Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Geography > Carbon EQ2 > Flashcards

Carbon EQ2 Flashcards

(91 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are key energy characteristics of the USA and Western Europe?

A

Dependent on imports
Wasteful of energy
Unstable politics (Trump making huge changes in US)
import petroleum from the Middle East
Europe working on renewable energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are key energy characteristics of Russia?

A

Huge surplus of oil and gas due to large domestic supply
Inefficient use
Use energy as a political weapon, but less are reliant on them since Ukraine invasion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are key energy characteristics of China and India?

A

Reliant on coal, developing renewables
Hep (3 gorges dam) in china
Both use around 80 % fossil fuels due to industrialisation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are key energy characteristics of the middle east?

A

Big exporters of oil and gas
OPEC nations are oil rich
Reliant on around 76% gas in 2023

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are key energy characteristics of Africa?

A

Nigerian col exploitation by shell
Hep over Nile basin
Local usage of biofuels
General Energy poverty

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are key energy characteristics of South America?

A

Amazon and oil conflict
HEP + flooding of the Amazon
Shrinking glaciers in Andes leading to less HEP
Brazil is number one biofuels grower (in Amazon)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is energy security

A

Uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does long term energy security look like

A

Timely investment in energy infrastructure to supply energy in line with economic development and environmental needs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does short term energy security look like

A

A county can quickly adjust to sudden changes in the balance between supply and demand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which type of countries are more likely to be energy secure

A

Countries which meet all or more of their energy needs from within their boundaries
Use of domestic sources

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is energy security important for maintaining ?

A
  • powering transport
  • lighting settlements
  • warming and cooling homes
  • powering domestic appliances
  • defence needs
  • global market and trading of commodities
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How does energy security underpin consumerism

A

Low energy costs lead to low transport costs and Low energy bills
People have more money to spend on consuming
Low costs of energy based materials such as plastics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is an energy mix

A

The relative mix of energy sources to a countries energy consumption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why might coal usage be declining in the USA

A

declining or depleted reserves
Attempts to reduce co2 emissions to meet targets as coal is dirtiest fossil fuel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why might re-enable energy usage be increasing in the uk

A

Attempts to meet target increases
Improving technology make them cost effective

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why might natural gas energy usage be increasing in the USA

A

Large domestic supply
New techniques such as fracking mean more gas can be extracted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why is nuclear energy usage not really changing

A

Lack of public support
High costs of setting up or decommissioning plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Which countries use energy the most efficiently

A

uk
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Norway
Turkey

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Which countries have the least efficient energy usage

A

Canada
Russia
China
Ukraine
DRC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Which countries use the most energy per capita

A

Iceland
USA and Canada
Australia and New Zealand
Oman and Saudi Arabia
Russia
Scandinavian countries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which countries use the least energy per capita

A

South America
Africa
India
A lot of Western Europe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What does the energy mix of a country depend on

A
  • availability of domestic supply
  • access to imported energy
  • energy needs of the country dependent in lifestyle, climate and economic development
  • changing consumption patterns
  • national and regional policies
  • Geopolitical links
  • Historical or cultural legacies
  • cost of options
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Example of government intervention in Peru

A

Indigenous Uros people Turing to solar power
Floating reed islands which primarily used candles before
Now more attractive to tourists as less fire risk - more revenue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How does climate impact per capita energy consumption

