Topic Summaries

Case study – energy supply projects

IGCSE > Geography > Pearson IGCSE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Energy supply > Case study – energy supply projects
Previous Module
Next Module

Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Energy supply

Shale gas extraction (fracking), USA
Key Details
  • Fracking involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals into shale rock to release natural gas
  • Fracking occurs in more than 30 states in the USA
Benefits
  • Increases domestic energy supply, reducing reliance on imports and creating jobs to boost the economy
  • Natural gas is cleaner than coal and oil
Costs
  • Risk of groundwater contamination from chemicals
  • Causes minor earthquakes
  • High water usage and environmental damage
  • Releases methane which is a highly toxic and potent greenhouse gas
  • Poorly regulated in the USA making it hard to monitor pollution and violation of safety rules
  • Banned in other countries like the UK due to its environmental impact

Unlock Case study – energy supply projects

Subscribe to SnapRevise+ to get immediate access to the rest of this resource.

Premium accounts get immediate access to this resource.

Previous Module
Next Module