Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mr. March, and I'm here today to teach you all about energy consumption and supply.

So grab everything that you need for today's lesson and let's get going.

So by the end of today's lesson, you will be able to explain reasons for increasing energy consumption and factors that affect energy supply.

There are three keywords for today's lesson.

Those are economic development, access, and finally, reserve.

Economic development refers to the growth of a country's wealth leading to better jobs, higher income, and improved living standards.

Access refers to the ability to use a resoure in a way that benefits people.

And finally, reserve refers to the amount of a fossil fuel that has been discovered and can be extracted and sold.

There are two learning cycles for today's lesson.

We're gonna start with learning cycle one which is all about, why is energy consumption increasing? So let's start the lesson by looking at a map.

Now the map in front of you is showing energy consumption or use per person in 2023.

And you can see it's used a sliding scale of colour to denote the amount of energy used per person.

The darker the colour, the more energy that's used.

The lighter the colour, the less energy that's used per person.

So my question to you is, why do you think some countries use more energy per person than others? Now you may like to pause the video here whilst you really consider your own answer to that question or, better still, have a discussion with someone near you.

Now some students have also been considering their answer to that question that you just answered a moment ago.

The question, of course, being, why do you think it is that some countries use more energy per person than others? Now, Jun has a really interesting idea.

Jun says, "Is it because some countries have more people than others, so they use more energy?" Well, not in this case, we are looking at energy use per person, not as a country as a whole.

Meanwhile, Laura says, "Is it because people in colder countries need to use more energy to stay warm in winter?" Now on the right-hand side of the screen, you can see those different climactic areas, those different climactic zones.

And of course we're looking towards the very north and very south of the map to really try to identify those cold areas.

Meanwhile, the areas closer to the equator and the centre of the map are surely much, much warmer.

Let's see how perhaps their climactic conditions affect their energy consumption.

So here, when we zoom in on energy use per person, we see very high figures for some really hot countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, as well as Kuwait.

So that can't be the answer either to that question.

So a quick learning check.

It says, true or false, hot countries use less energy because it's warm all year, so they don't need to heat their houses.

So what you need to do right now then is pause the video whilst you consider, and then select your answer.

And the correct answer is false.

Now once again, I'd like you to pause the video whilst you consider as to why that statement then is false.

And the reason it's false is that, while people in hot countries may need to use less energy on heating, some hot countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, have high energy use per person.

So a hot climate does not actually explain why it is that countries have lower or higher energy use per person.

Economic development, though, is actually a really good match to energy consumption, as the two maps below really do a great job in actually illustrating.

On the left-hand side, we've got the HDI, Human Development Index, taken from 2022.

On the right-hand side, we can see a map showing the energy use per person from 2023.

Now the Human Development Index is showing us how socially or economically developed a country is.

So the darker the blue colour, the more developed that country actually is.

For example, the United States shown in the top left of that map on the left-hand side.

Cross-reference that then with the energy use per person in 2023, and we will begin to see much more matches than we saw in the previous examples or ideas from those previous students.

So let's now have a look at that Middle Eastern area that we looked at before when we were trying to understand the influence of climate on the energy use per person.

Now that we're looking at Human Development Index, and what we see is much more correlation between Human Development Index and energy use per person.

We can see that the more developed the country is, the more energy that is being used per person.

So why then does energy consumption increase with development? Well, first of all, there is industrial growth.

Factories require a lot of energy, so industrialization greatly increases the amount of energy being used.

Then there's also transportation.

People swap from bicycles to mopeds, to cars, as economic development increases, increasing also the usage of fuel.

Then there's also technology.

As people's income increases, they buy more electrical devices.

For example, fridges, air conditioners, laptops, which all use energy.

And finally, urbanisation.

People moving to cities with economic development.

These go hand in hand.

As economic development increases, so do does the number of people living in towns and cities, and these all use more energy per person than rural areas.

For example, on lighting, heating, cooling, transportation services, et cetera.

So we can really begin to understand how energy consumption and increasing development really do go hand in hand.

So a quick learning check, it says, which two of the following help explain why energy consumption increases with economic development? So what you can see on the screen then in front of you is you've got four different options.

What you need to do is pause the video here whilst you consider, and then select your two answers.

And the two correct answers we were looking for were A, more people can afford to instal air conditioning, and D, more people are able to buy their own car.

So really, really well done if you're able to get A and D as the correct answer.

Energy consumption is also increasing due to the rising global population, and what we can see on the left-hand side then is this graph showing population change through the years, beginning in 1950 and then moving up towards our predicted total population by 2100.

So let's have a look and see how that's likely to change over time.

