Economics of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Order ID: 89JHGSJE83839 Style: APA/MLA/Harvard/Chicago Pages: 5-10 Instructions:
Question 1 Energy use trends
Figure 1 Primary energy consumption of the USA 1635 – 2007
1.Trends (1 pt each, 17 pts)
What was the percent change (estimate) in US consumption? (eg Earlier year energy / later year energy) or use this website: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/num/percent-change.html
Although the early dates show zero energy describe that and how you would explain the change. Coal is completed for you. Also it is correct to state that the percent change is effectively zero. The first 260 years are done for you.
From 1635 1895 (260 years)
Coal – According to the graph, the use of coal was approximately zero from years 1635 possibly 1815. Estimating year 1815 to be 20 Mtoe, percent change from 1815 to 1895 = ((100-20)/20)*100 = effectively a 400% increase in 80 years.
Petroleum Based on the graph above, the usage of petroleum was approximately zero from years 1635 until 1895, where percent change was effectively zero. This is likely since Petroleum was not used in America until the year 1895 so no energy consumption in Mtoe would be recorded. Percent change is zero as energy usage, or lack thereof, remains constant throughout this time period.
Natural Gas According to the graph, the use of natural gas was approximately zero
from years 1635 to what appears to be 1890. During that time, natural gas had not yet
been harnessed as a primary energy source in the US and thus no substantial energy
consumption in Mtoe would be recorded. Estimating year 1890 to be 15 Mtoe, percent
change from 1890 to 1895 was ((20-15)/15) x 100 = 33.3%, effectively a 33% increase in
5 years.
Nuclear Based on the graph, the usage of Nuclear energy was approximately zero
from years 1635-1895, where percent change was effectively zero. Nuclear energy was
not used in the US until much later, in the early 1990s. Since energy usage remained
constant (at zero Mtoe) throughout this time period, the percent change remains zero.
Hydro According to the graph, the use of Hydroelectric energy was approximately zero from years 1635-1890, where percent change was effectively zero. Estimating year 1895 to be 10 Mtoe, percent change from 1893 to 1895 was ((10-5)/5)) x 100 = effectively a 100% increase in 2 years.
Biomass and Fuelwood Based on the graph, the usage of Biomass and Fuelwood was approximately zero from years 1635 to 1721. Then usage steadily increased until
peaking at year 1870 at around 80 Mtoe. Estimating year 1870 to be 80 Mtoe, percent
change from year 1721, where usage was approximately 20 Mtoe = ((80-20)/20)) x 100 =
effectively a 300% increase in 149 years. Following year 1870 and up to year 1895,
biomass and fuelwood energy consumption decreases, with year 1895 approximately 50
Mtoe, effectively a ((50-80)/80) x 100 = 37.5% decrease in 25 years. This downward
trend appears to coincide with the emergence of other energy sources in the industry,
as around this time period, consumption of coal and petroleum increase.
From 1895 1945 (50 Years)
Coal –
Petroleum
Natural Gas
Nuclear
Hydro
Biomass and Fuelwood –
From 1945 2005 (60 years)
Coal –
Petroleum –
Natural Gas –
Nuclear
Hydro
Biomass and Fuelwood –
2. Trend Analysis (20 pts)
2a. Explain why natural gas consumption increased so dramatically beginning in 1945. Cite at least one article or reference. (10pts)
2b. Explain why oil consumption declined in the 1970s. Cite at least one article or reference. (10pts)
Figure 2a US net electricity generation Figure 2b US coal production
Figure 3 US average coal prices and recoverable reserve 1950 – 2005
Examine the trends of natural gas and coal in 1955 to 1975 in Figure 1.
