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Energy: demand, impacts and sustainable management
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World energy use has soared in the last 100 years. How can we meet demand without wrecking the planet?
Rising demand
Global energy demand has risen hugely over the past 100 years because of population growth, rising wealth (more cars, appliances and air travel) and technological change.
Fossil fuels have met most of this demand, causing air pollution and climate change. Renewables are growing fast but have their own impacts: HEP dams flood valleys and displace people, and wind farms change landscapes.
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) pumps water, sand and chemicals into shale rock to release gas. It could increase supply but has caused small earthquakes and fears about water pollution; fracking in England was paused in 2019.
Fossil fuels have met most of this demand, causing air pollution and climate change. Renewables are growing fast but have their own impacts: HEP dams flood valleys and displace people, and wind farms change landscapes.
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) pumps water, sand and chemicals into shale rock to release gas. It could increase supply but has caused small earthquakes and fears about water pollution; fracking in England was paused in 2019.
Different attitudes
Individuals may want cheap energy, or may oppose a wind farm or fracking site near their home.
Organisations: energy companies want profit; environmental groups want fossil fuels phased out.
Governments must balance energy security, cost and climate targets.
Organisations: energy companies want profit; environmental groups want fossil fuels phased out.
Governments must balance energy security, cost and climate targets.
Managing energy sustainably
Developed country: the UK. The Climate Change Act (2008) set legally binding targets, now net zero by 2050. The UK has some of the world's largest offshore wind farms, has phased out coal power, and promotes insulation and electric vehicles.
Emerging country: China. China uses more energy and emits more carbon dioxide than any other country and still burns a lot of coal, but it also has more wind and solar capacity than any other country and built the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydro-electric power station.
Emerging country: China. China uses more energy and emits more carbon dioxide than any other country and still burns a lot of coal, but it also has more wind and solar capacity than any other country and built the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydro-electric power station.
Explain why energy demand has increased over the past 100 years.
- The world's population has grown rapidly.
- People have become wealthier and use more cars, appliances and flights.
- New technology and industry use more energy.
Answer: Population growth, rising wealth and technology.
Energy demand has risen with population, wealth and technology. Fossil fuels and renewables both have impacts; fracking is controversial. Attitudes differ between individuals, organisations and governments. The UK targets net zero by 2050; China uses lots of coal but leads the world in wind and solar capacity.
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