 8 and Figure 9.

Figure 8

Aerial photograph of tar sands development

Figure 9

Environmental Impacts of the Athabasca Tar Sands development and exploitation

The photograph and diagram show the environmental impacts of the Athabasca Tar Sands exploitation.

Using evidence from both resources, assess the view that the local impacts of tar sands mining are more severe than the global impacts.

Study Figure 10 which shows conflicting views within different groups about developing and exploiting the Athabasca Tar Sands.

Figure 10

Conflicting views about the development of the Athabasca Tar Sands

Choose 2 groups.

Assess the reasons why there are mixed views about the Athabasca Tar Sands development within your chosen groups.

Group 1 ............................................

Group 2 ............................................

Study the three options below for how the tar sands should be developed in Alberta.

Select the option that you think would be the best long term plan for both Alberta and Canada as a whole.

Justify your choice.

Use information from the Resource Booklet and knowledge and understanding from the rest of your geography course of study to support your answer.

Chosen option: ...............................................

Study Figure 4. It shows a timeline of changing oil prices and Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

Figure 4

A timeline showing changes in oil prices and Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, 1997–2017

i)

Identify Russia’s maximum GDP per capita during the period 1997 to 2017.

(1)

US$..............................................................

ii)

Identify when the price of oil fell by approximately 50%.

(1)

iii)

Identify one economic cause of falling oil prices shown in Figure 4.

(1)

iv)

Identify one political cause of rising oil prices shown in Figure 4.

(1)

Study Figures 5, 6 and 7 below which show Russia’s relationships with other countries.

Figure 5

Selected European countries which bought Russian gas, 2017

Figure 6

Selected news headlines involving Russia, 2014–2018

• Work started on the ‘Power of Siberia’ pipeline in 2018.

• It carries gas from Russian gas fields to China’s border.

• The gas is sold to China in a deal worth US$400 billion over 30 years.

• The pipeline, paid for by Russian energy company Gazprom, is over 4,000 km long.

Figure 7

The new ‘Power of Siberia’ gas pipeline links Russia to China

i)

Draw the bar for Poland on the graph below using data from Figure 5.

(1)

ii)

Explain one way in which the news headlines in Figure 6 could have affected sales of Russian gas to other countries.

(2)

iii)

Explain one way in which the ‘Power of Siberia’ pipeline shown in Figure 7 might affect sales of Russian gas to other countries.

(2)

Study Figure 8 below which shows countries where Russian energy companies are developing new oil and gas resources.

Figure 8

Selected countries where Russian energy companies are developing new oil and gas resources

Suggest two ways in which the natural environment of these countries could affect the cost of developing their oil and gas resources.

Study Figure 9 below:

• NEED FOR NEW OIL AND GAS SOURCES Russia’s own oil and gas companies need new sources if they want to maintain their production levels. Conventional sources will be running out by 2030.

• GEOLOGICAL CHALLENGES Russia has shale gas sources including the Bazhenov shale. However, complex geology presents technical problems for Russian energy companies.

• OFFSHORE DIFFICULTIES There are offshore oil reserves along Russia’s northern coastline. However, conditions there are difficult.

• POLITICAL ISSUES Russia’s energy companies want transnational corporations (TNCs) from other countries to help them develop new oil and gas reserves in Russia. However, TNCs with headquarters in the US, UK and EU countries are no longer allowed to work with Russian companies.

Figure 9

Physical and political challenges for energy companies working in Russia, 2019

Using evidence from Figure 9, assess the challenges facing Russia’s own energy companies.

Renewable and recyclable energy resources can be used instead of non-renewable fossil fuels.

i)

Explain what is meant by renewable energy resources.

(2)

ii)

Explain what is meant by recyclable energy resources.

(2)

Study Figure 10 below on the use of wind energy:

Wind energy used by selected countries, 2017

• Wind energy use has helped some EU countries to reduce their carbon emissions in line with government targets.

• In theory, much of the world’s energy needs could be met using wind power. Only a fraction of this potential is currently used.

• In Russia, up to 9,000 gigawatts of wind energy is potentially available. However, millions of new wind turbines would be needed.

• A wind turbine costs around £100,000. Also, new power networks are needed to transmit the electricity to where it is needed. However, costs will fall as the technology improves.

Figure 10

The use of wind energy

Using evidence from Figure 10, assess the influence of physical and human factors on the development of wind energy resources.

Study the three options below that the Russian government can choose from to help Russia adapt to the rapid decline of its conventional oil and gas reserves.

Select the option that you think is the best plan for Russia’s economy. Justify your choice. Use information from the Resource Booklet and knowledge and understanding from the rest of your geography course to support your answer.

Chosen option ...................................................................................................

Study Figure 5.

Consuming Energy Resources

• Norway uses about 10 million tonnes of oil annually, most of it for transport.

• A significant proportion of the energy Norway uses comes from HEP, including 95% of all electricity production.

• Norway was the first country to use a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. This works by trapping carbon dioxide from burning gas and storing it underground. Although a small-scale pilot project, it offers hope for the future.

Figure 5

Energy use fact file for Norway

i)

Calculate the percentage change in the use of energy from HEP sources between 1973 and 2015. Show your working.

(2)

.................................................. %

ii)

State two pieces of evidence indicating that Norway is trying to reduce its carbon footprint.

(2)

Study Figure 6.

Figure 6

Oil production and domestic consumption in Norway, 1992–2018

i)

Identify the year when total oil production was highest.

(1)

ii)

Identify which of the following is the best estimate of Norway’s total oil production per day in 1992.

(1)

Study Figure 7.

Figure 7

A comparison of three major oil-exporting countries, 2016

Explain why Norway exports a high percentage of the oil it produces.

(3)

Study Figure 7 and Figure 8.

Figure 8

Information about Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF)

Explain two social benefits for Norway’s people from selling its oil.

Study Figure 9.

Figure 9

Factors that may affect Norway’s future development of new offshore oil sources

Assess the challenges Norway faces in developing new offshore oil sources.

i)

Explain two energy efficiency strategies that can help fossil fuel supplies last longer.

(4)

ii)

Study Figure 10.

Figure 10

Conflicting views about developing the oil resources around Norway’s Lofoten Islands

Assess the economic costs and benefits for local people of developing this oil.

Study the three options below for Norway.

Select the option that offers the best future for Norway’s people and its environment.

Justify your choice.

Use information from the Resource Booklet and knowledge and understanding from the rest of your geography course to support your answer.

Chosen option ...................................................