2c. Describe the trends of the two energy sources. Do they appear to interact? (5 pts)
2d. Now examine Figures 2a and 2b. Describe what these two figures show. Does this support what you see in Figure 1. Explain. (5 pts)
Examine Figure 3
2e.Look up the definition of recoverable reserves? What is the definition? (5 pts)
2f.Describe the trends in Figure 3 from 1971 1983. Make sure to talk about all the data lines: price (nominal and real), and reserves. Consider the recoverable reserves potential supply. (5 pts)
3 Application of policy to trend analysis (10 pts)
Read the article
Corkery, Michael. (March 20, 2016). As Coal Future Grows Murkier, Banks Pull Financing. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/21/business/dealbook/as-coals-future-grows-murkier-banks-pull-financing.html
Based on the information, data and the article reviewed, how would you respond to this quote and the idea that environmental regulation alone caused coal decline?
Tougher regulation under former President Barack Obama put additional stress on the coal industry by requiring power plants in some cases to undertake expensive upgrades or shut down. On Tuesday, the EPA said Obamas plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions from power plants was overly prescriptive and burdensome.
DiChristopher, Tom. (August 21, 2018). Trump administration reveals greenhouse gas rule for power plants to replace Obama-era plan. Accessed at:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/21/epa-reveals-greenhouse-gas-rule-for-power-plants-to-replace-obama-plan.html
4 Corn and ethanol
Access the NASS website for corn statistics https://www.nass.usda.gov/
1) Go to Data And Statistics in the green menu at the top
2) Under Explore Statistics select Crops and Plants
3) Under Choose a Commodity, Sector select crops
4) Under Group select field crops
5) Under Commodity select corn
6) Under Choose Data Items, Select Corn Acres planted
Access the data at the top National Statistics for Corn
4a.What is the percent increase or decrease in Corn Acres planted from 1900 1990? What was the percent increase in corn production from 1990 2017? (10 pts)
Under Charts and Graphs access corn Acreage by year. You should see a graph from 1999 2019.
4b. Viewing this graph there appears to be a 24 % increase in corn harvested and a 20% increase in corn planted in years 2006 2007.
What 2005 policy may have caused an increase in corn production? (5pts)
4c.Can you find data to support foreign oil dependence decreased during the period 1990-2017? Summarize briefly and cite the data or article to support change in foreign oil dependence causes in the last 20 years. (10 pts)
4d. Read the article Splitter, Jenny (Oct 25 2018). Food vs. Fuel What Trumps Ethanol Policy Means for the Food System https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennysplitter/2018/10/25/food-vs-fuel-what-trumps-ethanol-policy-means-for-the-food-system/#4ee221a04c38
Is this an unbiased article? Why or why not? (5pts)
What are your thoughts on non-renewable and renewable energy after learning more about policy interaction? (3pts)
RUBRIC
Excellent Quality
95-100%
Introduction 45-41 points
The background and significance of the problem and a clear statement of the research purpose is provided. The search history is mentioned.
Literature Support
91-84 points
The background and significance of the problem and a clear statement of the research purpose is provided. The search history is mentioned.
Methodology
58-53 points
Content is well-organized with headings for each slide and bulleted lists to group related material as needed. Use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance readability and presentation content is excellent. Length requirements of 10 slides/pages or less is met.
Average Score
50-85%
40-38 points
More depth/detail for the background and significance is needed, or the research detail is not clear. No search history information is provided.
83-76 points
Review of relevant theoretical literature is evident, but there is little integration of studies into concepts related to problem. Review is partially focused and organized. Supporting and opposing research are included. Summary of information presented is included. Conclusion may not contain a biblical integration.
52-49 points
Content is somewhat organized, but no structure is apparent. The use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. is occasionally detracting to the presentation content. Length requirements may not be met.
Poor Quality
0-45%
37-1 points
The background and/or significance are missing. No search history information is provided.
75-1 points
Review of relevant theoretical literature is evident, but there is no integration of studies into concepts related to problem. Review is partially focused and organized. Supporting and opposing research are not included in the summary of information presented. Conclusion does not contain a biblical integration.
48-1 points
There is no clear or logical organizational structure. No logical sequence is apparent. The use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. is often detracting to the presentation content. Length requirements may not be met
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Economics of Agriculture and Natural Resources