Geography key terms

The amount of energy used by people, businesses and other activities over a given period.

The average energy consumption per person, calculated by dividing total consumption by population.

A shortfall in energy supply relative to demand. A gap between domestic production and consumption can be filled by imports.

How much energy people, businesses and services need.

Increasing the range of energy sources used, reducing dependence on a single source or supplier.

Providing the same useful service or output with less energy input.

Housing designed to provide warmth and other services using less energy.

Developing and using an energy resource to provide usable energy, such as extracting natural gas or harnessing wind.

The shortfall when a country's energy consumption is greater than the energy it can produce from its own resources, so it must import energy.

The networks and facilities needed to produce and deliver energy, such as roads, pipelines and electricity grids.

A situation in which energy supplies are insufficient, unreliable, unaffordable or inaccessible.

The combination of energy sources used to meet energy needs, and the proportion supplied by each source.

A source that can be used to provide energy, such as coal, wind or sunlight.

Access to an uninterrupted, affordable and accessible supply of energy.

The energy made available for use from resources such as coal, oil, natural gas, uranium, wind and sunlight.

A situation in which available energy supply exceeds demand.

The amount of energy consumed in a country over a period, usually a year, divided by its population.

Putting laws into practice through monitoring, preventing illegal activity and applying penalties.

Additional warming caused by human activities increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The question or purpose that a geographical investigation is intended to address.

The main question that an investigation aims to answer.

The El Niño Southern Oscillation: an irregular natural cycle involving changes in equatorial Pacific sea temperatures, winds and atmospheric pressure, with neutral, El Niño and La Niña phases.

A designated area where government incentives and support aim to attract businesses, investment and jobs.

An effect on ecosystems, habitats, land, water or environmental quality.

An assessment of the likely environmental effects of a proposed activity before it takes place.

An agreement associated with the Antarctic Treaty that designates Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science and strengthens environmental protection.

The condition of a place's surroundings, including features such as building maintenance, litter, pavement condition and green space.