GEOL 106 Lecture 10: GEOL 106 - Lec 10 (Mar 20th)

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering
• Course: GEOL 106
• Professor: John Hanes

Document Summary

Population: world energy consumption prediction just keeps on increasing exponentially (more ppl to feed more energy required, as well as increased wealth which increases avg buying power etc) In mid-1800s coal because popular source of energy. Notice the transition overtime from diff sources of energy. We may be slowing down pop growth, but the poorer countries (with higher population) are becoming richer so it increases consumption rates. High energy demands can result in blackouts and burnouts. Energy demand is not a smooth curve, it changes and results in energy shocks which can be short or long term. Energy shocks: constant worries from past, present and future over the price, dependency and power failure. Transition form wood to coal and oil in mid-late 1880s. Current transition is from coal & oil to alternative sources. In the next 40-50 yrs we"ll still be heavily dep on fossil fuel but we will switch from renewable resources.