Geography

Energy security
Energy security
• The association between national security and the availability of
natural resources for energy consumption.
• In 2006, Chris Ruppel made an analysis and determined between
1985 and 2003 there was energy security.
• Since 2004 there has been an energy insecurity.
• Ruppel claims that the energy crisis of 1973 and the Iraq war of 1990
– 1991 was the cause of low oil prices hence there was energy
security.
Climate change on energy
• While there are few direct impacts, rising temperatures will result in
increased evapotranspiration rates which could increase the amount
of water lost in cooling (mainly applicable to coal and nuclear power
plants)
• Renewable energy doesn’t require as much water, so it is important to
consider the type of energy that is being used and how climate
change can affect it.
Causes of energy insecurity
• Increased energy demand
• Decreased energy reserves
• Geopolitical developments- Countries with oil resources have been
able to flex their economic muscles in response to the decreasing
resources around the world
• Misuse of energy resources
• Terrorist activity
• Conflicts between Russia and Ukraine
Countries that rely on others for oil
• Countries such as USA which consume a lot of oil but don’t produce
much heavily rely on importing oil from overseas, and this means they
need to stay on good terms with the countries in which they receive
oil from.
• Help ensure political stability in the middle east
• Maintain good political links with the middle east
• Involve the middle east in economic cooperation.
Non renewable energy
• This is energy that can only be used once. These include coal, gas, and
oil.
• The problem with non-renewable energy is that as demand for the
energy increases then more energy needs to be produced so that
there is a sufficient amount.
• Non-renewable energy can be harmful to the environment especially
a resource such as coal since it has to be burned which is air pollution.
Renewable energy
• Renewable energy is energy that can be used more than once. This
includes solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy.
• The advantage of renewable energy is that it is less harmful to the
environment and it is also sustainable.
• Some energy sources such as solar energy is free to everyone and is
finite, meaning it does not finish and is always there except evenings
when it is dark. It is also reliable and efficient.