es econ so far

global pollutant

pollutant that comes from all over the world

kaya identity

population x gdp/population x energy use/gdp x CO2 emissions/energy use

who has the most CO2 emissions per capita

united states

degrowth

lowering gdp

what are the conflicting goals for energy

inexpensive and reliable energy, clean air, limiting climate change

which countries consume more energy

higher income countries

how many people have access to electricity

91%

what is the greatest external threat to human health

local air pollution

electrification

converts an energy-consuming device from using non-electric to electric

how is electricity generated

turbines spin (from steam, wind, or flowing water)

energy

measured over time (kWh)

power

the instantaneous use of energy (kW)

how do grids work

electricity added to the grid must match load at all times

blackouts/brownouts

happen when load exceeds electricity

power surges

happen when electricity exceeds the load

when were ghg emissions in the US the highest

2007

when is world population expected to peak

2080

balancing authorities

ensure that power demand and supply are balanced (most are electric utilities that balance specific portions of the power system)

what is the most common source of electricity in the US

natural gas

what is the most common source of electricity in the world

coal (cheap and plentiful)

LCOE (levelized cost of electricity)

measures the average net cost of electricity, represents the minimum average price at which generated electricity must be sold to break even

GDP

total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a given period of time (doesn’t include items made for other items, ex. car air conditioner)

what does gdp mean for life satisfaction

a higher gdp typically means higher life satisfaction

causes of per-capita economic growth

educated and healthy workers, increased access to tools and infrastructure, more technology, improved management and organization

how much electricity comes from wind and solar in the US

17%

how much of the US’s hydropower does washington produce

25%

does the government intervene in a free market economy

sometimes yes (ex. food safety regulations)

environmental kuznets curve (EKC)

a theory about the relationship between pollution and economic development, shows that developing countries have more pollution, better evidence for local air pollution but not so much for GHG

decoupling

increasing GDP while lowering CO2 emissions (ex. france, germany)

waterbed effect

if a place puts in more environmental regulations, then they’ll just move and keep polluting

sesame labeling mandate issue

there was a mandate that forced all foods to be labeled if they contain any bit of sesame, companies just started adding sesame to their stuff because it was easier and cheaper

why aren’t markets always socially optimal

markets aren’t always competitive, pollution has costs that buyers and sellers don’t think about, people don’t get all the benefits of their innovations so they’re less incentivized