Carbon Cycle

Question 1

How does development influence a countries energy mix?

Answer 1

• Developing countries have different priorities and may need to exploit natural resources to aid economic development (Venezuela)
• Developed countries have more money to invest in renewables (Sweden)
• Developing couturiers have more immediate threats than climate change so more likely to use cheaper fossil fuels
• Developed countries have a greater reliance for fuelling cars
• developed countries more likely to use biofuels and biogas as can be used on a very small scale for individual communities, where the government cant afford to supply energy (indian biogas)

Question 2

What mitigation strategies are there for dealing with climate change?

Use examples

Answer 2

1) carbon taxation - The UK’s ‘Carbon price floor’

2) Energy efficiency - Germany ranked first in efficiency
- Requires all building to reduce energy consumption by 25%
- subsidies to improve inefficiencies in manufacturing and loans to renovate older properties

3) Renewable switching - Sweden 80% renewable
4) afforestation - South Korea 11 billion trees planted by 2008
5) Carbon capture - Canada worlds first, aims to cut 90% of carbon from coal power station