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Year 11
Edexcel B

Global patterns of energy use and causes of variations

I can describe the global pattern of energy use and explain reasons for the variations in energy use per person.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Global patterns of energy use and causes of variations

I can describe the global pattern of energy use and explain reasons for the variations in energy use per person.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are variations (inequalities) in the global pattern of energy use.
  2. Level of economic development is a cause of variations in the global pattern of energy use.
  3. Demand from different economic sectors cause variations in energy use.
  4. Energy poverty has negative economic, social and environmental implications.

Keywords

  • Variation - differences or changes in something, for example variations in energy use between countries means differences in the amounts and types of energy that different countries use

  • Economic development - the growth of a country’s wealth, leading to better jobs, higher incomes and improved living standards

  • Economic sectors - the different types of jobs and industries in an economy, divided into primary (e.g. farming), secondary (e.g. manufacturing), tertiary (services) and quaternary (e.g. research)

Common misconception

Hot countries use less energy because it is warm all year so they do not need to heat their houses.

While people in hot countries may need to use less energy on heating, energy use depends most on how developed a country is - developed countries use more energy per person because they have more industries, transport and technology.


To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Global patterns of energy use and causes of variations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

An interesting development in recent years is that some developed countries are starting to see reductions in their energy use per person, which includes the UK and Canada. Students could explore reasons (e.g. energy efficiency, vehicle electrification) and consider whether this trend will continue.
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Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a renewable energy source?
Energy that pollutes the air when used
Energy that cannot be replaced once used
Correct answer: Energy that is naturally replenished and won’t run out
Energy made from coal or oil
Q2.
Which of these is a non-renewable energy source?
Correct answer: Coal
Solar
Tidal
Wind
Q3.
What does recyclable energy refer to?
Energy created by recycling household waste
Correct answer: Energy that can be reused or reprocessed, such as nuclear or biofuels
Energy that only works in cities
The same as renewable energy
Q4.
Which of these is a common environmental impact of fossil fuel use?
Increased biodiversity
Correct answer: Carbon emissions contributing to global warming
Lower electricity bills
Cooling of Earth's atmosphere
Q5.
What’s a key difference between renewable and recyclable energy?
Renewable energy is more expensive
Correct answer: Renewable is naturally replenished; recyclable can be reused, not always natural
Recyclable is only available in HICs
There is no difference
Q6.
Why might a country not use its own fossil fuel reserves?
The reserves are always on the coast
Fossil fuels don’t work in LICs
Correct answer: Extraction may be too costly or environmentally damaging
It’s illegal to extract fuels locally

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What does 'variation' mean in the context of global energy use?
All countries use the same energy types
Energy is running out worldwide
Correct answer: Differences in the amount and type of energy used between countries
Energy is always used equally at night
Q2.
What is economic development?
Correct answer: When a country becomes wealthier and living standards improve
When people move from cities to the countryside
When a country stops using fossil fuels
A rise in renewable energy use
Q3.
Why do HICs (high-income countries) often use more energy than LICs?
They have more sunny weather
Correct answer: They have more industry, technology and transport needs
Their houses are smaller
Their populations are always larger
Q4.
Why is the idea that hot countries always use less energy incorrect?
People in hot countries don’t work
Correct answer: Many hot countries use energy for cooling, transport and industry
Hot countries don’t have buildings
Hot countries don’t have any fossil fuels