The global energy and environment situation

Question 1

Write what there is to know about the World population

Answer 1

The world population is about 8billion people right now and is estimated to keep growing. Asia and Africa have the highest growth rates respectively.

Question 2

Describe briefly the The global energy use 1800 - 2022

Answer 2

In the 1800’s the primary energy used was traditional biomass (in the form of wood and animal by products like dung), then coal and oil were discovered , then natural gas then nuclear energy ; followed by hydropower , wind , solar , modern biofuels (which came in the form of crops that could produce ethanol and biodiesel. Then the discovery of other renewable energy sources. Most the discovery of other energy sources outside of traditional biomass came between the 1900’s and 2000’s.

Question 3

What is the substitution method ?

Answer 3

This a method used to correct how much energy is wasted when fossil fuels and biomass are used as energy sources. The substitution method considers the primary input energy not the produce for consumption . This method ensures that when renewables are being compared to fossil fuels it is done on equal ground , because otherwise the energy wasted during production and conversion will go unaccounted for and might make fossil fuels seem more efficient. The main aim is to determine and understand how much renewables will be required to replace fossil fuels.

Most preferred by intergovernmental panel on climate.

Question 4

How is global energy consumption changing year-to-year?

Answer 4

The demand for global energy grows from year to year along with the population . If the increase in demand is not offset by increased efficiency elsewhere in the energy scheme then consumption will increase which will then make it difficult for a transition to low carbon energy sources from fossils.

Question 5

What is the goal for new low carbon energy?

Answer 5

It has to aim to meet the energy demand and displace fossil fuels in the energy mix

Question 6

How much energy do countries across the world consume?

Answer 6

From data collected in 2022 the countries that consume the most electricity is the USA and some countries in Asia specifically china they consumed about 20,000 Twh . How ever most countries in USA, North America, Asia and South America and the middle eastermpn countries consume b/n 2000Twh and 20,000Twh. While most countries in Africa and some part of south America consume 500Twh.

Question 7

How much energy is consumed per capita?

Answer 7

According to the data collected the largest consumer per capita include: Norway, Iceland, Canada , USA and wealthy middle eastern countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The average person in these countries consume more than 100times the amount of electricity and average person in poorer countries would.

Question 8

Total electricity generation: how much electricity does each
country generate?

Answer 8

Russia, China and USA produce between 2000 and 5000 Terrawattsperhour of electricity in 2022 . With some parts of Europe , South Africa, south America , Europe and Australia producing between 200Twh and 1000Twh.

Question 9

Energy mix: what sources do we get our energy from?

Answer 9

Oil,gas and coal take up a large chunk of energy consumed according to data collected as 2022 it accounts for about 138,000 Twh of electricity consumed. Then renewables and biofuels take up a small percentage of the energy consumed. Not forgetting that in 1800’s traditional biomass was a big energy source .

Question 10

Are the following statements true or false :
1.how much energy you produce determines how much you consume.
2. Norway uses a lot of renewable energy but is also a producer of natural gas which it sells to other countries

Answer 10

Both are true

Question 11

How much of global energy comes from low-carbon sources?

Answer 11

About 1/6th of global energy comes from low-carbon sources with hydropower and nuclear energy accounting for most of this energy. With about 75% of the global energy coming from fossil fuels

Question 12

What is the global share of Energy from low-carbon sources?

Answer 12

Norway , Sweden and finland have about 60-70% of their primary energy source coming from renewables . New Zealand , North America (Canada) and some parts of South America having about 30%-50% of their primary energy coming from renewables . The rest of the world is between 0-30% .

Question 13

What is the progress today with transitioning to low carbon forms of energy.

Answer 13

Higher income countries find it relatively easier than lower income countries. This may be because in lower income countries resources go more toward other important areas like health care , job provision and alleviation of poverty.

Question 14

Another big challenge that is slowing down transition to low carbon energy sources is that high carbon energy sources are relatively easier to start using . True or false ?

Answer 14

True

Question 15

How can we curb the high prices required to start using low carbon energy sources for low income countries ?

Answer 15

1.High income countries investing in low carbon energy sources can cause a reduction in prices.
This has already been witnessed with the declining prices of solar in recent years.

Question 16

How can we ensure the adoption of low carbon energy sources?

Answer 16

This can be done through the development policies such as feed-in-tariffs and emissions-trading schemes that cap emissions.

