Energy Insecurity & Sustainable Solutions

Energy insecurity affects billions of people worldwide. While some countries have abundant energy resources, others struggle to meet basic energy needs. This lesson examines the causes and consequences of energy insecurity, explores sustainable energy solutions, and evaluates large-scale energy projects. Understanding these issues is essential for the AQA GCSE Geography exam.

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What Is Energy Insecurity?

Energy insecurity occurs when a country or community does not have reliable access to affordable energy to meet its needs. This can mean:

• Insufficient electricity generation to power homes and businesses
• Dependence on imported energy, making a country vulnerable to price changes and supply disruptions
• Energy poverty — when households cannot afford to adequately heat or power their homes

The Scale of the Problem

• Over 750 million people worldwide lack access to electricity
• Approximately 2.4 billion people rely on traditional biomass (wood, charcoal, animal dung) for cooking, causing indoor air pollution
• Energy poverty exists in HICs too — in the UK, around 6.5 million households are in fuel poverty

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Causes of Energy Insecurity