Unit 8 Mini Case Studies Flashcards
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1
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Countries dependent on energy imports
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Venezuela and Nigeria
2
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Europe and Russia energy
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Europe’s dependence on Russia’s natural gas causes geopolitical tension. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to energy supply disruptions, price spikes and shortage fears
3
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Energy consumption example
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USA and China have large populations so consume more
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Middle east oil
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Dominates oil production with countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE being major exporters. Domestic consumption in these countries is also high due to heavy reliance on oil for transport and electricity generation
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North america oil
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The US is one of the largest oil consumers driven by transportation. US is also a significant producer due to shale oil
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Asia pacific oil
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China and India are among the largest consumers of oil with growing demand from industrial sectors and transportation. Asia in general is a significant importer due to its limited domestic oil production
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Europe oil
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Oil consumption is relatively lower but still important especially in transportation. European countries are trying to reduce oil dependency through policies encouraging electric vehicles and renewables
8
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Asia pacific coal
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Dominates global coal consumption with China being the largest consumer and producer accounting for over half the worlds coal use. India also relies heavily on coal especially for electricity generation
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North america coal
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The US has reduced its coal consumption due to the shift to natural gas and renewables but still consumes significant amounts for power generation
10
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Europe coal
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Coal consumption is in decline especially in western europe due to strong environmental regulations and a transition towards renewable energy. Countries like Poland and Germany still have considerable coal use
11
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Africa coal
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South Africa is the largest consumer on the continent using it primarily for electricity generation
12
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North america natural gas
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The US and Canada are major consumer and producers of natural gas with the US being the largest globally due to the shale gas revolution. It is primarily used for electricity generation and heating
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Europe natural gas
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Natural gas plays a central role in the energy mix particularly for electricity generation and heating. Countries like Germany and Italy depend on imports with Russia historically being a key supplier
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Asia pacific natural gas
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Demand for natural gas is growing rapidly in countries like China and Japan driven by efforts to reduce coal consumption and lower emissions
15
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Middle east natural gas
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Major producers like Qatar are also significant consumers with natural gas being used for both domestic power generation and as a major export
16
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Africa natural gas
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Nigeria and Algeria are major producers but much of the continent still lacks access to modern energy infrastructure so domestic consumption is lower than potential
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South america hydroelectricity
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Brazil leads the region in hydroelectric generation with nearly 2/3 of its electricity coming from hydro. Countries like Colombia and Venezuela also rely heavily on this resource
18
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North america hydroelectricity
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Canada is a major player in hydroelectric power with vast natural resources contributing to both domestic energy supply and exports to the US
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Asia natural gas
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China is the worlds largest producer of hydroelectricity benefitting from large scale projects like the Three Gorges Dam. Countries like India and Nepal also have significant hydro potential
20
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Europe natural gas
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Norway and Sweden are major hydroelectricity producer while other parts of Europe use it as a small but reliable part of their renewable energy mix
21
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Africa natural gas
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While the continent has vast potential for hydroelectricity the underdeveloped energy infrastructure limits its exploitation. Ethiopia is an emerging player with projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
22
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Europe nuclear
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France is the leader in nuclear energy with about 70% of its electricity coming from nuclear power plants. Other countries like the UK and Finland also rely on nuclear though Germany has begun phasing it out as part of its energy transition
23
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North america nuclear
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The US remains the worlds largest producer of nuclear power contributing about 20% of its electricity. Canada also has a significant nuclear sector
24
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Asia nuclear
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China is expanding its nuclear capacity rapidly with ambitious plans for growth. Japan after the Fukushima disaster scaled down its nuclear reliance but is gradually restarting plants. South Korea is another important player
