Topic Summaries

Global patterns of energy supply

IGCSE > Geography > Pearson IGCSE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Energy supply > Global patterns of energy supply
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Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Energy supply

  • High consumption: in HICs like the UK, USA, and Australia due to industrialisation, high living standards, and reliance on energy-intensive technologies.
  • Low consumption: in LICs like Somalia, Gambia, and Haiti due to limited access to energy infrastructure and lower demand.
  • Energy surplus: in energy-rich regions (e.g. Middle East for oil, Russia for gas, China for coal).
  • Energy deficit: in energy-poor regions (e.g. Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South Asia) due to lack of resources or infrastructure. 
  • Increasing energy consumption: this is largely due to three factors:
    • Economic development: industrial growth in NEEs (Newly Emerging Economies) like China and India increases energy demand for manufacturing and transport. Rising incomes lead to higher energy use for domestic appliances, heating, and cooling.
    • Rising population: global population growth increases demand for energy for housing, transport, and food production. Urbanisation concentrates energy demand in cities.
    • Technology: advances in technology increase energy use (e.g. widespread use of smartphones, electric vehicles, and data centres). However, energy-efficient technologies (e.g. LED lighting, renewable energy systems) can reduce per capita energy consumption in some areas.

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