energy

• Why has the UK's energy mix changed?

  -about 75% of the UK's known oil and natural gas reserves have been used up

  -coal consumption has declined to due concerns about greenhouse gas emissions
• How has the UK's energy mix changed?

  -in 1990, almost 3/4 of the UK's energy came from coil and oils.

  -by 2007, there was an equal mix of coal, gas and nuclear - all non-renewable sources

  -by 2014, the use of renewable sources such as wind and solar energy became more important
• How has the UK's energy consumption changed?

  -fallen in recent years due to a decline of heavy industry and energy conservation (use of low-energy appliances, building insulation and fuel-efficient cars)
• Why are fossil fuels likely to remain important in the future?

  -the UK's remaining reserves will provide energy for several decades

  -coal imports are cheap

  -shale gas deposits may be exploited in the future
• What are the economic impacts of nuclear energy exploitation?

  -nuclear power plants are expensive to build

  -decommissioning old plants is expensive

  -new plants provide job opportunities
• What are the environmental impacts of nuclear energy exploitation?

  -problem of safe processing and storage of radioactive waste

  -warm waste water can harm local ecosystems
• What are the economic impacts of wind farm exploitation?

  -high construction costs

  -local homeowners can have lower energy bills
• What are the environmental impacts of wind farm exploitation?

  -visual impact on the landscape

  -help reduce carbon footprint

  -noise from turbines