A

High consumption in North America, Middle East and Australia to make cost of extreme temps comfortable
However depends on economy as Africa low consumption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How do environmental priorities impact per capita energy consumption
Governments concerned about government may take more expensive renewable routes Consumption decreases as cost increases
26
How does standard of living impact per capita energy consumption
Lifestyle variation Energy intensive Domestic appliances, transport, electronic appliances
27
How does cost impact per capita energy consumption
Cost of physical exploitation, processing , and delivery to consumer varies Higher cost means less consumption as not affordable
28
How does physical availability impact per capita energy consumption
Do they have a domestic supply? Is it accessible? If it has to be imported it is likely more expensive
29
How does technology impact per capita energy consumption
Tech can help access inaccessible resources such as coal and oil Technology can make energy consumption more efficient But Day to day technology requires more energy
30
How does economic development impact per capita energy consumption
Higher gdp can afford to consume more energy Higher standard of living expect energy so cost is less of an issue to them
31
What is an energy player
An individual or organisation which a vested interest in the energy industry
32
What is an energy pathway
Outs taken by energy from its source to its point of consumption Involves tankers, pipelines, electricity transmission grids
33
What is energy equity
Ensuring accessible and affordable energy for all countries
34
What is environmentally sustainable energy usage
Efficient usage of energy and use of renewable energy To reduce pollutants and greenhouse gases emissions
35
What is green energy
Energy developed from clean renewable sources
36
Who are players involved in energy supply
TNCs OPEC nations Governments
37
What players are involved in energy pathways
Shipping companies pipeline controllers TNCs
38
What are players involved in energy demand
TNCs Energy companies Governments Consumers
39
Background and info on TNCs
Exploit and distribute energy Own supply lined and investment in process and distribution as elk as energy production Respond to the market to ensure profits
40
Examples of TNCs involved in energy
BP Petrobas Petrochina Shell
41
Background and info on OPEC nations
14 countries Permanent IGO Coordinate and unify policies of members to enable efficient supply of petroleum, steady income for producers and a fair return
42
What is OPECs role in energy supply
Oil producing and exporting countries can set quotas and determine price by managing supply in member countries
43
Government role in energy supply
Meet international obligations whilst securing energy supplies Regulate role of private companies and setting environmental priorities Invest in infrastructure, put taxes in place
44
Consumer role in energy supply
Purchasing chooses usually based on prove and cost issues May have power over oil if choose to favour renewables Have some influence over supply and demand balance therefore price
45
When was most coal in North America and Western Europe found?
Carboniferous period 300-360 million years ago
46
How did coal form?
Successive layers of tropics rainforest trees within swamps accumulated as they fell Transformed under pressure of overlying strata into seams of coal
47
When were oil and gas formed
Mesozoic era 250-260 million years ago
48
How were oil and gas formed
Fossil remains of plants and animals buried under alternate layers of mud Heat and pressure converted into oil and natural gas Earths movement trapped pockets of oil and gas within sandstone and shale where rocks folded
49
Who are two largest producers of coal
China USA
50
Why are the two largest consumer of coal
China USA
51
What does the consumer and producer patterns of coal reflect
Mainly producers are consuming Coal characterised by high transport costs compared to low energy density
52
Who are the world’s leading oil exporters.?
OPEC nations North America Russia
53
Who are worlds leading oil importers
China USA Japan
54
What is europes relationship with production vs consumption of oil
Big consumers but produce very little Oil thirsty Important mismatch in supply
55
Why is there such a global demand for coal
No alternative for transport fuels Deep global market and large difference between producers and consumers
56
Who are the worlds leading gas exporters
USA Russia
57
Who are worlds leading gas consumers
Germany Japan Italy UK
58
What is a transit country
Countries through which pipelines run
59
Why do transit countries increase energy insecurity
Geopolitical disputes - transboundary Internal conflict
60
Why are more energy pathways increasingly needed?
-Growing population projected at 9.2 billion by 2050 - growing global affluence driving global demand - geopolitical disputes force governments to search for ways to spread out risks - depletion of old reserves
61
Where does the nord stream pipeline run
1200km along bed of Baltic Sea
62
What are the impacts of transit disruption
Energy spikes , reduced economic output Need to search for alternative energy sources Drive for efficiency and conservation Social unrest- rising energy costs and unemployment Political investment in domestic reserves, renewables and unconventional sources Exploitation of reserves in fragile ecosystems
63
What could rise of price of oil lead to
Extraction from fragile locations Diversification of energy sources Mining lower quality resources Improved efficiencies or reduced consumption New technologies developed Mining more extreme reserves
64
