Issue evaluation -Section A (P3)

Question 1

Why is world energy consumption increasing?

Answer 1

Countries are developing leading to increased demand in industry, homes etc.

Question 2

Which group of countries are seeing the fastest increase in the demand for energy?

Answer 2

Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs)

Question 3

Why has demand for energy in the UK declined in recent years?

Answer 3

• Decline of heavy industry
• More energy being conserved e.g. energy efficient products(LED’s)

Question 4

What is meant by the term ‘energy mix’?

Answer 4

The amount and type of different energy sources used by a country

Question 5

How has the UK’s energy mix changed?

Answer 5

• In the past - more reliance on coal
• Now - less coal used. Gas and renewables form a large proportion of energy mix.

Question 6

What is ‘energy security’?

Answer 6

When a country generates a consistent and reliable supply of energy at an affordable price without relying on imports

Question 7

Coal use has declined over time but why will fossil fuels remain important to the UK?

Answer 7

• Still plenty of coal reserves left
• It is cheap to import
• Shale gas will be exploited in future

Question 8

What is ‘fracking’?

Answer 8

The process of extracting shale gas from under the ground

Question 9

Explain how fracking works

Answer 9

High pressure liquids are pumped underground to release gas trapped within sedimentary rock.

Question 10

Why is fracking controversial?

Answer 10

• Drilling can trigger earthquakes
• Can pollute underground water sources
• Expensive process

Question 11

What are the negative environmental impacts caused by the Morecambe bay Tidal barrage?

Answer 11

• large populations of birds and marine life are to be disturbed
• can damage the sea bed, salt marshes, mud flats and habitats
• site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
• birds migrate from all around the world for the mudflats
• area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB)
• largest area of tidal mudflats
• some of the waste material may be hard to recycle

Question 12

What are the negative economic impacts caused by the Morecambe bay Tidal barrage?

Answer 12

• high predicted initial costs of £10 billion
• Tidal energy isn’t that reliable as it doesn’t align with peak energy demand times in the UK
• no other British tidal barrage scheme has been built yet (Mersey bay) - UK lacks the technology and infrastructure
• corrosion damage risk due to the salty sea water
• predicted to take 25 years to build
• possibly lead to commuter settlements and economic decline
• money could be better spent on improving existing roads and rail networks

Question 13

What are the negative social impacts caused by the Morecambe bay Tidal barrage?

Answer 13

• may impact the history of Morecambe bay
• it may reduce tourism by effecting the beaches and natural views
• the area is already heavily overcrowded in the summer
• commuter settlements may set up

Question 14

What are the positive environmental impacts caused by the Morecambe bay Tidal barrage?

Answer 14

• clean renewable energy source that will last 100 years
• Tidal power can be predicted
• each barrage will have fish passes for local marine life
• the environmental effects will be closely monitored
• efforts will be carried out to try and restore bird habitats

Question 15

What are the positive economic impacts caused by the Morecambe bay Tidal barrage?

Answer 15

• will reduce the North-South divide
• will provide UK with energy security
• will provide 2% of UK’s energy supply for 2 million houses
• Renewables have less costly maintenance
• they produce very little pollution once they are built
• they benefit several local businesses
• navigation locks to maintain boat passage
• provides a transport link - reduces M6 congestion (saves 750,000 litres of fuel and £ 200 million a year)
• will lead to multiplier effect
• will provide power + comms cables
• an adaptation strategy to reduce affects of flooding & tidal surges caused by climate change

Question 16

What are the positive social impacts caused by the Morecambe bay Tidal barrage?

Answer 16

• provides 13,000 job opportunities
• reduces travel times by 75%
• less M6 traffic
• potential regeneration for Barrow in Furness (very deprived area after loss of shipping and docking industries - aging population - brain drain)
• the improved energy security will lead to: improved food supply, improved QOL & SOL
• boosts local tourist industry in lake district - regeneration of Lancashire and Cumbria