Q1. Factors that have influenced the increasing consumption of resources

• Change over timeChange in energy type and consumption pattern as society evolves

• from a primitive, hunter-gatherer societies, highly concerned with survival and existence to agricultural societies to post (highly) industrialized societies witnessed the increase in energy consumption at a decreasing rate of 688%, 385% and 214% for the three stages, respectively.

• humans use more resources • as well as a greater diversification of resources to meet their

needs, both domestic and industrial needs e.g. firewood for cooking and heating and crude oil and

electricity for manufacturing and transportation

Underlying factors that have influenced the increasing consumption of

resources…• population growth - to feed the growing population of 6b, more resources

have to be consumed to increase food production in order to ensure food security

• increasing affluence (wealth) – increased affordability for recreation, travels and

indulgence in extravagant lifestyles• modernization - modern living, characterised by comfort and convenience,

witnesses a higher usage of electrical appliances eg televisions, air-conditioners, jacuzzi etc

Underlying factors that have influenced the increasing consumption of

resources…

• technological advances - in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, service,

including transport and communication, use more crude oil and electricity in farm mechanization, production automation and the enhancement of mobility, area accessibility and connectivity

• affordability and accessibility – high affordability and easy access to resources lead to higher

rates of resource exploitation, consumption and wastage e.g. the consumption of water and sea food

Q2. Energy resources have changed the way people live and vice versa

Negative change• Accelerates depletion of resources - modern, quality living,

characterised by comfort and convenience, requires a higher usage of energy e.g. electrical appliances such as televisions, air-conditioners, etc

• Over-dependent on technology - high-tech living that is over-reliance on technology e.g. computers, mobile phones etc

• extravagant, less green lifestyle that generates resource wastage e.g. non-biodegradable takeaway containers, change of mobile phones, splurge on clothings

• this type of living will result in higher exploitation of oil and electricity production environmental degradation including global warming

Q2. Energy resources have changed the way people live and vice versa

Positive change• Encourages alternate energy - diminishing supplies of

energy resources propels the need to conserve and seek for alternative energy resources (e.g. even S’pore is considering exploring the option of nuclear energy)

• lifestyles might become more’green’ or eco-friendly e.g. use eco-friendly products (e.g. biodegradable takeaway containers, ride green (green cabs from SMRT), and minimise waste(e.g. ‘bring your own bag day’)

Q3. Inference about the change in the daily energy consumption per person over time

• the increase in demand as seen from the exponential increase in the pattern of daily energy consumption per person over the last two time periods

• (citing and evaluating evidence)- 213% increase from early industrialized stage to industrialized stage

Q3. Inference about the change in the daily energy consumption per person over time

• the rate of consumption per person will continue to increase at an increasing rate as the emerging economies of India and China, together with increasing affluence, especially China, will witness a surge in demand for energy resources to support their growing economies and urbanization process.

Q4. Impacts of increasing global energy consumption

Negative Impacts• Hastens depletion of energy resources especially fossil

fuels• increase in price of crude oil, US$87.00 per barrel, will

adversely affect consumption pattern, agricultural and industrial production

• More environmental degradation -Need to build more power plants – increase in deforestation and relocation of settlements e.g. in the construction of Three Gorges Dam

Q4. Impacts of increasing global energy consumption

Negative Impacts• Other environmental degradation – e.g. formation of derelict

land, formation of acid rain, pollution and global warming; energy waste or leakage from nuclear power plants may cause deaths or illness/ oil spills may affect the marine ecosystems.

• political conflicts and tension created between countries on energy supplies

• hinder the development of developing economies as more capital has to be diverted to purchase the resource

• A even greater disparity between rich and poor economies

Q4. Impacts of increasing global energy consumption

Positive Impacts• Job creation -increase energy production to

meet increasing demands creates jobs – build, run and maintain them

• increase crude oil prices and electricity charges may result in a positive change in consumption habits e.g. more ‘green; habits

• seek for alternative energy resources

Q4. Impacts of increasing global energy consumption

Positive Impacts• governments are forced to relook at energy

issues and practice sound resource management • Greater commitment to the practice of 3Rs -

reduce, re-use and recycle• Spurs research into production technology to

maximize the use of the energy resource and minimize wastage

Q4. Can the consumption of resources be minimized ?

• NO• The developed countries will continue their pursuit of material

comfort and not likely to compromise in their energy consumption

• emerging economies, in particular China – ‘aggressively’ aquiring energy resources to meet their astronomical demand for industrial needs

• increasing globalization and trade – higher production and movement of goods and people means greater consumption of energy resources

Q4. Can the consumption of resources be minimized ?

YES• Through conservation of energy resources (3Rs)• change in consumer habits in the light of more

environmentally-friendly campaigns• more people embrace and practise conservation• As countries seek for better management of resources – no

over-exploitation, resource wastage minimization, efficient use of resources

• technological advancement in production technology e.g. energy-saving light bulbs

Briefly explain why nuclear energy contributes a small percentage to the global energy consumption ?

• the choice site of a nuclear reactor - siting is

environmentally and politically challenging/ sensitive• the safety issue –public’s fear of a nuclear leakage

and concerns over the disposal or storage (5 years) of radio- active waste (i.e. the spent fuel disposal) will have environmental damage and adverse health effects on the residential population e.g.

• the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine, former Soviet Union, caused 56 deaths and about 800, 000 suffered from radiation exposure

Briefly explain why nuclear energy contributes a small percentage to the global energy consumption ?

• the technology is not appropriate to the economies of developing countries; they lack the technical knowledge and skills.

• In addition, the high initial capital outlay makes it inaccessible to developing economies e.g. a 1650 MW capacity nuclear reactor costs US$ 10 b.

• the rule in power grid management – no single electricity generator should make up more than 10% of capacity but most of the power plants available generate more than 600 MW, far exceeding the peak demands of most countries of no more than 6000 MW.