IGCSE - Economic activity defs

primary energy

fuels that provide energy without undergoing any conversion process

secondary energy

made from processing primary fuels

non-renewable energy

energy sources that once used cannot be replaced

energy production

total amount of energy created from either renewable or non-renewable sources

sustainable

use of resources today without affecting the future generation’s ability to meet their needs

energy demand

amount of energy used by a country to function its economy and maintain its high standard of living

shale oil

concentional oil trapped in shale rock formation

shale gas

conventional gas trapped in shale rock formation

energy gap

difference between a country’s demand and its ability to produce that energy from its own sources

energy security

uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price

energy mix

composition and diversity of energy sources used by a country

energy efficiency

use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function

energy conservation

any change in behaviour that results in the use of less energy

primary sector

economic activities related to working with natural resources

secondary sector

economic activities cncerned with making things mostly in factories

tertiary sector

providing services

quaternary sector

concerned with information and communications and research and development

employment

percentage of workforce they employ in the sector

gross domestic product/ gross national income

shows how much the sector contributed to the economic output of the country

subsistence farming

practice of growing crops and raising livestock sufficient only for one’s own use, without any surplus for trade

disposable income

money a person has available to spend after paying taxes, pension contributions etc.

globalisation

countries are gradually drawn together into a single global economy by a growing network of links and organisations

informal sector

industries or jobs that are unofficial and unregulated