So the United Nations, or UN, estimate that population will peak at 10.

29 billion in the mid-2080s, and we can see what it's currently at today in 2025 up and around 8 billion.

So we can see that there's still going to be a significant increase between 2025 and 2100.

Until then, a growing population will place growing demands on the natural world to supply it with resources such as energy.

So we're gonna see energy consumption continuing to increase with an increase in population globally.

So let's break down that global population growth by region, and the graph on the screen in front of you does a great job in illustrating that point.

Let's start by looking at Africa's population because Africa's population is still accelerating, it's still growing at a very, very fast rate.

Asia's population has doubled since 1975, but the rate of increase has begun to slow.

Energy supply then must keep pace with the growth in these populations.

Time now for learning check, it says, which continent has the largest population today? So what you need to do then is pause the video here whilst you really study that graph on the left-hand side, and then consider what you think is the correct answer.

And the correct answer was Asia.

Really well done if you're able to get that correct.

And our next question is, which two continents are predicted to see the largest growth in population during the 21st century? Once again, I would like you to pause the video here whilst you consider your answer to this question.

And the correct answers were Asia and Africa.

Really, really well done if you're able to get those two continents correct.

Our next learning check says true or false.

Rising energy consumption is simply down to the world's growing population.

So once again, I'd like you to pause the video here whilst you consider, and then select your answer.

And the correct answer is false.

Now once again, I'd like you to pause the video whilst you consider as to why or how that statement then is false.

And the reason it's false is that, more people using more energy is one reason, but economic development is also another factor that affects consumption.

As people become richer, their consumption of energy increases.

For example, instead of using bicycles for transport, they begin to use things such as mopeds and cars.

So really well done if you're able to get that answer correct.

We're on now to our three practise tasks for our first learning cycle, and the first one says to study the graph in front of you.

Describe the prediction it makes about global population growth.

The second question says to suggest how the trend you have described will affect energy consumption.

The third and final question says to complete the gaps to explain how economic development can explain variations in the global pattern of energy consumption.

So what you need to do right now then is pause the video here whilst you attempt these three practise tasks.

Best of luck.

And now some feedback.

So for the first question, your answer should make some of these points.

The graph predicts that the global population will continue to grow until the 2080s.

It will peak at about 10.

3 billion in the mid-2080s.

For the second question, and your answer may have included the following, with more people using energy, the demand for energy will increase over time.

The amount by which energy demand will increase depends how wealthier growing populations are, as richer nations consume more energy because they use more energy-intensive technology and are industrialised.

The third question then asks you to complete the gaps, and this is the complete paragraph that you see in front of you.

So, HICs have lower per person energy consumption than NEEs and LICs because energy use increases with economic development.

For example, as people's incomes rise, they can afford to buy their own cars rather than using public transport.

This uses more fuel per person than public transport.

Another example is that economic development usually results from industrialization.

Factories require a lot of energy, and so the more factories there are, the higher the energy consumption will be.

So really, really well done if you're able to include anything like that in your own answer.

We're on now to our second and final learning cycle.

This is all about what factors affect energy supply.

So why is it that countries with the highest potential for solar power generate the most solar power? We've got two really interesting maps on the screen in front of you.

On the left-hand side, we've got a map showing photovoltaic power potential, whilst on the right-hand side, you can see solar power generation in 2023.

Now these, this is a really interesting question, and we're gonna return to this question later in the lesson.

Different factors actually affect energy supply, and these may include a variety of different physical, by which I mean natural, technological, and finally, economic factors.

Because for example, to extract coal, you, first of all, need coal deposits.

You need natural factors to be in your favour.

Then you also need technology to access the coal.

So you need to have a degree of technological development, and you also need someone to actually go and buy your coal.

Therefore, there are economic factors at play as well.

Meanwhile, to generate electricity from wind, once again you need those windy conditions.

So once again, there is a physical factor behind this.

There's also the need for technology to actually turn wind into power.

And finally, of course, you need someone to buy your electricity.

So once again, we see a combination of physical factors, technological factors, and finally, economic factors with regards to energy supply.

So time now for a learning check and it says to complete these examples using the same approach that we just applied on the previous slide.

So please then pause the video here whilst you attempt this learning check.

So let's start by looking at to extract oil.

You need oil deposits.

You need that physical factor, first of all, in your favour.

Then you need technology to access the oil.

And then finally, you need someone to buy your oil.

With regards to the ability to generate electricity from the sun, you need sunny conditions, first of all.

Then you need technology to turn solar power into electricity.

And then finally, of course, you need someone to buy your electricity.

So really, really well done if you're able to get those answers correct.

