2.6

• Why are fossil fuels still the dominant energy source, and what challenges arise from their global distribution?

  Fossil fuels make up 86% of the global energy mix due to established infrastructure and reliability. However, they are unevenly distributed due to geology, creating a mismatch between where reserves are located (e.g., Canada) and where demand is highest (e.g., China and the US)
• How has global energy consumption changed since the 1990s, and what role has China played?

  Global energy use has increased by 50% since the 1990s, largely driven by China's rapid industrial and economic growth. Despite being the second-largest oil importer, China’s oil reserves are only 10% the size of Canada’s.
• What are energy pathways, and how are they influenced by international agreements?

  Energy pathways are routes through which energy is transported from producers to consumers (e.g., pipelines, shipping routes). They rely on bilateral and multilateral agreements, and major producers like Russia often avoid transit states to maintain control (e.g., Gazprom’s gas routes to Europe).
• How is oil transported globally, and what risks threaten energy security?

  About half of global oil is shipped via tankers through chokepoints—narrow, strategic routes like the Strait of Hormuz (where 20% of global oil passes). These areas are vulnerable to piracy, militant attacks, and weather damage, which can disrupt supply and raise prices.
• How does political conflict, such as in Syria, impact energy politics and infrastructure?

  In Syria, geopolitical tensions involve Russia (backing Shia allies) and the US (supporting Sunni groups), partly due to proposed pipelines through Syrian territory to Europe. Control of land directly affects energy routes and global interests.
• What are unconventional fossil fuels, and how are they extracted?

  These include shale gas, oil shale, deepwater oil, and tar sands. Techniques like fracking and steam injection are used to extract bitumen or gas from difficult-to-access locations, as seen in the US energy boom and Canada’s tar sands.
• What are the main benefits of developing Canada's tar sands, and who is involved?

  Benefits include increased energy security for North America (potentially 16% of oil needs by 2030), economic growth, job creation, and regulated land reclamation. Key players include government bodies, major oil companies (e.g., Shell, BP), local communities, and environmental groups.
• What are the main environmental and social costs of tar sands extraction in Canada?

  Extraction is energy and water-intensive, produces large waste volumes, increases carbon emissions, and leads to deforestation and habitat loss in the taiga. It also disrupts local communities and lowers ecosystem resilience.