Fossil Fuel Formation

○​ Fossil fuels are carbon-based fuels formed millions of years ago from the decay of living matter.
○​ Coal is formed from ancient plant material, while oil and natural gas are derived from small marine organisms.
○​ The formation of coal begins with peat, created from dead vegetation, which compresses over time into lignite and eventually into coal.
○​ Oil and natural gas form when small animals and plants die and settle on the seabed, becoming covered by sediments that undergo heat and pressure,
transforming them into hydrocarbons.

Energy Resources and Electricity Generation

○​ The global demand for energy is rising due to population growth, industrialization, urbanization, and increased living standards.
○​ Common energy sources include non-renewable options like coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as renewable ones like wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels.
○​ Electricity generation methods include:

Economic, Social, and Environmental Factors in Energy Usage

○​ Economic factors influence energy resource utilization; countries prefer their own cheaper fuel supplies, e.g., Middle Eastern oil.
○​ Social factors include job creation from energy projects, which can alter local economies and priorities, such as the transition from traditional industries.
○​ Environmental factors highlight pollution from fossil fuels and how the transition to renewable sources can threaten local ecosystems and alter landscapes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Energy Sources

○​ **Fossil Fuels**: Job opportunities exist, but they release harmful emissions contributing to climate change.
○​ **Nuclear Power**: Produces large energy outputs without carbon emissions, but poses radiation risks and generates long-lasting waste.
○​ **Biofuels**: Renewable with potential carbon benefits, yet burning them releases greenhouse gases and requires land.
○​ **Geothermal Power**: Constant supply without emissions, though limited by geographic conditions and installation costs.
○​ **Hydroelectric Power**: Water reuse potential coupled with no emissions, but dam impacts can disrupt local ecosystems.
○​ **Tidal and Wave Power**: Reliable and renewable but limited to specific areas and presently less efficient.
○​ **Solar Power**: Abundant sunlight availability does not produce emissions, yet efficiency can drop in poor weather and it requires large spaces.
○​ **Wind Power**: Renewable and carbon-free, with limitations based on location suitability and visual impacts.

Energy Demand Factors

○​ Domestic energy demand is shaped by affordability and societal standards; for example, energy-intensive products like imported fruits increase overall
consumption.
○​ Industrial energy demand is driven by manufacturing requiring substantial energy inputs, particularly for mass-produced goods.
○​ Transport logistics raise energy usage due to reliance on fossil fuels, influencing costs and environmental impacts.
○​ Economic health affects energy consumption-good conditions increase demand for goods and energy, while poor conditions lead to conservation.
○​ Climate change influences energy requirements for heating and cooling in varying climates.

Energy Conservation and Management Strategies

○​ Strategies to manage energy resources include reducing consumption through better insulation and energy-efficient devices.
○​ Insulation methods: loft, underfloor, cavity wall, and double glazing reduce heat loss effectively.
○​ Developing alternative fuels and engine technology is essential, alongside scrappage schemes for older, inefficient machinery.
○​ Energy from waste initiatives like anaerobic digestion can convert organic waste into usable gas while improving soil quality.
○​ Education and government incentives are crucial for promoting energy-efficient technologies and practices among consumers.

Oil Pollution

○​ Major causes of oil spills include offshore extraction, pipeline leaks, and shipping accidents.
○​ Oil spills severely impact marine life, as they block sunlight for phytoplankton, which affects the entire food chain including fish and birds.
○​ Management methods include regulations like MARPOL for oil transport, improved tanker designs, and spill containment strategies such as booms, detergent
sprays, and skimmers.

Fracking

○​ Fracking involves extracting oil or gas from shale by fracturing them with high-pressure mixtures of water, sand, and chemicals.
○​ Advantages include increased access to energy resources and reduced import needs, while disadvantages involve risks of chemical exposure and environmental
damage.
○​ Specific concerns include pollution of water sources and disturbance of local ecosystems, which necessitate careful management and regulation.