9: Environmental Management (A-level
Geography CIE) Questions and answers
Primary energy
Energy that doesn't undergo a conversion process; is kept in a natural form.
Secondary energy
Energy sources that have been converted from other energy sources
Non-renewable energy sources
Oil, coal, natural gas (fossil fuels) and nuclear.
Renewable energy sources (sustainable)
Hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, biomass/fuels/waste, geothermal and tidal.
The Energy Mix
The combination of energy types used to power a country's economy.
Coal gasification
Process which converts solid coal into a gas that can be used for power generation.
Conventional gas
Found within a few metres or so below the surface (the more usual supply, which is
cheaper).
The Global Energy Crisis
The concern that the world's demands on the limited natural energy resources are
demonising as the demand rises.
Oil
Formed when heat and pressure compressed the remains of prehistoric plants, animal and
aquatic life, becoming fossil fuel. It is drilled and pumped from giant underground pocks, and
processed through distillation.
% global energy consumption in 2019 of oil
33.1%
, Main producers of oil
U.S. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Canada, China
Peak oil
The moment at which extraction of oil reaches a rate greater than that at any time in the past
and starts to permanently decrease.
Coal
Formed when dead plant matter decays into peat and is converted into coal by the heat and
pressure of deep burial over millions of years.
% global energy consumption in 2019 of coal
27%
Main producers of coal
China, India, U.S., Indonesia
Natural gas
Naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture containing methane, varying amount of other
high alkanes, etc. To extract it fracking or acidizing is used.
Conventional gas
Found within a few thousand metres or so below the surface is the more usual supply.
Unconventional gas
Includes deep gas, tight gas, cabled methane, etc.
% global energy consumption in 2019 of natural gas
24.3%
Main producers of natural gas
U.S., Russia, Iran, Canada
Hydro-Electricity
Water in a dam or reservoir to produce hydroelectric power. It uses water in motion, pipes,
blades, turbines (to spin a generator).
Geography CIE) Questions and answers
Primary energy
Energy that doesn't undergo a conversion process; is kept in a natural form.
Secondary energy
Energy sources that have been converted from other energy sources
Non-renewable energy sources
Oil, coal, natural gas (fossil fuels) and nuclear.
Renewable energy sources (sustainable)
Hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, biomass/fuels/waste, geothermal and tidal.
The Energy Mix
The combination of energy types used to power a country's economy.
Coal gasification
Process which converts solid coal into a gas that can be used for power generation.
Conventional gas
Found within a few metres or so below the surface (the more usual supply, which is
cheaper).
The Global Energy Crisis
The concern that the world's demands on the limited natural energy resources are
demonising as the demand rises.
Oil
Formed when heat and pressure compressed the remains of prehistoric plants, animal and
aquatic life, becoming fossil fuel. It is drilled and pumped from giant underground pocks, and
processed through distillation.
% global energy consumption in 2019 of oil
33.1%
, Main producers of oil
U.S. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Canada, China
Peak oil
The moment at which extraction of oil reaches a rate greater than that at any time in the past
and starts to permanently decrease.
Coal
Formed when dead plant matter decays into peat and is converted into coal by the heat and
pressure of deep burial over millions of years.
% global energy consumption in 2019 of coal
27%
Main producers of coal
China, India, U.S., Indonesia
Natural gas
Naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture containing methane, varying amount of other
high alkanes, etc. To extract it fracking or acidizing is used.
Conventional gas
Found within a few thousand metres or so below the surface is the more usual supply.
Unconventional gas
Includes deep gas, tight gas, cabled methane, etc.
% global energy consumption in 2019 of natural gas
24.3%
Main producers of natural gas
U.S., Russia, Iran, Canada
Hydro-Electricity
Water in a dam or reservoir to produce hydroelectric power. It uses water in motion, pipes,
blades, turbines (to spin a generator).
