Burning Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuel Combustion

Fossil fuels are the term given to oil, coal and natural gas. All can be used as independent fuel sources or to generate electricity.

When are they combusted?

Oil in the form of petrol is combusted (burned) in cars.
Natural gas can be used to heat our stoves when cooking.
All types of fossil fuel combustion release CO₂ as a by-product.

Balance

The carbon cycle is said to be in equilibrium (balance) between its stores and sinks.
Since Industrialisation (1800's in the UK but later in Emerging and Developing countries) the combustion of fossil fuels has increased.
As a result, the concentration of atmospheric CO₂ has also increased. This has been linked to increases in global temperatures due to enhancing the Greenhouse Effect.

Impact on climate

Globally, higher levels of atmospheric CO₂ increase global temperatures. Locally, the impacts vary.
Eastern and Northern Europe are expected to see warmer winters, whilst Southern Europe is projected to see warmer summers.
Northern Europe is expected to see an increase in precipitation whilst Southern Europe is projected to see less precipitation.
This will decrease water availability and increase the likelihood of drought and forest fires in Southern Europe.

Extreme weather events

With the changes in temperature and precipitation, it is likely that extreme weather events will increase.
- E.g. the likelihood that sea surface temperature will reach 27^oC for 3 consecutive weeks (a prerequisite for Tropical Storms) will increase and the area where this is possible will increase.
Therefore, the areas hit by tropical storms will increase as will their intensity.

Impact on the Arctic

Whilst warming is noted globally, the Arctic is warming at twice the rate. This is known as Arctic amplification.

Effect on permafrost

Warmer temperatures in the Arctic cause more permafrost to thaw, which releases the stored CO₂ and CH₄ (Methane).
This leads to more greenhouse gases, impacting the greenhouse effect, rising global temperatures and causing more permafrost to thaw.
Some studies now show that the carbon may remain in new vegetation that is able to grow now the permafrost has thawed. This new plant growth may allow carbon to be stored via photosynthesis.

Snow and ice changes

Sea ice melts and snow cover is reduced with increasing temperatures.
This reduces the albedo effect, allowing more solar radiation to be absorbed by the earth and resulting in an even greater increase in temperature.
The change in habitat is devastating for the ecosystem dependent on it.
- E.g. The native Arctic Fox now must compete for food and territory with the red fox (from Alaska), which has migrated North into now habitable land.

Impact on the Hydrological Cycle

Precipitation rates and the effects of glacial melt are expected to change with global warming. This will result in changes to river discharges and flooding.

Precipitation

If precipitation falls as rain and not snow in winter, winter floods can be expected.
Summer droughts and forest fires will be increasingly common.

Glacial meltwater

As glaciers retreat (melt more than they form each year) there will be an increase in river discharge and sediment yields until glaciers have completely gone.
Currently, European countries receive water during the summer months from Alpine glacial meltwater.
Studies show limited ice in the Western Alps and none in the Eastern Alps by 2100.
This will have knock-on impacts on river discharge.

