Future Energy Scenarios Learning Objectives: 1.What are the options for future energy use? Learning Outcomes: A/A* Grade students will be able to evaluate the options for future energy use. B Grade students will be able to explain the options for future energy use C Grade students will be able to describe the options for future energy use 18th November 2014C/W Starter: Looking at the quote above from the recent IPCC report, what do you think are the barriers to cutting greenhouse gas emissions? "Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems.“ IPCC Report 2014

What are the options for the future?

Business as Usual approach - Global 40 per cent rise in total energy demand by European households have increased their electricity consumption by 31% in the last 15 years, in spite of an average increase by 17 % in end- user electricity prices compared to the mid 1990s. - Carry on at the same rate of emissions and use of fossil fuels - Reducing resources leads to greater conflict over supplies and tension between supplies and consumers

Nuclear - Very mixed view on this approach by different key players/countries - Can reduce emissions of GHG dramatically, but has other costs to consider, especially in a ever increasing politically unstable unstable world - Reduce reliance on fossil fuels and switch to nuclear energy

Renewables -Slow progress, but now produce 22% of UK’s energy -Affected by NIMBYism (or is it??) -Expensive -Reliant on physical conditions -Could help reduce carbon emissions dramatically

Carbon taxes etc -Stick not carrot scenario -Public often unwilling to actually pay higher taxes as they believe it is just away of government making more money -Can hinder economic growth

OptionsAdvantagesDisadvantages ‘Business as Usual’ Nuclear Renewables Taxes, recycling, incentives