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Russia nuclear
It remains a major producer and exporter of nuclear technology maintaining a significant nuclear energy share domestically
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Europe renewables
Europe is a global leader adoption with countries like Germany, Spain and Denmark making a significant investments in wind and solar energy. EU policies target carbon neutrality by 2050 accelerating the growth of renewables
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North america renewables
The US is increasing its share of renewable energy with significant investments in wind and solar. Texas and California lead in wind and solar power generation
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Asia renewables
China is the worlds largest producer and installer of solar panels and wind turbines driven by aggressive government policies to reduce reliance on coal. India is also scaling up its renewable energy capacity especially solar
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Africa renewables
Sub Saharan Africa has massive potential for solar energy and countries like South Africa, Kenya and Morocco are making strides in wind and solar energy projects
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Middle east renewables
While historically dependent on fossil field countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia are increasingly investing in solar energy as part of long term diversification strategies
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World shale oil examples
Scotland potentially has 6m barrels
Mexico planned to invest $242m in 2012 to access oil potential
Chevron oil as rights as of 2012 to drill in Colombia
An Australian energy company has discovered 233bn barrels
Japan started extraction in 2012
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Middle East reserves to production ratio
Has some of the highest due to vast reserves and stable production
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Russia reserves to production ratio
High about 20-30 years as it has large reserves
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USA reserves to production ratio
Lower of about 10-15 years due to high production rates. Has discovered new reserves recently but consumes a lot domestically
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Canada reserves to production ratio
Over 80 years but extracting reserves is more challenging
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Europe reserves to production ratio
Very low because of limited reserves so rely heavily on imports
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Africa reserves to production ratio
High but face challenges like political instability and underinvestment
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Causes of trends in energy consumption examples
The decrease in the USA is marginal but more significant in Japan, Germany and the UK. HICs such as Canada and Spain have increased energy consumption but only slightly. In 2002 energy consumption in China was less than half the USA. By 2012 it was 24% higher. India consumed less than Japan and Germany in 2002 but now consumes more than both. South Korea overtook the UK in consumption also. Bangladesh has a higher population than South Korea and Malaysia but consumed less than both in 2012 even though consumption rose then
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Haiti fuel consumption (LIC)
Fossil fuel consumption has increased by 3 MTOE. Nuclear power has remained negligible while HEP has increased by 2 MTOE. Wind and biofuels have both remained very small
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Brazil energy consumption (MIC)
Fossil fuel consumption has increased by 80 MTOE while nuclear power has again remained negligible. HEP has increased to the same level as fossil fuels and wind and biofuels have increased by a relatively small amount
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Australia's energy consumption (HIC)
Fossil fuel consumption has increased overall but decreased from 2010-2023. Nuclear power has again remained negligible but HEP has steadily increased across the period. Wind and biofuels increased significantly more from 2010-2023 than from 2000-2010
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Oil sands in Canada and Venezuela overview
They are a mixture of bitumen and sand. The bitumen doesn't flow unless heated or dilated by lighter hydrocarbons to transport by pipelines and use by refiners. Synthetic oil is a new technology. Alberta government estimated recoverable oil reserves t be 2 bn barrels. In 2012 the sands employed 22000 directly. Current production is 1.3 m barrels per day which will be 3 m by 2020. In 2012 56% of Canadas oil production came from oil sands. Albertas are the 3rd largest globally
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Environmental concerns about oil sands in Canada and Venezuela
Takes 2 tonnes of mined sand for 1 barrel or synthetic crude leaving waste
Takes 3x as much energy to produce a barrel of Alberta sands crude as it does conventionally so emit a lot of greenhouse gases
Oil sands need 2-4.5 barrels of water for 1 barrel of oil
Development of sands has impacted landscapes, removing some boreal forest
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Pushback against oil sands in Canada and Venezuela
Greenspace has asked the Canadian government and oil companies to stop developing sands on environmental, health and social grounds. In 2013 in Venezuela over 1.25 m barrels were produced per day
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Niger Delta oil overview
Covers 70000 km^2 and 7.5% of Nigerias land. Contains 75a5 of Africas mangroves. In 2006, 1.5 m tonnes of oil had been split in the delta in the last 50 years. The deltas is one of the 5 most polluted areas on earth. Pollution destroys the livelihoods of the 20 m people living in the delta. Damages crops and fishing grounds and causes regional violence. People are unhappy with bearing these costs and seeing no benefit. The oil companies do not use available technology to combat pollution. Shell claims 95% of oil discharges in the last 5 years were due to sabotage
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Niger Delta flaring impacts
The flaring of unwanted natural gas is an environmental problem. The gas is not useful because there is no pipeline infrastructure to consumer markets. 70 m m^3 are flared per day. This is 40% of Africas natural gas consumption. Flaring in the delta is the worlds largest source of greenhouse gases
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Environmental impacts on Africa's remaining mangrove forest of oil
Oil spills, acid rain from flares and stripping mangroves for pipeline routes have killed fish
From 1986-2003 over 20000 ha of mangroves removed from the coast due to land clearing and canal dredging for exploration
Oilfields contain lots of natural gas which is burnt as flares rather than being stored or re-injected. Hundreds of flares cause acid rain and releases greenhouse gases
6817 oil spills since the beginning of regional oil production or higher
Construction and shipping have changed wave patterns causing shore erosion and fish migration
Different construction types have occurred without environmental impact studies
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Recent developments in the Niger Delta oil
Protection agency only existed since 1988 and impact assessments were not mandatory until 1992. In 2015 Royal Dutch Shell agreed to an $84 m settlement with Bodo community for 2 spills affecting many mangroves. The money will go to 15000 fishermen who were affected and the general community. They have admitted along with other companies to over 550 spills in 2014. There were only 10 across all Europe from 1971-2011
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Energy pathway example
Trans Alaskan Pipelines crosses 3 mountain ranges and many large rivers. Most is above ground to avoid permafrost. The ground is permanently frozen to 300 m deep other than the top 1 m which melts in summer. Building foundations and the uprights that hold the pipeline above ground have to extend below the melting zone. Oil takes 6 days to travel 1270 km. Engineers fly over by helicopter daily to check for leaks
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Significance of air pollution
In New Delhi and Beijing, particulate matter concentrations are 10 times the recommended level
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Seveso, Italy pollution
In July 1976 a reactor at a chemical factory near Seveso in Northern Italy exploded sending a toxic cloud into the atmosphere
18 km^2 of land was contaminated with the dioxin TCDD
The immediate impact was seen in a few people with skin inflammation but this was mild
The long term impact is the population suffering from more premature deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes
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Bhopal, India pollution
A chemical factory owned by Union Carbide leaking methyl isocyanate gas on December 3rd 1984
The plant was operated by an Indian subsidiary with lower safety standards than required in the USA
8000 people died in 2 weeks and 8000 have since died from gas related diseases
Greenpeace puts the total deaths at over 20000 making it the world's worst industrial disaster
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Chernobyl, Ukraine pollution
Was the world's worst nuclear power plant accident in April 1986
A reactor exploded sending highly radioactive fallout into the atmosphere which drifted over parts of Europe and Eastern North America
2 died in the initial explosion and 336,000 were evacuated and resettled
56 direct deaths and 4000 cancer deaths were caused
The cost of $200 billion makes it one of the most expensive modern disasters
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Harbin, China pollution
Explosion at a petrochemical plant in North East China released toxic pollutants into a river
Benzene levels were 108 times national safety levels
It is a highly poisonous toxin that is carcinogenic
Water supplied were suspended
5 died, over 60 were injured and 10000 were evacuated
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China cancer villages background
Rapid economic growth in China has led to widespread environmental problems
Pollution is so severe in some areas that they are described as cancer villages
In Xiditou, southeast of Beijing, the cancer rate is 30x the national average
This is blamed on water and air contaminated by chemical factories
Tests on tap water have found traces of higher carcinogenic benzene that were 50% above national safe limits
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China cancer villages environmental controls
Local governments built factories for economic growth but had limited environmental controls
The Chinese government admits that 300 million drink polluted water
This water comes from polluted rivers and groundwater
30000 children die of diarrhea or other water-borne illnesses each year
The River Liao is the most polluted followed by waterways in Tianjin and the River Haui
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The future of Chinas cancer villages
In 2013 the government promised to tackle cancer villages after social media backlash from Chinese people and global campaigners
This related to Huangijawa in Shandong province after it was shown that this area has one of the highest rates of stomaged cancer in the world
The wells in the village have been contaminated with toxins from nearby aluminum smelting which pumps pollution into the sky
Greenpeace East Asia estimate that 320 million are without access to clean drinking water and 190 million are drinking water severely contaminated with hazardous chemicals
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BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico overview
On April 20th 2010 an explosion occurred on the BP icenced drilling rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico
11 oil workers died and a blowout preventer to prevent the release of crude oil failed to activate
The rig sank in 1500 meters of water with reports of an oil slick 8 km long on the surface
Oil leaked from the well at sea floor level for 87 days until July 15th when BP sealed it with a capping stack
The amount of oil leaking out of the well was estimated at 40000 barrels a day
The US government estimated 4.9 million barrels were spilled in total making it the largest in history
It was surpassed only by the 1991 Persian Gulf spill where Iraq intentionally spilled double this
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BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico impacts
The environmental impacts occurred in:
Offshore waters
Inshore coastal waters
Seabed wetlands and beaches
Shoreline wetlands and coaches
The spill also influenced economic and psychological damage on communities along the Gulf Coast that depend on tourism, fishing and drilling
Most of the oil has now evaporated or dissolved but 10 million gallons remain on the seafloor and gobs of oil can be found in marshes along the coast
BP claimed where was no evidence of significant long term population level impact to any species
Scientist said that the full scope of the impact is currently unknown
Bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico have been dying at over double the normal rate for the last 5 years
60
How does Delhi compare to other cities around the world in terms of pollution?
In 2014 Delhi was named the most polluted city in the world. They have PM2.5 levels about 10 times that of those in London. Air pollution is the fifth biggest cause of death in India. Delhi authorities have said that this is an overestimation of the problem compared to other polluted cities like Beijing.
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What are the main causes of pollution in Delhi and why has the problem continued to grow in recent decades?
The fast rate of expansion of Delhi has increased the environmental impacts of transportation, industrial activity, power generation, construction, domestic activities and waste generation. Transport is the main source of PM2.5, NO and VOC emissions. Road dust is the main source of PM10 emissions. Power plants are responsible for over half of SO2 emissions and almost 30% of CO2 emissions. Economic growth has created an increasing number of people with middle incomes who want their own car.
There are now an estimated 7.2 million vehicles in Delhi which is twice it was in 2000. As traffic speeds have slowed, higher levels of air pollution have occurred. Pollution levels are especially high in winter due to night time heating needs and seasonal weather conditions which trap pollutants very close to the ground.
Delhi also suffers from dust blown from Rajasthan. Water pollution and a lack of waste treatment facilities have caused damage to the Yamuna River. 22 drains flow from the city into this river. Very high levels of noise pollution are causing age-related hearing loss 15 years prematurely and residents are also concerned about garbage disposal in the city
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What are the solutions and what challenges have authorities faced trying to implement them up until now in Delhi?
85% of Delhi doesn’t have a formal trash collection system. The people are opposed to new landfills since authorities did not maintain the old ones, turning them into large polluters. Rainwater runoff from these goes into surface water drains while methane damages the air quality. Burning the waste is no longer viable because of the environmental concerns and segregation of waste. Civic bodies blame residents for not segregating waste but this will only work when corporations have a collection system and different containers for the segregated waste.
In 2014 a National Air Quality index was launched which ranks Indian cities. It gives information on the air quality to take steps to reduce pollution. Investment in public transport has been slow. In December 2002 an 8.3km rail wind was developed which has been extended to 190km. Delhi bus rapid opened in 2008 with a 5.6km route. Shutting coal power plants, promoting motorless transport and imposing strict penalties for those violating pollution control norms are suggestions that the government is looking at to improve the air quality in the city
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Rapid population growth constraint on improving degraded environments
In Sub-Saharan Africa, where population growth rates are among the highest globally fertile land is overused for farming
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Rural-urban migration constraint on improving degraded environments
In Brazil, rural poverty has driven migration to cities like Sao Paulo leading to sprawling slums that encroach on the Atlantic Forest
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Climate change constraint on improving degraded environments
In Bangladesh rising sea levels and storm surges have led to the salinization of farmland making it harder to grow crops
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Environmental hazards constraint on improving degraded environments
In Haiti, the 2010 earthquake destroyed infrastructure and left forests vulnerable to illegal logging. Reforestation could reduce future landslides but Haiti's poverty makes rebuilding even basic infrastructure a challenge
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Lack of knowledge constraint on improving degraded environments
In Indonesia slash and burn farming for palm oil plantations contributes to deforestation and air pollution
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Poor management at central and local levels constraint on improving degraded environments
In India large scale river cleaning initiatives such as those for the Ganges have stalled due to poor coordination between national and state governments
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Lack of financial investment constraint on improving degraded environments
In many parts of Africa restoring forests or managing water resources competes with funding for healthcare, education and infrastructure
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Civil war constraint on improving degraded environments
In the Democratic Republic of Congo decades of conflict have led to illegal mining and deforestation in protected areas
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Corruption and crime constraint on improving degraded environments
In the Amazon Rainforest, illegal logging continues despite strict regulations
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Habitat restoration
Mangroves in coastal regions are often destroyed for development, leaving areas more vulnerable to storm surges and erosion. In Bermuda efforts to restore seagrass beds have been undertaken to improve habitats for marine life
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Sustainable agriculture and forestry
Costa Rica has successfully used reforestation incentives to reverse deforestation trends
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Pollution control
The Ganges River in India faces severe pollution from untreated sewage and industrial discharges. In Kerala, India, strict enforcement of plastic bans has significantly reduced plastic waste
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Creating protected areas
Locally managed areas like those in Fiji allow communities to enforce sustainable fishing practices
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Community education and participiation
The Plastic Free July initiatic encourages communities worldwide to reduce their reliance on plastic products
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Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Low lying islands like the Maldives are especially vulnerable. Mangrove planting along coastlines is another effective adaptation strategy. Bangladesh has invested in cyclone shelters and raised embankments reducing deaths from storm surfaces
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The role of technology and innovation
The use of drones in Kenya to monitor wildlife populations and prevent poaching in national parks
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Collaboration in Belize
The government partnered with international NGOs to protect the Belize Barrier Reef System a UNESCO world heritage site from oil exploration and overfishing
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