🔸 7.
1 Energy Choices and Security
✅ Key Concepts:
• Energy sources (renewable/non-renewable)
• Energy security
• Influencing factors
• National and global strategies
🔹 1. Energy Sources
Type Examples Renewable? Pros Cons Real-life Example
GHG USA, Saudi Arabia,
Fossil Coal, Oil,
Cheap, reliable emissions, India – major coal and
Fuels Natural Gas
pollution oil users
High
Radioactive France gets ~70% of
Nuclear Uranium efficiency, low
waste, risk energy from nuclear
GHG
Clean, Weather Germany – leader in
Solar Sunlight
sustainable dependent solar energy
Denmark – 47% of
Wind Noise, bird
Wind Low emissions electricity from wind
turbines deaths
(2020)
Ecosystem Norway – 95% of
Hydro Water flow Reliable, clean
disruption electricity from hydro
Organic Reusable, Air pollution, Brazil – uses ethanol
Biomass
material local land use from sugarcane
🔹 2. Energy Security
• Definition: Reliable access to affordable energy.
• Key factors:
o Resource availability
o Political stability
o Infrastructure
o Affordability
🌍 Example:
• Russia-Ukraine war (2022–) disrupted Europe’s gas supply → led to energy
insecurity → surge in renewable investments.
🔹 3. Factors Influencing Energy Choices
• Environmental: Iceland uses geothermal energy due to volcanic activity.
• Technological: Japan’s push for nuclear fusion tech post-Fukushima.
• Economic: African nations rely on coal due to cost.
• Political/Cultural: Germany is phasing out nuclear due to public opposition (post-
Fukushima disaster).
🔹 4. Strategies to Reduce Fossil Fuel Dependence
• Individual: Solar panels, energy-efficient devices.
• National: India’s National Solar Mission.
• Global: Paris Agreement (2015) – keep global warming <2°C.
🔸 7.2 Climate Change – Causes and Effects
✅ Key Concepts:
• Natural vs. enhanced greenhouse effect
• Human impact
• Climate feedback loops
• Environmental and social effects
🔹 1. Greenhouse Effect
Gas Source GWP Real-life Notes
CO₂ Fossil fuel burning 1 China, USA are largest CO₂ emitters
Livestock, landfills, rice India, China – major methane emitters from
CH₄ 25
fields agriculture
Heavy use in intensive farming in USA,
N₂O Fertilizers, fossil fuels 298
Netherlands
CFCs Refrigerants (now banned) ~12,000 Controlled under Montreal Protocol (1987)
🔹 2. Human Activities Enhancing Greenhouse Effect
• Transportation: Vehicle emissions.
• Deforestation: Especially in Amazon Rainforest.
• Industrialization: Coal power plants in India & China.
• Agriculture: Livestock in USA, rice paddies in Asia.
🔹 3. Feedback Loops
Type Example Impact
Positive Melting Arctic ice → ↓ Albedo → ↑ heat absorption Amplifies warming
Positive Permafrost melts → CH₄ release More warming
Negative Increased cloud cover → reflects sunlight Reduces warming
🌍 Real Example:
• Siberian permafrost thawing is releasing methane – a dangerous feedback loop.
🔹 4. Impacts of Climate Change
✅ Environmental:
• Melting glaciers: Himalayas, Greenland
• Sea level rise: Threatens Maldives, Tuvalu
• Coral bleaching: Great Barrier Reef (AUS)
• Droughts and desertification: Sahel Region, California
✅ Social:
• Climate refugees: Bangladesh (sea level rise)
• Health risks: Heatwaves in Europe (2023)
• Food insecurity: Drought in Ethiopia, Kenya
• Water scarcity: Cape Town (2018) nearly ran out of water
✅ Economic:
• Infrastructure damage: Hurricanes in Florida
• Loss of tourism: Bleached reefs = fewer visitors in Australia
🔸 7.3 Mitigation and Adaptation
✅ Key Concepts:
• Mitigation vs. adaptation
• Local, national, and global responses
• Evaluation of effectiveness
🔹 1. Mitigation Strategies
Strategy Details Example
Renewable energy Replaces fossil fuels Germany, India's solar push
Energy efficiency Better tech = less waste EU energy rating system
Carbon taxes Polluters pay more Sweden – successful carbon tax
Cap-and-trade Emissions trading EU Emission Trading System
Carbon capture Store CO₂ underground Canada’s Boundary Dam project
Afforestation Trees absorb CO₂ China's Green Wall Project
🔹 2. Adaptation Strategies
Strategy Example
Coastal defenses Netherlands: dikes, sea walls
Drought-resistant crops Used in Sub-Saharan Africa
Water conservation Singapore's water recycling (NEWater)
Emergency planning Japan’s earthquake & tsunami drills
Migration Planned relocation in Kiribati
🔹 3. International Agreements & Cooperation
Agreement Purpose Effectiveness
UNFCCC (1992) Global climate coordination Framework, voluntary
Kyoto Protocol Legally binding for developed
USA withdrew, limited
(1997) nations
Paris Agreement Most nations signed, implementation
Limit warming <2°C
(2015) varies
🌍 Example:
• USA left Paris Agreement under Trump (2017), rejoined under Biden (2021).
🔹 4. Vulnerability and Resilience
Country Vulnerability Resilience Factors
Bangladesh High flood risk, low income Strong NGO support, early warning systems
Norway Wealthy, high latitude Tech and infrastructure
Kenya Rainfall-dependent agriculture Community adaptation programs
🧠 Exam Tips
• Always link cause → effect → solution.
• Use real-life examples to back up answers.
• Know at least 2 mitigation + 2 adaptation strategies with case studies.
• Practice drawing diagrams: Enhanced Greenhouse Effect, Feedback Loops.
