National and global energy resources: describe the environmental impact arising from the use of different energy resources

The idea

Every energy resource has environmental costs across its life cycle, from extraction to waste. Burning coal, oil and gas releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas linked to climate change, plus sulfur dioxide, which contributes to acid rain. Nuclear fuel produces radioactive waste needing long-term safe storage, though operation releases little carbon dioxide. Renewables generally release little carbon dioxide while running, but they have other impacts: wind turbines can harm birds and create noise, hydroelectric dams flood valleys and disrupt habitats, tidal barrages alter estuaries, and solar farms use large land areas. Biofuels can be considered carbon neutral, yet growing them may remove farmland or forest. A good method is to trace one resource from extraction to waste and name the specific impact at each stage.

What earns the marks

• Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas linked to climate change, and sulfur dioxide, which contributes to acid rain.
• Nuclear power produces radioactive waste that must be stored safely for long periods, although it releases little carbon dioxide during operation.
• Renewable resources release little carbon dioxide while running, but can affect habitats, landscapes or wildlife, for example wind turbines and birds or dams and flooded valleys.
• Biofuels can be close to carbon neutral because growing plants absorbs carbon dioxide, but they may compete with food crops or lead to deforestation.
• A strong answer names a specific resource, identifies a specific impact and explains how the impact arises, rather than giving a general list.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Saying renewables have no environmental impact.

  Put it right: They release little carbon dioxide in use but can still harm habitats, so describe the specific effect.

• Confusing global warming with acid rain.

  Put it right: Carbon dioxide is linked to climate change while sulfur dioxide contributes to acid rain, so keep the gases and effects matched.

• Ignoring the life cycle.

  Put it right: Extraction, construction, transport and disposal also cause impacts, so consider stages beyond burning or operation.

Exam tips

• Structure each point as resource, impact and cause, for example coal burning releases carbon dioxide, which enhances the greenhouse effect.
• Use comparative phrases such as releases less carbon dioxide than to show the relative size of impacts between resources.
• Include one non-carbon impact, such as habitat loss or radioactive waste, to show a balanced understanding of environmental effects.