Geography Contested Planet:Energy Security, Biodiversity and Development Gap

What is Energy Security? The [blank_start]uninterrupted[blank_end] [blank_start]availability[blank_end] of energy [blank_start]sources[blank_end] at an [blank_start]affordable[blank_end] price. Energy security has many aspects: [blank_start]accessibility[blank_end], [blank_start]price[blank_end], [blank_start]sustainability[blank_end] and [blank_start]environmental[blank_end] impacts

What's wrong with fossil fuels? Fuels such as [blank_start]oil[blank_end], [blank_start]coal[blank_end], and [blank_start]gas[blank_end] will release [blank_start]CO2[blank_end] when burnt, this is a [blank_start]greenhouse[blank_end] gas and so will heat up the atmosphere, causing climate [blank_start]change[blank_end]. They also produce particulates which make buildings dirty and irritate the [blank_start]lungs[blank_end] and [blank_start]eyes[blank_end]. However humans are very reliant on them, and they are a [blank_start]finite[blank_end] resource, which means we need an alternative

Why isn't the UK energy secure? It has become cheeper to [blank_start]import[blank_end] [blank_start]coal[blank_end] than [blank_start]extract[blank_end] it in mines, and [blank_start]oil[blank_end] and [blank_start]gas[blank_end] production from the North Sea began to decline

Does the UK have renewable potential? [blank_start]Yes[blank_end], they are a HIC and so should be able to invest in renewable technologies. As well as this it is ideal placed for [blank_start]wind[blank_end] and [blank_start]wave[blank_end] power, due to its location. In [blank_start]2012[blank_end] [blank_start]9.1%[blank_end] of energy produced was from renewable sources.

Why was there an energy crisis in [blank_start]California[blank_end] in 2000-1? They rely on [blank_start]imports[blank_end] and have [blank_start]high[blank_end] consumption rates which makes the state very energy [blank_start]insecure[blank_end]. The USA energy market is [blank_start]privatised[blank_end] and the provision of energy infrastructure is expensive. That year had been especially [blank_start]warm[blank_end] leading to an increased demand for [blank_start]cooling[blank_end] facilities, and a decrease in the output of [blank_start]hydroelectric[blank_end] lakes in Washington and Oregon.

Why is the Arctic important for energy? The Arctic contains [blank_start]30%[blank_end] of undiscovered [blank_start]natural gas[blank_end] and [blank_start]15%[blank_end] of undiscovered [blank_start]oil[blank_end] global supplies. This means that the [blank_start]8[blank_end] countries with which it borders could theoretically have access to these resources. The UN [blank_start]Law of Sea Convention[blank_end] states that a country can use resources within [blank_start]200[blank_end] nautical miles of their territory, and this has been agreed to be respected until 2020.

What does Russia do with their energy? -> [blank_start]Gazprom[blank_end] are the World's largest energy supply controlling [blank_start]⅓[blank_end] of global gas reserves. They also supply [blank_start]25%[blank_end] of the EUs gas which has meant that 4 states are completely reliant on them -> In [blank_start]2008[blank_end], supplies to the Ukraine were cut around when they were discussing joining [blank_start]NATO[blank_end] ->Eastern Siberian Pacific Ocean Pipeline is being built, exporting gas to [blank_start]Asia[blank_end] and North America. This goes through Amur Leopard territory (only [blank_start]70[blank_end] left in the Wild) and the Straits of Malacca

Are [blank_start]Tar Sands[blank_end] a solution fro Canada's energy? YES Could meet up to [blank_start]15%[blank_end] of North America's energy needs Vital to the Canadian economy, as oil made up [blank_start]20%[blank_end] of exports in 2007 Mining companies are required to replace trees NO Expensive - [blank_start]$15[blank_end] for a barrel, conventional oil is only [blank_start]$2[blank_end] Uses a lot of water - [blank_start]2-5[blank_end] barrels for 1 of oil Still a finite resource that produces fossil fuels Still causes the destruction of habitats

Is Mexico a biodiversity hotspot?

Mexico is threatened by rapid growth, as the [blank_start]11th[blank_end] most populous country, this has led to increased [blank_start]demand[blank_end] for [blank_start]natural resources[blank_end] and [blank_start]urban[blank_end] growth. There have been some management strategies in place, since 2002 [blank_start]large ships[blank_end] have been [blank_start]prohibited[blank_end] from some areas, and through [blank_start]fair-trade[blank_end] schemes farmers recicieve [blank_start]benefits[blank_end] from climate change mitigation work