case study- UK anthropogenic GHG emissions Flashcards
how far back does historic data go on UKs carbon emissions
1751 before the industrial revolution
when did industrialisation take off in the UK and what was it powered by
early 19th century, powered by coal
what happened as a result of industrialisation
increase in CO2
what was UKs main energy source for most of the 20th century
coal
when did coal production peak and at what
1916 at 135m tonnes
what meant carbon emissions increased year on year and up until what year
- reliance on coal together with an expanding economy
-1970
why was the trend of increasing carbon production interrupted
-when GDP and economic activity fell
give three times when gdp and economic activity fell
-1921 during the minors strike
-1926 during the general strike
-decline in 1980s associated with economic recession and wide spread unemployment
when did UKs CO2 emissions peak
1971
after CO2 emissions peaked why did they then fall (4 reasons)
- the shift away from coal as the primary fuel for electricity generation to cheaper natural gas
2.the development of nuclear power stations and renewable sources of energy since 1990s
3.improvements in energy conservation through more energy efficient homes, offices and factories
4.international obligations and legally binding reductions in carbon emissions
what happened in 2014 and why
UKs carbon emissions fell by a record 9% on the pervious year
-due to a fall in energy demand owing to a mild winter and spring coal consumption was the lowest since 1850s
in 2019 what % or electricity came from renewables
40%
what’s likely to lead to further reductions in carbon emissions in the future
UK governments drive to decarbonise the british economy
what has permission been granted to build
the largest solar farm in North Kent which will supply 91,000 homes
what’s in Hornsea
-the worlds largest offshore wind farm with a capacity of 1200MW supplying 1million homes off the coast of essex
