AP Environmental Science: Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

Lecture by Mr. Smeeds

Objectives:

• Identify global distribution of natural energy resources.
• Practice explaining relationships or differences between environmental concepts using visual models.

Key Topics:

Proven Reserves of Major Fossil Fuels

• Coal:

  • Largest proven reserves.
  • Estimated to last 100-150 years at current consumption rates.
  • Major countries with reserves: United States, Russia, China, Australia.

• Natural Gas:

  • Estimated to remain for 50-60 years at current consumption rates.

• Oil:

  • Estimated to last approximately 50 years.
  • Estimates are subject to change with new explorations.

New Extraction Methods

Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)

• Process:
  • Involves piping water underground at high pressure to fracture shale and extract trapped gas.
  • Extends estimates of natural gas availability.
  • Notable increase in U.S. natural gas production post-2008 due to fracking.
• Limitations:
  • Fossil fuels remain non-renewable despite new extraction methods.
  • Short-term business profits drive exploration but do not alter eventual depletion.

Oil Sands and Tar Sands

• Process:
  • Extracts bitumen (a thick, sticky form of crude oil) with high energy and water inputs.
  • Notable reserves in Alberta, Canada.
  • Increases supply of crude oil by opening new extraction areas.
• Impact:
  • Significant increase in Canadian oil sands production, meeting high global oil demand.
• Environmental Considerations:
  • Energy and water-intensive.
  • Bitumen extraction involves melting with steam for pipeline transport.

Economic and Environmental Insights

• Fossil fuels continue to be a major part of the energy supply due to their extensive use in diverse products (e.g., plastics, asphalt, fuels).
• Exploration and new extraction technologies can delay fossil fuel depletion but cannot prevent it.

Practice Question for Topic 6.4

• Task: Identify a U.S. region likely to produce natural gas and describe the geological features associated with natural gas reserves.
  • Use visual models (maps) to make predictions and explanations.