Non-Renewble Fossil Fuels | Geography for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Importance of Non-Renewable Fossil Fuels

• The global demand for energy is on the rise.
• Population growth and development are the primary factors contributing to this increased energy demand. For instance:
  • The growing need for food leads to more intensive farming practices, necessitating additional energy for machinery, lighting, and heating.
  • Industries require energy for various operations like heating, lighting, and running machinery.
  • Increased transportation activities demand energy in the form of petrol, diesel, or electricity.
  • Urbanization, a result of development, leads to higher usage of domestic appliances, lighting, and heating.
  • Rising wealth levels prompt people to purchase more appliances and technology that rely on energy consumption.

Impact of Fossil Fuels on Global Energy Supply

• More than 80% of the world's energy is currently sourced from fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and gas.
  • Oil constitutes 33% of the global energy supply.
  • Coal accounts for 27% of the global energy supply.
  • Gas contributes 24% to the global energy supply.
• Fossil fuels originate from the remnants of living organisms like plants and animals.
• These resources are finite and non-renewable as their rate of consumption surpasses their replacement speed.
• Based on present consumption rates and availability, it is projected that gas and oil reserves may be depleted by 2080.

World Energy Mix

• The utilization of nuclear and renewable energy sources is on the rise, although non-renewable fossil fuels still predominantly drive energy production.
• Predictions indicate that the usage of gas and oil will persist in its growth over the next three decades, with fossil fuels projected to account for over 75% of global energy by 2040.

Energy use

• More economically developed countries (MEDCs) generally consume more energy compared to less economically developed countries (LEDCs).
• MEDCs with the highest energy consumption per capita include nations like Canada, Norway, and Saudi Arabia.
• LEDCs, primarily located in Africa such as Niger, Chad, and Tanzania, exhibit the lowest energy consumption per person.
• Significant energy consumption growth is observed in LEDCs and emerging economies like China and India due to developmental activities in industries, households, and transportation sectors.

Energy Use per Person in kwh

Energy Security

• An energy gap arises when a nation cannot fulfill its energy needs using internal resources.
• In such cases, countries resort to importing energy to bridge the shortfall.
• Energy insecurity ensues when a country faces an energy gap.
• Energy security necessitates:
  • Consistent energy supply.
  • Affordable energy.
  • Accessible energy.
• The UK grapples with a widening energy gap, compromising its energy security because:
  • Renewable energy lacks the efficiency to fully replace fossil fuels.
  • Importing fossil fuels proves cheaper than exploiting domestic resources.
• Global efforts to combat climate change and reduce fossil fuel usage exacerbate energy insecurity.
• Factors affecting energy security include:
  • Depletion of energy sources.
  • Conflict or war.
  • Natural disasters.
  • Political disputes.

Energy Mix

• The composition of energy sources in countries varies depending on their level of development.
• The most economically advanced nations demonstrate a broader reliance on renewable energy and nuclear power.

• Newly emerging economies rely more heavily on fossil fuels.
  
• The least economically developed countries primarily rely on biofuels, predominantly fuel wood, for heating and cooking, especially in rural regions.