Flashcards
Geography A Level Environmental Management
Cards in this deck (42)
- 1Renewable energy - SolarSolar panels work by absorbing sunlight with photovoltaic cells, generating direct current (DC) energy and then converting it to usable alternating current (AC) energy with the help of inverter technology.
- 2Renewable energy - Solar: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages = Potentially infinite can supply single buildings, and maintenance costs are low. Disadvantages = Manufacture and implementation can be costly, only generated during the daytime, energy is expensive to store, and farms take up large areas.
- 3Renewable energy - WindWind turbines use the wind to make electricity. The wind turns the propeller-like blades of a turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator, which creates electricity.
- 4Renewable energy - Wind: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages = Potentially infinite energy supply, versatile in terms of size and number of turbines, can supply energy to rural areas that are not connected to the electricity grid. Disadvantages =
manufacture and implementation of wind farms can be costly, some local people object to on-shore wind farms, arguing that it spoils the countryside, some argue windfarms are dangerous for birds and other wildlife, wind is an unreliable source of constant energy - 5Renewable energy - TidalIn simple terms, tidal energy works via a turbine works like a wind turbine, with blades rotating 12-to-18 times a minute depending on tide strength. The turbine is connected to a gearbox that turns a generator, creating electricity.
- 6Renewable energy - Tidal: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages = Ideal for an island such as the UK, potential to generate a lot of energy, tidal barrage can double as a bridge, and help prevent flooding, Disadvantages = Construction of barrage is very costly, and only a few estuaries are suitable, as opposed by some environmental groups as having a negative impact on wildlife, may reduce tidal flow and impede the flow of sewage out to sea
- 7Renewable energy - WaveWave power is produced by the up-and-down motion of floating devices placed on the surface of the ocean. In other words, wind produces waves, and then waves produce energy. As the waves travel across the ocean, high-tech devices capture the natural movements of ocean currents and the flow of swells to generate power.
- 8Renewable energy - Wave: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages = Ideal for an island country, more likely to be small local operations, rather than done on a national scale.
Disadvantages = Construction can be costly and may be opposed by local or environmental groups. - 9Renewable energy - GeothermalIn volcanic regions, it is possible to use the natural heat of the Earth.
Cold water is pumped underground and comes out as steam. Steam can be used for heating or to power turbines creating electricity. - 10Renewable energy - Geothermal: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages = Potentially infinite energy supply used successfully in some countries, such as New Zealand and Iceland. Disadvantages = can be expensive to set up and only works in areas of volcanic activity, geothermal and volcanic activity might calm down over time, leaving power stations redundant, and dangerous elements found underground must be disposed of carefully
- 11Renewable energy - Hydroelectric PowerAll streams and rivers flow downhill. Before the water flows down the hill, it has potential energy because of its height. Hydropower systems convert this potential energy into kinetic energy in a turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity.
- 12Renewable energy - Hydroelectric Power: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages = Creates water reserves as well as energy supplies, potentially a good option for countries with high rainfall, pumped storage can supply energy at peak times and then return water to storage using surplus energy when demand is low
Disadvantages = Costly to build can cause the flooding of surrounding communities and landscapes, dams have major ecological impacts on local hydrology, and the build-up of plant and other materials reduces storage over time. - 13Renewable energy - BiomassBiomass energy is generated from decaying plant or animal waste. It can also be an organic material which is burned to provide energy, eg heat, or electricity.
An example of biomass energy is oilseed rape (yellow flowers you see in the UK in summer), which produces oil. After treatment with chemicals, it can be used as a fuel in diesel engines. - 14Renewable energy - Biomass: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages =
A cheap and readily available source of energy provides constant, reliable energy, if the crops are replaced, biomass can be a long-term, sustainable energy source. Disadvantages =
when burned, it gives off atmospheric pollutants, and contributes to the build-up of greenhouse gases, if crops are not replanted, biomass is a non-renewable resource. - 15Renewable energy - WoodWood is burned in a boiler that heats water into steam. The steam then spins a turbine connected to an electric generator.
- 16Renewable energy - Wood: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages = A cheap and readily available source of energy, if the trees are replaced, wood burning can be a long-term, sustainable energy source.
Disadvantages = When burned, it gives off atmospheric pollutants, and contributes to the build-up of greenhouse gases, if trees are not replanted, wood is a non-renewable resource. - 17Recyclable energy - NuclearNuclear energy originates from the splitting of uranium atoms – a process called fission. This generates heat to produce steam, which is used by a turbine generator to generate electricity. Because nuclear power plants do not burn fuel, they do not produce greenhouse gas emissions.
- 18Recyclable energy - Nuclear: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages = A small amount of radioactive material produces a lot of energy, raw materials are relatively cheap and long-lasting, do not give off atmospheric pollutants, and provide constant, reliable energy.
Disadvantages = Nuclear reactors are expensive to run, nuclear waste is highly toxic, and needs to be safely stored for hundreds or thousands of years, leakage of nuclear materials can have a devastating impact on people and the environment, concerns around the security of nuclear reactors eg sabotage, terrorist threat. - 19Non-renewable energy - CoalCoal-fired plants produce electricity by burning coal in a boiler to produce steam. The steam produced, under tremendous pressure, flows into a turbine, which spins a generator to create electricity.
- 20Non-renewable energy - Coal: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages: A ready-made fuel, relatively cheap to mine and convert into energy, provides constant and reliable energy, and coal supplies will last longer than oil or gas.
Disadvantages: When burned coal gives off atmospheric pollutants, burning coal contributes to the build-up of greenhouse gases, there is a limited supply of coal which will eventually run out, and mining can destroy habitats and cause visual pollution. - 21Non-renewable energy - OilFossil fuel power plants burn coal or oil to create heat which is in turn used to generate steam to drive turbines which generate electricity.
- 22Non-renewable energy - Oil: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages: A ready-made fuel,
relatively cheap to extract and to convert into energy, provides constant and reliable energy, easily transported, and technology for burning oil is in place.
Disadvantages: When burned, it gives off atmospheric pollutants, burning oil contributes to a build-up of greenhouse gases, as easily reached reserves are used up, extraction becomes more expensive, oil spills can cause serious environmental damage and only a limited supply. - 23Non-renewable energy - Natural gasGas is a fossil fuel which can be used to generate electricity. By burning gas, we create heat which powers a turbine. The rotation of this turbine spins a generator which creates electricity.
- 24Non-renewable energy - Natural gas: Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages: Gas is a ready-made fuel, it is a relatively cheap form of energy, it's a slightly cleaner fuel than coal and oil, versatile for both domestic and industrial use, and provides constant reliable energy. Disadvantages: When burned, it gives off atmospheric pollutants, contributes to a build-up of greenhouse gases, is highly flammable/potentially explosive,
only limited supply of gas. - 25Factors at the national scale affecting demand for energy.Developed countries need more energy due to the high concentration of industry, high levels of car ownership and high domestic usage of homes.
Less developed countries need less as many houses don't have access to electricity or can't afford it in day-to-day life. - 26Factors at the national scale affecting the supply of energy.Physical factors = Geology (Whether a country has access to fossil fuels or not), Climate (Hydro-electric need rain, solar needs sun, wind needs wind), Environmental conditions (Oil in ice in Alaska) Human factors = Cost (Production, maintenance and running), Changes in technology ( Makes new energy resources available or more efficient), Political (Decisions made by the government)
- 27Trends in the consumption of fossil fuelsFossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past half-century, around eight-fold since 1950, and roughly doubling since 1980. But the types of fuel we rely on has also shifted, from solely coal towards a combination with oil, and then gas. Today, coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world. But oil and gas are still growing quickly.
- 28Trends in the consumption of nuclear powerIt is the second largest source of low-carbon electricity production globally (after hydropower), and provided about 30% of all low-carbon electricity generated in 2019. Almost all reports on future energy supply from major organizations suggest an expanded role for nuclear power is required, alongside growth in other forms of low-carbon power generation, to create a sustainable future energy system.
- 29Trends in the consumption of renewable energyIn 2019, around 11% of global primary energy came from renewable technologies. Mostly being from Hydropower. As of 2020, Iceland is the highest with 80% of its power coming from renewable
- 30Environmental impacts of energy productionAir pollution, climate change, water pollution, thermal pollution, and solid waste disposal. The emission of air pollutants from fossil fuel combustion is the major cause of urban air pollution.
Burning fossil fuels is also the main contributor to the emission of grenhouse gases. Diverse water pollution problems are associated with energy usage. - 31Environmental impacts of energy transportationOne problem is oil spills.
Local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation contribute to global climate change. Air pollution from vehicles with internal combustion engines harm human health and biota in cities and urban areas, and affect building surfaces. Traffic noise has negative impacts on people living close to busy streets, motorways, rail tracks and airports, and growing transport volumes cause congestion, and as result of traffic accidents, fatalities or injuries. - 32Environmental impacts of energy usageLandfills becoming populated with old devices as they are being used more and worn down. Heating and AC results in increased climate change. More demand for non-renewable energy in industry results in increased greenhouse gases.
- 33Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism)Costa Rica has devoted an estimated 26% of its land to national parks, wildlife reserves and protected lands.
- 34Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism)The benefits to the economy of
the country are huge. In 2002,
there were 1.1 million visitors,
contributing US$1.1 billion to the
economy and employing 140,000
people. Tourism now contributes
17% of the country’s GNP, and is
growing at a rate of 5% per year. - 35Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism)In Costa Rica there are still
reasonably priced options available.
On the Caribbean coast, for example,
the Selva Bananito lodge is located
on an 850 ha farm dedicated to
providing holiday accommodation
and associated activities. Built
from wood discarded by loggers,
the number of guests is limited.
There is no electricity, solar energy
being used to heat the water.
Bio-degradable soaps are used
for washing, glass and plastic is
recycled, and drinking and cooking
water is purified using bacteria,
enzymes and water lilies. The
owners, the Stein family, have set up
a charitable trust to educate people
about the rainforest and provide
activities such as jungle hikes and
birdwatching. - 36Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism)Activities they offer include:
• flying through the canopy of the
rainforest on zip wires (Figure
4). The largest of these is located
near Vulcan Arenal and involves
being hurled at speeds of up to
40mph along 700 metre-long
cables, 65 metres above the forest
floor - 37Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism)• other canopy adventures where
participants travel through the
trees using ropes, harnesses and
treetop platforms
• horse riding, ranging from gentle
meanders taking in mud baths
near active volcanoes to highspeed gallops across the plains of
Guanacaste
• Central America’s longest water
slide (measuring 450 metres) near
to Rincon de la Vieja National
Park
• rafting or kayaking down some
of the world’s best white-water
rivers with grades of rapids from
easy to the extremely tough grade
six (Figure 5). Some trips may
involve overnight stays in ecolodges that are only accessible
from the water
• mountain biking, either crosscountry or downhill, from
the central highlands to the
oceanic plains – Costa Rica also
plays host to two of the world’s
toughest endurance races each
year
• popular hiking trips through the
rainforests and up the mountains
on single- or multi-day
excursions – a four-day ascent of
Chirripo, the country’s highest
the peak at 3820 metres, for instance,
books up several months in
advance. - 38Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism Problems)Unrestricted development of
sensitive areas, especially along the
The Pacific coastline is a major cause for
concern. Although the government
has introduced strict rules to regulate
the environmental impact, these are
often ignored when the lure of cash,
especially from foreign companies,
is strong. Many farmers have sold
land privately to developers for huge
sums of money and there is anecdotal
evidence that some have blown their
money within a couple of years and
returned home to join the landless
the peasantry in search of employment. - 39Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism Problems)The growth of tourism inevitably
brings pressure on the environment
in direct conflict with the principles
of eco-tourism. Increasing amounts of
litter and hotel waste are a nationally
recognised problem. A recent edition
of the La Nacion newspaper carried
a report on rubbish piling up in the
streets of the popular Pacific resort
of Samara. Waste disposal as landfill
takes up precious land and, if burnt
in incinerators, adds to air pollution - 40Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism Problems)People feeding
animals in the park have led to
ecosystem decline, with monkeys
preferring to find food in waste bins
rather than in the forest. - 41Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism Problems)It is very easy for tourist
companies to pass themselves off as
environmentally friendly, through a
process known as ‘greenwashing’. If
a hotel uses biodegradable soaps and
adopts solar heating it may attain
an eco-tourism label, despite having
other practices that cause harm to the
environment. Little regulation and
enforcement in the tourism sector
means many businesses get away with
promoting themselves falsely as eco-friendly. - 42Case study - Costa Rica (Ecotourism Problems)Together with the environmental
problems associated with ecotourism, there are economic concerns
as well. Although around 75 per
cent of tour agencies and the vast
majority of small hotels are owned by
Costa Ricans, a sizeable proportion
of the biggest (and possibly most
environmentally damaging) projects
are owned by foreigners, and the
profits they make are taken out of
the country. The local population
working in the tourism trade may
also, be exploited in low-paid work,
especially in areas where there is little
alternative employment.
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- Geography Flashcards on Geography A Level Environmental Management, created by Chris R on 06/12/2022.
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