Energy, Development, and Global Warming

Non-renewable Energy

Advantages:

• Cheap
• Easy to store and transport

Disadvantages:

• Greenhouse gases (CO2)
• Will run out
• Pollution and environmental damage

Coal:

Major producer: China. Heat and oxygen react with carbon in coal to produce CO2 and heat.

Oil:

Major producers: Asia, USA, and Europe. Liquid derived from petroleum, used as fuel or lubricant.

Natural Gas:

Major producers: America, Russia, Europe, and China. Less harmful than coal and oil.

Nuclear Energy:

Major producers: Ukraine and Japan. Uses uranium; water turns into steam to produce electricity. Relatively clean (water vapor), reliable.

Renewable Energy

Advantages:

• Sustainable
• Clean
• Reduces CO2 emissions
• Does not pollute the air

Disadvantages:

• Expensive
• Can be noisy (wind)
• Difficult to store
• Dependent on weather conditions
• Can obstruct shipping lanes (tidal)

Solar:

Using the power of the sun to heat water or generate electricity.

Wind:

Using the power of the wind to drive a turbine to generate electricity.

Tidal:

Using the incoming and outgoing motion of the tide to generate electricity.

Wave:

Using the motion of waves to generate electricity.

HEP (Hydroelectric Power):

Using the power of falling water in rivers to drive generators. Currently, dams are required to create HEP power.

Biomass:

The use of biological matter to create energy. It is a renewable form of energy, but because the matter is often burned, it still releases greenhouse gases.

Geothermal:

Geothermal energy uses thermal energy from the earth to heat water. The water can be used as a source of hot water, or the steam released can be used to drive turbines.

Global Warming

Effects include: sea level rise, warmer weather, increased CO2 levels, reduced heating and clothing costs, ecosystem loss, and greater threats to human health.

COP21

Focuses on carbon emissions (carbon tax), increasing global temperatures, and reviewing progress every five years.

Measuring Development

Economic:

• GDP
• Inequality of wealth
• Inflation
• Unemployment rate

Social:

• HDI
• Birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate
• Literacy rate
• Life expectancy
• Family size
• Number of people per doctor
• HIV/AIDS rate
• Poverty
• Gender equality

Reasons for Disparities

Historical Development:

Borders of some colonial countries were set without attention to tribal and cultural differences, causing tensions and instability.

Political Factors:

Poor governance hinders development. Money that could be spent on development may be used to fund military weapons or an affluent lifestyle of an elite group of people. (Political instability and poor economic management)

Economic Factors:

World trade is often unfair. LEDCs tend to sell primary produce and have to compete with each other to win trade, which lowers the prices farmers receive. A poor harvest means less income. There is more money to be made in processing goods, which MEDCs tend to do. Many LEDCs are in debt to MEDCs, and some of their income has to pay off these debts.

Social Factors:

• Lack of clean water leads to illness
• Slavery
• Poor infrastructure
• Lack of investment (e.g., hospitals)
• Diseases
• Large populations
• Poor education and health facilities