Why has the demand for unconventional energy sources grown rapidly recently
Accessible fossil fuels becoming increasingly rare Demand increasing with population growth and increased wealth Incentivised domestic production to ensure energy security
65
What are examples of unconventional energy sources
Technically difficult reserves (offshore and arctic reserves) Exploitation of pristine wilderness environments (polar, tropical forest) New tech - Fracking Lower quality reserves - tar sands
66
describe tidal power
power trapped within manmade barrage, across an estuary
67
Desribe biofuels
Crops or organic matter such as agricultural waste which can be used as fuels Renewable as Based on plants which convert light into chemical energy Biogas produced when organic matter decays - can be burnt
68
Describe solar power
Uses mirrors to concentrate suns rays onto water filled black pipes which heats to 50-60°C Cells convert solar energy into electricity
69
Describe wave power
Kinetic energy of waves converted into electrical energy by floating devices Energy stored in a battery
70
Describe hydroelectric power
Water Stored in high altitude dams or lakes, allowed to run stream and gain velocity before passing through turbines which generates electricity
71
Describe geothermal energy
Rocks in earths core contain radioactively decaying elements These heat rocks which can be used to heat water Heated water either used directly or steam produced passes through turbines to generate electricity
72
How does Iceland produce geothermal energy
Pump water through hot lava to generate hot water
73
Describe wind energy
Turbines turn and convert kinetic energy into electrical energy Energy generated is proportional to wind velocity
74
Pros and cons of wind energy
Pros - Uk is a windy island so lots of energy can be produced - One time expense - potentially infinite supply Cons: - NIMBY- Noise and visual disruption - wind can’t be depended on - can disrupt ecosystems
75
Pros and cons of solar energy
Pros: - cheap once implemented - can be built on local scale - potentially infinite supply Cons : - not always reliable in the Uk - initially expensive so not accessible to all
76
Pros and cons of tidal energy
Pros: - tidal change regular and dependable - ideal for island (UK) - Tidal barrage doubles as bridge and flood defence Cons: - disrupts marine ecosystems - very expensive to build - only a few suitable estuaries - could reduce tidal flow
77
Pros and cons of HEP
Pros: - clean energy - reliable - creates water reserves as well as energy supply Consm - Flooding of large areas to create reservoirs - displaces wildlife and people - expensive to build
78
Pros and cons of geothermal energy
Pros: - very low environmental impacts - occupies small land areas - not weather dependent Cons: - very few locations where significant energy can be generated - installation costs high
79
Pros and cons of nuclear energy
Pros: - peaceful spinoff of atomic bomb - more dependable than fossil fuels, cheap energy - waste can be reprocessed and reused Cons: - complicated, expensive, risky - potential for HUGE disasters - waste has long decay life - expensive to build and decommission nuclear plants
80
How does carbon capture and storage work
Co2 is captured directly from the source by chemical absorption Captured CO2 transported via pipelines to storage sites, where it is injected deep underground rock formations such as depleted oil and gas fields Carbo;securely stored for thousands of years
81
How does carbon capture and storage reduce carbon emissions
can reduce emissions from sectors which are hard to decarbonise Can be used to achieve net zero targets where renewable energy is less feasible
82
Example of carbon capture project
Boundary dam project in Canada Coal fired power plant Captures 1million tonnes of co2 annually
83
Uncertainties surrounding carbon capture and storage
Will co2 remain safely underground for long term? Risk of leakage Not completely efficient Very high cost May not be enough suitable geological storage for scaling up
84
How do hydrogen fuel cells work
Generate electricity through electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen Water vapour only byproduct
85
How do hydrogen fuel cells reduce carbon emissions
When produced with green hydrogen, it is a carbon free alternative to fossil fuels Replaces gasoline or diesel in transport
86
Example of hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen powered trains in Germany First train in 2018
87
What are uncertainties surrounding hydrogen fuel cells
Most hydrogen currently produced from natural gas - challenge to scale up green hydrogen production Hydrogen difficult to transport and store Green hydrogen much more expensive to produce Lack of Existing infrastructure
88
What are electric vehicles
Vehicles which run on electricity from batteries instead of gasoline or diesel engines Lithium ion batteries
89
How do electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions
They have zero tailpipe emissions Directly reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector Minimal carbon footprint if electricity comes from renewable sources Contribute to improved air quality in urban areas
90
Examples of electric vehicles
Tesla, USA Central to expansion of electric vehicle market
91
Uncertainties surrounding electric vehicles
Electric vehicles dependant on battery technology Could be hard to recycle batteries Very expensive compared to internal combustion vehicles Not enough charging stations to support total adoption Production of batteries can have a large carbon footprint EV batteries require raw materials which are becoming less available

Geography (33 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions