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Questions and Answers
Energy security is about securing enough energy for the needs of a country, and it is often a concern for governments.
Energy security is about securing enough energy for the needs of a country, and it is often a concern for governments.
True (A)
What are the main aspects of the risk associated with importing energy?
What are the main aspects of the risk associated with importing energy?
- The economics of globalization can make it cheaper to import energy than to produce it internally. (correct)
- Technological developments like finding new/alternative energy sources must be considered. (correct)
- The availability of supply domestically, or the possibility to import it from other countries, are key. (correct)
- Price fluctuation and political changes can be risky for governments. (correct)
Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of using coal as an energy source?
Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of using coal as an energy source?
- It can lead to acid deposition.
- It releases carbon dioxide.
- It is expensive to mine and convert to energy. (correct)
- It is non-renewable.
What is a main concern regarding the use of oil as an energy source?
What is a main concern regarding the use of oil as an energy source?
What is the primary advantage of using natural gas as an energy source?
What is the primary advantage of using natural gas as an energy source?
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using nuclear power as an energy source?
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using nuclear power as an energy source?
Hydroelectric power (HEP) is a renewable energy source, but it can be expensive to build and maintain.
Hydroelectric power (HEP) is a renewable energy source, but it can be expensive to build and maintain.
What is the main advantage of using biomass as an energy source?
What is the main advantage of using biomass as an energy source?
Wood is a renewable energy source as long as trees are sustainably harvested.
Wood is a renewable energy source as long as trees are sustainably harvested.
What are two main disadvantages of using solar energy from photovoltaic cells as an energy source?
What are two main disadvantages of using solar energy from photovoltaic cells as an energy source?
Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants are much cheaper to build and maintain than photovoltaic cells, but they are only feasible in sunny areas.
Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants are much cheaper to build and maintain than photovoltaic cells, but they are only feasible in sunny areas.
Solar passive energy systems rely on capturing and storing heat from the sun, and while they are often inexpensive to install, they require specific design features and are less efficient than other alternatives.
Solar passive energy systems rely on capturing and storing heat from the sun, and while they are often inexpensive to install, they require specific design features and are less efficient than other alternatives.
What is the main advantage of using wind energy as a renewable resource?
What is the main advantage of using wind energy as a renewable resource?
Tidal power is a renewable energy source that can be used almost anywhere in the world and has very little environmental impact.
Tidal power is a renewable energy source that can be used almost anywhere in the world and has very little environmental impact.
Wave energy, a renewable source of energy, is less efficient than tidal energy and only works in areas with large waves, making it more limited in application.
Wave energy, a renewable source of energy, is less efficient than tidal energy and only works in areas with large waves, making it more limited in application.
What is the primary advantage of geothermal energy as an energy source?
What is the primary advantage of geothermal energy as an energy source?
Weather is the average weather pattern over many years, while climate is the daily conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time.
Weather is the average weather pattern over many years, while climate is the daily conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time.
Which of the following is NOT a cause of climate change?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of climate change?
What does Global Warming Potential (GWP) measure?
What does Global Warming Potential (GWP) measure?
Which greenhouse gas is most responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere?
Which greenhouse gas is most responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere?
The debate surrounding climate change focuses solely on the causes, with no discussion about the potential impacts or solutions.
The debate surrounding climate change focuses solely on the causes, with no discussion about the potential impacts or solutions.
Climate change can only occur as a direct result of changes solar radiation, with no other contributing factors.
Climate change can only occur as a direct result of changes solar radiation, with no other contributing factors.
What is a main consequence of rising sea levels due to climate change?
What is a main consequence of rising sea levels due to climate change?
Melting glaciers are a positive consequence of climate change, as they provide freshwater for downstream communities and create new land for development.
Melting glaciers are a positive consequence of climate change, as they provide freshwater for downstream communities and create new land for development.
What are two potential impacts of climate change on weather patterns?
What are two potential impacts of climate change on weather patterns?
How can climate change impact food production?
How can climate change impact food production?
Increased temperatures due to climate change have a positive impact on biodiversity, as it promotes the spread of species into new habitats.
Increased temperatures due to climate change have a positive impact on biodiversity, as it promotes the spread of species into new habitats.
What are two main ways that climate change can impact water supplies?
What are two main ways that climate change can impact water supplies?
Climate change is only a threat to human health through exposure to extreme weather events and impacts on food security.
Climate change is only a threat to human health through exposure to extreme weather events and impacts on food security.
Climate change is unlikely to impact human migration patterns, as people are generally adaptable and can adjust to changing conditions.
Climate change is unlikely to impact human migration patterns, as people are generally adaptable and can adjust to changing conditions.
Which of the following is NOT a mitigation strategy for climate change?
Which of the following is NOT a mitigation strategy for climate change?
Adaptation strategies are designed to prevent climate change by addressing the root causes of the problem, while mitigation strategies focus on managing the impacts of climate change.
Adaptation strategies are designed to prevent climate change by addressing the root causes of the problem, while mitigation strategies focus on managing the impacts of climate change.
Switching from coal to natural gas for electricity generation is considered a mitigation strategy, as it reduces carbon emissions.
Switching from coal to natural gas for electricity generation is considered a mitigation strategy, as it reduces carbon emissions.
The implementation of carbon capture and storage technology, which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it underground, is an adaptation strategy.
The implementation of carbon capture and storage technology, which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it underground, is an adaptation strategy.
Building seawalls and storm surge barriers are considered mitigation strategies, as they prevent rising sea levels and erosion.
Building seawalls and storm surge barriers are considered mitigation strategies, as they prevent rising sea levels and erosion.
Diversifying tourist attractions and promoting sustainable tourism are considered mitigation strategies for climate change.
Diversifying tourist attractions and promoting sustainable tourism are considered mitigation strategies for climate change.
Increased rainwater harvesting and water reuse are examples of mitigation strategies that aim to reduce the impact of climate change on water resources.
Increased rainwater harvesting and water reuse are examples of mitigation strategies that aim to reduce the impact of climate change on water resources.
The use of drought-resistant crops and soil conservation techniques are considered mitigation strategies for climate change, as they address the root causes of climate change.
The use of drought-resistant crops and soil conservation techniques are considered mitigation strategies for climate change, as they address the root causes of climate change.
Relocating populations away from vulnerable coastal areas is an example of a mitigation strategy.
Relocating populations away from vulnerable coastal areas is an example of a mitigation strategy.
Why are mitigation strategies often challenging to implement?
Why are mitigation strategies often challenging to implement?
Flashcards
Energy Security
Energy Security
The ability to consistently secure adequate, dependable, and affordable energy supplies to meet a nation's needs.
Renewable Energy Source
Renewable Energy Source
A resource that can be replenished naturally within a human lifetime, like solar, wind, or hydropower.
Non-renewable Energy Source
Non-renewable Energy Source
A resource that exists in a fixed amount and cannot be replenished on a human timescale, like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Domestic Energy Source
Domestic Energy Source
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Energy Import
Energy Import
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Energy Diversification
Energy Diversification
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Weather
Weather
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Climate
Climate
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Climate Change
Climate Change
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Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
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Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Effect
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Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect
Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect
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Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
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Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
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Climate Mitigation
Climate Mitigation
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Climate Adaptation
Climate Adaptation
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Coal
Coal
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Oil
Oil
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Natural Gas
Natural Gas
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Nuclear Power
Nuclear Power
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Hydroelectric Power (HEP)
Hydroelectric Power (HEP)
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Biomass
Biomass
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Solar Energy (Photovoltaic Cells)
Solar Energy (Photovoltaic Cells)
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Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
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Wind Power
Wind Power
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Tidal Power
Tidal Power
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Wave Power
Wave Power
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Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Energy
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Polar Ice Cap Melting
Polar Ice Cap Melting
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Glacier Retreat
Glacier Retreat
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Extreme Weather Events
Extreme Weather Events
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Study Notes
Energy Choices and Security
- Society uses a variety of renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
- Energy security is the ability to get enough affordable and reliable energy.