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

1.1.1Tectonic Plates

1.1.2Distribution of Tectonic Hazards

1.1.3Theoretical Frameworks

1.1.4Earthquakes

1.1.5Earthquake Hazards

1.1.6Volcanoes

1.1.7Tsunamis

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Tectonic Processes

1.1.9Exam-Style Question - Earthquakes

1.2Natural Disasters

1.2.1Introduction to Natural Disasters

1.2.2Impacts of Hazards

1.2.3Comparing Hazards

1.2.4Development & Governance

1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies

1.3.1Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami

1.3.2Gorkha Earthquake

1.3.3Mount Merapi Eruption

1.4Trends & Patterns

1.4.1Disaster Trends

1.4.2Prediction

1.5Disaster Modification

1.5.1Hazard Management

1.5.2Modifications

1.5.3End of Topic Test - Natural Disasters

1.5.4Exam-Style Question - Disaster Modification

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time

2.1.1Timeline of Glacial Change

2.1.2Natural Causes

2.1.3Ice Distributions

2.2Periglacial Landscapes

2.2.1Periglacial Processes

2.2.2Periglacial Landforms

2.3Glacial Processes

2.3.1Mass Balance

2.3.2Glacial Movement

2.4Glacial Landforms

2.4.1Landscapes

2.4.2Erosional Landforms

2.4.3Erosional Landforms 2

2.4.4Erosional Landforms 3

2.4.5Depositional Landforms

2.4.6Fluvioglaciation

2.5The Future of Glaciated Landscapes

2.5.1The Value of Glaciated Landscapes

2.5.2The Value of Glaciated Landscapes 2

2.5.3Threats to Glaciated Landscapes

2.5.4Managing the Threats to Glaciated Landscapes

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

3.1Coastal Landscapes

3.1.1The Wider Coastal Landscape

3.1.2Geological Structure

3.1.3Lithology & Vegetation

3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition

3.2.1Shaping Coastlines

3.2.2Coastal Formations

3.2.3Sediment Transportation

3.2.4Subaerial Processes

3.3Coastal Risks

3.3.1Sea Level Change

3.3.2Coastal Retreat

3.3.3Coastal Flooding

3.4Managing Coastlines

3.4.1Consequences of Coastal Recession

3.4.2Engineering Management Approaches

3.4.3Governance Approaches

4Globalisation

4.1Globalisation

4.1.1Intro to Globalisation

4.1.2Development of Globalisation

4.1.3Economic Policy & Globalisation

4.1.4Government Policy & Globalisation

4.1.5International Organisations & Globalisation

4.1.6Measuring Globalisation

4.1.7TNCs & Globalisation

4.1.8TNCs - Aramco & Anglo-Iranian Oil

4.2Negatives of Globalisation

4.2.1'Switched Off' Places

4.3Global Shift

4.3.1Global Shift for Developing Nations

4.3.2Global Shift for Developing Nations 2

4.3.3Global Shift for Developed Nations

4.3.4End of Topic Test - Globalisation

4.4Migration

4.4.1Megacities

4.4.2International Migration

4.4.3Country Interdependence

4.5Culture

4.5.1Global Culture

4.5.2Cultural Erosion

4.6Measuring Development

4.6.1Measuring Development

4.7Responses to Globalisation

4.7.1Tensions Caused by Globalisation

4.7.2Government Control of Globalisation

4.7.3Ethical Responses to Globalisation

4.7.4End of Topic Test - Migration, Culture, & Response

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

6.1Population Structure

6.1.1The UK

6.1.2Population Characteristics

6.1.3Government & Change

6.2Past & Present Connections

6.2.1International Influence on Places

6.2.2Historic Influences on Places

6.2.3The Perception of Places

6.2.4Image & Identity

6.3Urban & Rural Spaces

6.3.1Perceptions of Urban Places

6.3.2Perceptions of Rural Places

6.3.3Evaluating Living Space

6.4Diversity

6.4.1UK Migrations

6.4.2Challenges

6.4.3Tensions & Conflict

6.4.4Wider Outcomes of Tensions

6.4.5Managing Tensions

6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies

6.5.1Stakeholders

6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets

6.6.1Background

6.6.2Characteristics

6.6.3Issues

6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple

6.7.1Background

6.7.2Characteristics

6.7.3Issues

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local

7.1.1Global Hydrological Cycle

7.1.2Drainage Basin Hydrological Cycle

7.1.3Water Budgets

7.1.4River Regimes

7.1.5Storm Hydrographs

7.2Influences on the Water Cycle

7.2.1Causes of Drought

7.2.2Impacts of Drought

7.2.3Causes of Flooding

7.2.4Impacts of Flooding

7.2.5Climate Change & The Water Cycle

7.2.6Impacts of Climate Change

7.2.7End of Topic Test - The Water Cycle

7.3Water Insecurity

7.3.1Water Stress

7.3.2Causes of Water Insecurity

7.3.3Water Insecurity Risk

7.3.4Conflict Over Water

7.4Water Supply Management

7.4.1Hard Engineering Schemes

7.4.2Sustainable Management

7.4.3Water Treaties & Framework

7.4.4End of Topic Test - Water Insecurity & Management

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

8.1The Carbon Cycle

8.1.1Carbon Stores

8.1.2Carbon Stores 2

8.1.3Biological Carbon

8.1.4Atmospheric Carbon

8.1.5Burning Fossil Fuels

8.2Energy Consumption

8.2.1Consumption

8.2.2Access to Energy

8.2.3Energy Players

8.2.4Supply & Demand

8.2.5Pathways

8.2.6End of Topic Test - Carbon & Consumption

8.3Alternative Energy

8.3.1Unconventional Fuels

8.3.2Non-Fossil Fuels

8.3.3Non-Fossil Fuels 2

8.4Growing Demand for Resources

8.4.1Deforestation

8.4.2Water

8.4.3Climate Change

8.5The Future

8.5.1Future Uncertainty

8.5.2Adaptation Strategies

8.5.3Mitigation Strategies

9Superpowers (A2 only)

9.1Superpowers

9.1.1Introduction to Superpowers

9.1.2Superpowers - Economic Power & Size

9.1.3Superpowers - Political & Military Power

9.1.4Superpowers - Culture, Demography & Resources

9.1.5Geo-Strategic Location

9.2Hard & Soft Power

9.2.1Hard & Soft Power

9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry

9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power

9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil

9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia

9.2.6Emerging Powers - India

9.2.7Theories of Development

9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road

9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms

9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC

9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances

9.3.1Superpowers & IGOs

9.3.2Superpowers & TNCs

9.3.3Superpowers & Global Action

9.3.4Superpowers & Alliances

9.3.5Superpowers & the Environment

9.4Changing Global Influence

9.4.1Recent Tensions between Powers

9.4.2China in Africa & Asia

9.4.3Tensions in the Middle East

9.4.4Economic Problems for Superpowers

9.4.5Future Pattern of Power

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

11.1Globalisation & Migration

11.1.1Intro to Migration

11.1.2Trends in Migration

11.1.3Common Migration Patterns

11.1.4Causes of Migration

11.1.5Restrictions on Migration

11.2Consequences of Migration

11.2.1Intro to Culture

11.2.2Social & Demographic Tensions of Migration

11.2.3Political & Economic Tensions of Migration

11.3Nation States

11.3.1Intro to Nation States

11.3.2Borders

11.3.3Nationalism

11.4Responses to Global Migration

11.4.1Responses to Global Migration

11.4.2Global Organisations

11.4.3IGOs and World Trade

11.4.4Financial IGOs

11.4.5Environmental IGOs

11.5Sovereignty & Identity

11.5.1Sovereignty & Nationalism

11.5.2Complex Identities

11.5.3Challenges to National Identities

11.5.4Tensions within Nations

11.5.5Failed States

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