So what sorts of physical factors can affect access to energy resources? We've got a great variety on the screen in front of you.

It may include things such as climates, perhaps when we're referring to solar or wind power.

The geology, perhaps, when we're referring to oil and other fossil fuels.

The water availability may affect the ability to generate hydroelectric power, for example.

Hazard risk, permafrost, soil type, location, and finally, relief and altitude.

And we're gonna try to understand one or two of these more in a bit more detail.

This map plan shows the natural gas reserves by country, and you can see that it's not evenly distributed across the globe.

Some places have more than others, some places don't have any at all.

Not all countries then have natural gas reserves, while others have very, very large reserves.

Natural gas is formed under very specific geological conditions.

So what conditions are actually needed for natural gas to form? Let's have a look at that now.

So when ocean conditions are really good for microorganisms, so many build up on the ocean floor, that when they die, their remains do not decay completely.

Other sediments build up over this layer of organic material, burying it deeper and deeper underground.

Around two kilometres underground, temperatures of 60 degrees Celsius start to turn the organic material into oil.

over 120 degrees Celsius, natural gas is formed.

The gas rises up through gaps in rock formations until it reaches a layer of non-porous rock, which thereby blocks or stops it from rising further.

Time now for a learning check and it says, true or false, particular physical factors are needed for natural gas reserves to form.

So what I'd like you to do then is pause the video here whilst you consider, and then select your answer.

And the correct answer was true.

Now once again, I'd like you to pause the video whilst you try to recall the different factors that are needed for natural gas reserves to form.

So pause the video here whilst you attempt this learning check.

Ocean conditions then need to be so good for microorganisms that their remains build up on the ocean floor so quickly that not all of them can actually decay.

Then, this layer needs to be buried deep enough for temperatures to reach 120 degrees Celsius.

Then the gas needs to be trapped under non-porous rocks.

You can see that there are some very specific physical conditions or circumstances needed for natural gas to actually be formed.

Really, really well done if you're able to get those two answers correct.

This graph in front of you then is showing the size of natural gas reserves in the UK and in the USA.

The UK is shown via the green line and the USA shown in that purple line.

Now gas is non-renewable, so you would expect reserves to decrease as they get used up, just like they are in the UK.

So I've got a really interesting question for you.

So what do you think has happened in the USA If natural gas reserves are non-renewable, how is it that reserves seem to be increasing in the USA? You may like to pause the video here whilst you consider your own answer to that question, or perhaps even better, have a discussion with someone near you.

Well, Lucas, Jacob, and Andeep, but all been considering the same question that you were just considering a moment ago.

Why have natural gas reserves increased in the USA? Now our learning check is, here are some possible reasons from those three different students, and you need to decide which one is best.

So Lucas says, "Is it because more gas has been created?" Jacob says, "Is it because of new extraction technology?" And finally, Andeep says, "Is it because the USA is using less coal and oil?" So what I'd like you to do right now then is pause the video here, read back through those statements, and decide which one you think is the best.

And the correct answer is Jacob.

Really, really well done if you're able to select Jacob as the correct answer.

Now he's correct because, yes, fracking technology has made more natural gas accessible.

Fracking releases gas that is trapped in shale rocks.

Now this gas was always too difficult and expensive to extract in the past, but technological advances, by which I mean fracking technology, has made it possible to extract shale gas profitably.

And since the USA has a lot of shale gas, it has actually opened up new reserves of gas for the country.

Lucas, meanwhile, was incorrect because natural gas takes millions of years to form.

Meanwhile, Andeep was incorrect because, actually, whether USA uses less coal and oil wouldn't actually affect the size of gas reserves directly.

So once again, really, really well done if you're able to select Jacob as the correct answer.

Now do you remember the question at the start of this learning cycle? Why don't countries with the highest potential for solar power generate the most solar power? Let's return to that now and look first at the physical factors that make up high potential for solar power.

We can see from the maps that physical factors are not always the key to understanding which countries generate the most solar power.

True, Australia has high solar power potential, by which I mean high solar installation plus a high number of sunny days, and indeed it generates a high amount of solar power.

But the northern half of Africa has many countries with high potential, but very little solar power generation.

And China has very high solar power generation, but a lower potential than Northern Africa.

Surely, we can infer from this then that other factors must be involved.

Time once again for a learning check.

And it says, why isn't there a stronger correlation between PV power potential and actual solar power generation? And here are some possible reasons from three different students.

Now your job is to decide which one you think is best.

So let's have a read through those different statements.