Emissions-trading schemes: These are systems where a government sets a cap on the total amount of emissions allowed by certain industries or sectors. Companies within these sectors are issued permits that allow them to emit a certain amount of pollution. If a company emits less than their allocated limit, they can sell their excess permits to other companies. This creates a financial incentive for companies to reduce their emissions and invest in cleaner technologies.
Feed-in tariffs: This policy guarantees a minimum price for renewable energy producers for the electricity they generate. Essentially, renewable energy producers are paid a premium for the electricity they feed into the grid, making renewable energy more financially attractive and encouraging investment in renewable energy projects.
Government spending and subsidies for research and development (R&D): Governments can directly invest in R&D for green technologies by providing funding and subsidies to companies, research institutions, and universities working on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other environmentally friendly innovations. These subsidies help offset the high costs associated with developing new technologies and encourage private-sector investment in green innovation

Question 17

World primary energy consumption shares.

Answer 17

In particular Order :
Oil
Coal
Gas
Hydropower
Nuclear
Wind
Solar
Other renewables
Biofuels

Question 18

Is this statement true or false : Denmark is one of the European countries whose high carbon energy source has reduced drastically with its renewable energy sources increasing. The main renewable energy source in Denmark is wind.

Answer 18

This statement is true.

Question 19

What percentage does renewable energy sources occupy in Denmark’s electricity system.

Answer 19

Renewable energy sources in the Denmark electricity system has slowly increased and as at 2022 ocuppies over 80% of electricity production.

Question 20

Which countries have some of their primary energy sources coming from nuclear energy.

Answer 20

France has about 30% of its energy consumption coming from nuclear energy. With Sweden and Ukraine being in the 20th percentile.

Question 21

Primary energy from solar as at 2022

Answer 21

Australia = 6.1%
Spain= 5.5%
Germany = 4.6%
World = 2%

Countries with less sunlight days have less solar energy use eg . Sweden

Question 22

Primary energy from wind as at 2022

Answer 22

Denmark 27%
Sweden 16%
Uk &Spain 10%
Greece 8.5%
Norway 6%
World = 3.5%

Question 23

What do the emissions look like for the world as at 2022.

Answer 23

As at 2022 emissions in the EU , Europe and USA have drastically reduced and continue to reduce because of the transition these countries have made from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

While in some countries in Asia ,China , India and Africa , the emission reduction seems to be increasing due to heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

Question 24

Per capita co2 emissions world

Answer 24

Some parts Of Europe, Australia and Asia and North America (Canada and USA) have Co2 per capita emissions being b/n 5T to 20t.
With most of Africa and South America having per capita emissions of about 0t to 5T

Question 25

Write all you know about sulfur dioxide

Answer 25

Sulfur dioxide is another gas emitted into the atmosphere. Mostly found in areas with heavy reliance on fossil fuels eg . West and south of Africa, India , china. Some parts USA and South America have these too but they are mostly from forest fires.
Sulfur dioxide spreads , deposits and transforms into sulfuric acid which the affects the ph of soils , oceans and lakes.

Question 26

Write all you know about nitrogen dioxide

Answer 26

A gas emitted in areas where fossil fuels are used heavily. southern and parts of Africa,china and parts of Asia, parts of Europe and USA. This gas also spreads ,deposits and transforms into sulfuric acid which affects ph of soil, oceans and lakes.

Question 27

Write what you know about formaldehyde (HCHO).

Answer 27

This also an emission gas , caused by 90% man’s burning of fossil fuels and 10% natural causes. Asia , Africa north and South America and parts of Europe in small quantities.

Question 28

Emissions in the us

Answer 28

The uk had pretty high emissions in the 1970’s . This was a mixture of Ammonia, volatile organic compound’s (VOC) eg formaldehyde, NOx, So2, PM10 and PM 2.5.

There has how ever been a drastic reduction in these emissions except ammonia which remains pretty constant because it is very commonly found in agriculture.

Question 29

What are some of the consequences of emissions?

Answer 29

Global warming as at 2023 the world temperature had increased by about 1degree.
Poor air quality and health which leads to death. Air pollution contributes to 11.6% of deaths globally and are highest in middle to low income countries.

However it is important to note that death rates from air pollution are falling and this is mainly due to better kitchen equipments and ventilation for indoor air pollution ,and substitution for low carbon energy sources.