8.2.2
Access to Energy
Access to Energy: The UK
Access to Energy: The UK
The UK used to rely on their domestic coal (until the 1970s) and were leaders in nuclear technology (between 1950-70). They have now agreed to cut down on CO2 emissions.
Domestic vs foreign
Domestic vs foreign
- North Sea oil reserves have reduced the UK’s dependency on oil from the Middle East. But it is expensive to extract North Sea oil, so when global prices fall it can be more economical to import instead.
- Declines in the domestic reserves will lead to the UK needing to import more.
- Although 150 years’ worth of coal use exists in reserves in the UK, available technology means extracting is currently not a viable option.
Public perception
Public perception
- The UK has the potential for shale gas that can be extracted via fracking, but fracking is unpopular because of the environmental impacts seen in other regions (e.g. Alaska, USA).
- A large proportion of the UK population is not in favour of accessing this resource.
- The privatisation of UK energy supplies means that suppliers include foreign companies, which decide the energy sources (e.g. France’s EDF).
Environmental priorities
Environmental priorities
- In 2015, the UK agreed to reduce their greenhouse emissions by 40% by 2030, based on 1990 levels.
- The UK has broadened its renewable energy sources but abandoned the ‘Green Deal' conservation and insulation scheme in 2015.
- Despite this, 2015 CO 2 emissions were 7.12 tonnes per capita (compared to 11.5 in 1980).
Access to Energy: Norway
Access to Energy: Norway
Norway uses hydro-electric power (HEP) as well as natural oil and gas from the North Sea. Norway is committed to being carbon-neutral by 2050.
Physical access
Physical access
- HEP has been used due to the suitability of the naturally steep valleys and high rainfall.
- 98% of Norway’s renewable electricity comes from HEP sites, which are a relatively low capital investment but can be expensive in terms of transferring electricity to remote regions.
- Oil and natural gas from Norway’s territorial waters are exported using deepwater drilling technology.
- There is also excess of Svalbard Coal, which is exported.
Public perception
Public perception
- Foreign companies are prevented by the Norwegian government from owning sites of primary energy sources (waterfalls or mines).
- Taxes are paid on fossil fuel sales, which the government spends to boost the standard of living.
- Profits from fossil fuel sales go towards a fund for sustainable alternative fuel sources (for when fossil fuels run out).
Costs
Costs
- Norway has a higher energy use per capita (5754kg oil) than the UK (2752kg oil).
- Norway’s energy household costs (£2400) are almost double the UK’s (£1300).
Environmental priorities
Environmental priorities
- In 2015, Norway agreed to reduce their greenhouse emissions by 40% by 2030, based on 1990 levels.
- Norway is the 3rd largest hydrocarbons exporter in the world.
- In 2016, the ‘Policy for Change’ was pushed to make Norway carbon neutral by 2050.
- In 2015, their CO2 emissions were 11.74 tonnes per capita (compared to 11.6 in 1989).
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
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
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
Jump to other topics
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
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
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
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