- Governments consider national security when choosing energy sources.
- Price fluctuations and political risks influence energy choices.
- Diversifying energy sources reduces risk.
- Energy choices depend on supply availability, technology, and cost.
- Cultural factors affect energy source preferences.
- Sustainability is important, considering the environmental impact of energy production.
Evaluating Energy Sources
- Coal: Formed from fossilized plants, plentiful supply, easy transportation and relatively cheap to mine. However, it is non-renewable, releases greenhouse gasses and sulfur dioxide which contributes to air pollution and acid rain.
- Oil: Formed from fossilized plants and microorganisms, high energy density, relatively cheap to mine. Non-renewable source and releases significant greenhouse gasses and causes water pollution.
- Natural Gas: Contains hydrocarbons, high energy density and cleaner than coal and oil, relatively cheap. A non-renewable resource and releases carbon dioxide when burned.
- Nuclear Power: Nuclear reactors split uranium, high energy output from small amount of fuel, but expensive to build and maintain. Risks include radioactive waste and threat of terrorism involved.
Renewable Energy Sources
- Hydroelectric Power (HEP): Uses the movement of water to generate electricity, high-quality energy with little maintenance, but expensive to build, affects local hydrology and may cause flooding issues.
- Biomass: Uses decaying organic matter to produce energy. Cheap and readily available, renewable, but releases greenhouse gasses when burned.
- Wood: Acquired from trees, a cheap source of energy but non-renewable if trees are not replanted.
- Solar Energy (Photovoltaic Cells): Converts solar energy into electricity, infinite energy supply, safe to use, needs maintenance and works only in sunny regions.
- Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): Focuses sunlight on a point to heat a fluid, then uses it to generate electricity, minimal costs if properly designed, renewable, but specific technology is needed and limited supply to many regions.
- Wind: Wind turbines use wind to generate electricity. Clean energy source with little maintenance, but only works in windy regions and creates visual and noise pollution.
- Tidal: Uses the movement of seawater to generate electricity, can be sustainable, but costly to construct and suitable only in estuaries.
- Wave: Uses the movement of seawater to compress trapped air and generate electricity, renewable, but only suitable in coastal areas.
- Geothermal: Heats water from Earth's core using steam to generate electricity, infinite energy supply, but expensive to set up and suitable only in areas of volcanic activity.
Impacts of Climate Change
- Oceans: Sea levels rise due to thermal expansion of water and melting ice caps.
- Polar Ice Caps: Melting of ice caps increases sea levels and threatens coastal communities.
- Glaciers: Glaciers are melting, threatening freshwater supplies and causing flooding and landslides.
- Weather Patterns: Climate change causes extreme weather events like heat waves, droughts, floods, storms, and rising sea levels.
- Food Production: Changes in temperature affect crop yields and livestock production leading to food scarcity.
- Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Climate change threatens biodiversity and ecosystems as species struggle to adapt to changing conditions.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- Mitigation: Strategies to reduce the causes of climate change (preventative measures).
- Adaptation: Strategies to manage the impacts of climate change (reactive measures).
- Energy Supply: Improve energy efficiency, switch to renewable sources, and reduce fossil fuel subsidies.
- Transportation: Utilize fuel-efficient vehicles, public transportation, and biofuels.
- Buildings: Optimize lighting, use energy-efficient appliances, and improve building insulation.
- Industry: Reduce emissions, use more efficient equipment, and invest in clean technologies.
- Agriculture: Improve land management, promote agroforestry, and restore degraded lands.
- Forestry: Afforestation and reforestation to increase carbon sequestration.
Adaptation Strategies
- Water: Increased rainwater harvesting, water reuse, desalination, and drought-resistant crops.
- Agriculture: Drought-resistant crops, better farming techniques that reduce soil erosion. - Infrastructure: Building seawalls and sea level and storm surge barriers.
- Human Health: Vaccination programs for diseases, improving water sanitation, and public health measures. - Tourism: Diversifying tourist attractions to reduce reliance on climate sensitive areas.
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