Understanding Concepts and Terminology

• Energy security: 1 mark
• Renewable/non-renewable energy sources: 1 mark
  • Renewable: solar, biomass, hydropower, wind, wave, tidal, geothermal
  • Non-renewable: fossil fuels, nuclear
• Sustainability 1 mark
• Emissions 1 mark

Breadth in Addressing and Linking

• Link different countries' issues of energy security with their energy choices 1 mark
• Link energy choices to relative sustainability of renewable/non-renewable sources 1 mark

Examples

• Examples of renewable/non-renewable energy sources 1 mark
• Examples of countries' energy choices 1 mark
• Examples of issues of energy security 1 mark
• Examples of impacts of exploiting energy resources 1 mark

Balanced Analysis

• Analyze whether energy choices driven by concern for energy security are more or less sustainable 2 marks
• Acknowledge relevant counter-arguments/alternative viewpoints 1 mark

Conclusion

• Conclusion consistent with and supported by analysis and examples 2 marks

  • Example: Although more sustainable renewable energy choices usually provide energy security, in some countries, due to local availability of non-renewable sources, the concern for security has been met by less sustainable sources (e.g., US exploitation of tar sands). Candidates' conclusions do not have to agree with the example.

    9 marks in total

Award 1 mark for each of the following; 4 marks max

• Cultural influence, e.g., rising environmental awareness led to value of straw as building material: 1 mark
• Social influence, e.g., animal rights leading to devaluing of animal furs in fashion: 1 mark
• Economic influence, e.g., increased investment in industrial processes led to higher value of fossil fuels: 1 mark
• Technological influences, e.g., progress in nuclear technology led to higher value of uranium: 1 mark
• Political influences, e.g., increasing concern for energy security in US has led to devaluing of oil/increased value of tar sands: 1 mark
• Ecological influences, e.g., greater understanding of ecosystems/ecology has led to high value attached to biodiversity: 1 mark

eg hydropower:

• Hydropower is renewable because the water flow is replenished by the water cycle
• Building the dam will inhibit migration of fish reducing their populations
• Involve the flooding/destruction of terrestrial ecosystems
• Cause sedimentation that will lead to more flooding upstream
• Involve use of non-renewable building materials
• Construction/maintenance involves heavy use of fossil fuels/GHG production
• Reduced downstream flow threatening riverine populations/species
• (Reduced downstream flow threatening) associated terrestrial systems dependent on water flow eg floodplains/wetlands
• Building of access roads/growth of recreational activity may lead to damage of terrestrial/riparian systems
• May increase water loss/scarcity through increased evaporation rates
• Impacts of dam may reduce sustainability of local populations through eg reduced fishing/breeding ground for parasites/loss of agricultural land

eg solar energy:

• Solar energy is renewable because of continuous input/insolation
• Energy for panel construction/extraction of silicon involves use of fossil fuels/GHG production
• Production utilizes plastics derived from (non-renewable) fossil fuels
• Manufacture results in plastic waste that is non-biodegradable
• Require metals/elements that are non-renewable resources
• (Metals/elements) extracted through mining that damages habitats/ecosystems
• Manufacture involves use/production of many industrial toxins/hazardous waste
• Manufacture/operation requires considerable water supply (for cooling etc)
• Transport of materials for manufacture/installation impacts environment
• Limited life span/decommissioning will lead to further waste
• Solar farms can take up/displace large areas of natural ecosystems

Award3 max if example of energy source is non-renewable or unnamed. Award1 mark for each correct answer given above or for any other points of equivalent relevance, validity and significance, up to 7 max. If candidate addresses more than one valid resource, limit total credit to highest scoring one.