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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Energy Patterns and Security
Energy is essential for modern life - it powers our homes, schools, hospitals, factories and transport systems. However, energy resources are not evenly distributed around the world, creating patterns of energy wealth and poverty. This section explores how energy is produced, distributed and consumed globally and the challenges of ensuring everyone has secure access to energy.
Key Definitions:
Energy consumption varies dramatically around the world. High-income countries (HICs) typically use much more energy per person than low-income countries (LICs). The average American uses about 80 times more energy than someone in Bangladesh. These patterns reflect differences in development, lifestyle, climate and industrial activity.
The top energy consumers globally are China, the USA and India. China overtook the USA as the world's largest energy consumer in 2009. However, when looking at energy use per person, countries like Qatar, Iceland and Canada top the list.
Major energy producers include Saudi Arabia (oil), Russia (natural gas), China (coal) and France (nuclear). Renewable energy production is growing fastest in countries like Denmark, Germany and Portugal.
Energy resources are divided into two main categories: non-renewable and renewable. Each has different advantages, disadvantages and impacts on the environment.
Coal, oil and natural gas - formed from ancient plants and animals over millions of years. They currently provide about 80% of the world's energy but produce greenhouse gases when burned.
Produces electricity through nuclear fission. Low carbon emissions but creates radioactive waste and has safety concerns (e.g., Fukushima disaster 2011).
Include solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass. Clean but can be intermittent (dependent on weather) and require significant initial investment.
Multiple factors influence how much energy a country produces and uses:
Energy security is a major concern for most countries. Key challenges include:
Since 2005, Russia and Ukraine have had several disputes over natural gas supplies. Russia has cut off gas to Ukraine multiple times, affecting not just Ukraine but also European countries that receive Russian gas via Ukrainian pipelines. This demonstrates how energy can be used as a political tool and highlights the vulnerability of countries dependent on energy imports from a single source. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine further intensified Europe's energy security concerns, prompting many countries to accelerate their transition to renewable energy and diversify their energy suppliers.
Countries use various approaches to improve their energy security:
Using a mix of energy sources and suppliers to avoid over-reliance on any single source.
Reducing energy waste through better insulation, efficient appliances and smart grids.
Developing local energy resources to reduce dependence on imports.
Germany's "Energiewende" (energy transition) is one of the world's most ambitious energy policies. Launched in 2010, it aims to transition Germany to a low-carbon, nuclear-free energy system by 2050. Key elements include:
The global energy landscape is changing rapidly. Key trends include:
About 770 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. Providing clean, affordable energy to these populations is a key global development goal. Off-grid solar systems are helping some communities leapfrog traditional grid infrastructure.
The Paris Climate Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals have put clean energy at the centre of international development efforts. Countries are increasingly working together on energy research, financing and policy frameworks to address shared challenges.
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