Izzy says, "Is it because very few people live in the Sahara?" Laura says, "Is it because countries export their solar power?" And then finally, Andeep says, "Is it because solar power needs pricey technology?" So what you need to do then is pause the video here whilst you consider, and then select your answer.

So let's go through these answers one by one.

Let's have a look at Izzy's, first of all.

Well, it is certainly true that fewer people live in the Sahara.

This is true, but Australia also has very large deserts, yet still creates a lot of solar power.

Let's have a look at Laura's answer.

Well, Laura, first of all, said, is it because countries export their solar power? The map shows energy generation, so exports won't actually affect that data.

And then finally, Andeep.

Well, first of all, Andeep is absolutely spot on.

He said, "Is it because solar power needs pricey technology?" And once again, Andeep is absolutely correct.

Technology and its cost affects access to solar energy.

So solar power generation is really influenced by technology in countries which are able to afford that technology as much as it is by the actual PV power potential.

So really, really well done if you're able to select Andeep as the correct answer.

So what affects access to solar energy where PV potential is actually high? Economic factors are really significant in this.

So obstacles to large-scale solar energy development include the following, purchasing and then actually installing thousands of solar panels, building the supporting infrastructure to collect that power and connect it to the national grid.

LICs and some NEEs often only have a limited electricity grid already.

Other sources of power are actually cheaper and easier to access, whether this is things such as coal or oil.

So you can see how perhaps the cost-benefit ratio of trying to develop solar energy, for example, isn't really worth it for some of these LICs or NEEs when they can access much cheaper and much more readily accessible forms of energy such as oil and coal, as I said before.

Now some countries may have energy resources that they can actually already access but decide not to actually extract or use.

Now my question to you is, can you think of any reasons why that might actually happen? Now you may like to pause the video here whilst you consider your own answer to that question, or better still, have a discussion with someone near you.

So what did you come up with? Well, first of all, one reason is to actually reduce carbon emissions.

Some countries may prioritise one form of energy extraction over another in the effort of trying to combat carbon emissions.

A country may decide to increase wind power, for example, instead of opening a new coal mine.

And this would, of course, be a political decision.

Time now for a learning check and it says to match the factor affecting energy supplied to the correct example.

So on the left-hand side, you've got different factors such as physical, technological, economic, and finally, political.

And on the right-hand side then, you've got an example.

What you need to do right now then is pause the video here whilst you try to match the factor with the example.

Best of luck.

And now some feedback.

So the physical factor matches with the fact that natural gas is formed under specific geological conditions.

The technological factor is that the development of a new process for extracting gas trapped in shale rocks.

The economic factor, although the cost of solar panels has reduced significantly, solar farms need hundreds or thousands of panels.

And finally, the political factor, a decision not to use coal reserves because of targets to reduce carbon emissions.

Really, really well done if you're able to correctly match those four different factors with the example.

We're on now to our two final practise tasks for our final learning cycle.

And the first one says to explain why some countries have large natural gas reserves, while others do not.

The second and final question says that the UK no longer burns coal to supply electricity because its coal reserves have run out.

Do you agree that this is the best explanation? Explain why or why not.

And once again, you've got a graph there which you may like to refer to in your answer.

So please then pause the video here whilst you attempt these two practise tasks.

Best of luck.

And now some feedback.

So your answer for the first question may have included these points.

Physical factors are important for natural gas.

A modern-day location would need to have been an ocean in Earth's history at a time when conditions for microorganisms were so good that their remains built up on the ocean floor faster than they decayed.

Then this layer would've had to have been buried deep enough for temperatures to reach 120 degrees Celsius.

Then the gas needs to be trapped under non-porous rock.

If nowhere in a country today had those conditions in the past, then that would explain why that country has no gas reserves.

The second question then, your answer could have included the following.

I do not agree that this is the best explanation because it was only 10 years ago or so that the UK was using coal to supply 40% of its electricity.

I don't think reserves would run out that quickly.

And anyway, the UK could buy coal from somewhere else.

I think it's more likely that the UK has decided to stop using coal for political, environmental reasons, because burning coal increases carbon emissions a lot.

The graph shows that the amount of wind powers increased in a way that suggests it has been used to supply electricity in place of coal.

Really, really well done if you're able to include anything like that in your own answer.

Time now for our learning summary and what do we need to know from today's lesson.

Whereas the two maps in front of you show there is a clear correlation between Human Development Index and energy use per person or per capita.

Energy consumption increases with economic development.

And as global population rises, energy consumption increases, especially if that population is also getting wealthier.

Energy supply is affected by physical, economic, technological, as well as political factors.

So really, really well done during today's lesson.

It was a pleasure teaching you, and I will see you again on the next lesson.

Goodbye.