2C Flashcards
Demand outstripping supply
- Population Growth
*Currently the global population is 7.3 billion.
*Global population has risen exponentially this century.
*Global population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050.
*With more people, the demand for food, water, energy, jobs and space will increase. - Economic Development
*As LICs and NEEs develop further, they require more energy for industry.
*LICs and NEEs want similar lifestyles to HICs, therefore they will need to consume more resources.
*Development means more water is required for food production as diets improve. - Changing Technology and Employment
*The demand for resources has driven the need for new technology to reach or gain more resources.
*More people in the secondary and tertiary industry has increased the demand for resources required for electronics and robotics.
Resource Reliance Graph
Consumption – The act of using up resources or purchasing goods and produce.
Carry Capacity – A maximum number of species that can be supported.
Resource consumption exceeds Earth’s ability to provide!
Growing Demand
FOOD
*The UK imports about 40% of its food. This increases people’s carbon footprint.
*There is growing demand for greater choice of exotic foods needed all year round.
*Foods from abroad are more affordable.
*Many food types are unsuitable to be grown in the UK.
Impact of Demand
FOOD
Foods can travel long distances (food miles). Importing food adds to our carbon footprint.
+ Supports workers with an income + Supports families in LICs.
+ Taxes from farmers’ incomes contribute to local services.
- Less land for locals to grow their own food.
- Farmers exposed to chemicals.
Agribusiness
Farming is being treated like a large industrial business. This is increasing food production.
+ Intensive faming maximises the amount of food produced.
+ Using machinery which increases the farms efficiency.
- Only employs a small number of workers.
- Chemicals used on farms damages the habitats and wildlife.
Sustainable Foods
Organic foods that have little impact on the environment and are healthier have been rising.
Local food sourcing is also rising in popularity.
-Reduces emissions by only eating food from the UK.
-Buying locally sourced food supports local shops and farms.
-A third of people grow their own food.
Growing Demand
ENERGY
The UK consumes less energy than compared to the 1970s despite a smaller population. This is due to the decline of industry.
Energy Mix
The majority of UK’s energy mix comes from fossil fuels. By 2020, the UK aims for 15% of its energy to come from renewable sources. These renewable sources do not contribute to climate change.
Changes in Energy Mix
75% of the UK’s oil and gas has been used up.
Coal consumption has declined.
UK has become too dependent on imported energy.
Growing Demand
WATER
The average water used per household has risen by 70%. This growing demand is predicted to increase by 5% by 2020.
This is due to:
A growing UK population.
Water-intensive appliances.
Showers and baths taken.
Industrial and leisure use.
Watering greenhouses.
Deficit and Surplus
WATER
The north and west have a water surplus (more water than is required).
The south and east have a water deficit (more water needed than is actually available).
More than half of England is experiencing water stress (where demand exceeds supply).
Pollution and Quality
WATER
Cause and effects include:
Chemical run-off from farmland can destroy habitats and kills animals.
Oil from boats and ships poisons wildlife.
Untreated waste from industries creates unsafe drinking water.
Sewage containing bacteria spreads infectious diseases.
Management
WATER
UK has strict laws that limits the amount of discharge from factories and farms.
Education campaigns to inform what can be disposed of safety.
Waste water treatment plants remove dangerous elements to then be used for safe drinking.
Pollution traps catch and filter pollutants.
Water Transfer
Water transfer involves moving water through pipes from areas of surplus (Wales) to areas of deficit (London).
Opposition includes:
Effects on land and wildlife.
High maintenance costs.
The amount of energy required to move water over long distances.
Significance of Renewables
ENERGY
+ The UK government is investing more into low carbon alternatives.
+ UK government aims to meet targets for reducing emissions.
+ Renewable sources include wind, solar and tidal energy.
- Although infinite, renewables are still expensive to install.
- Shale gas deposits may be exploited in the near future
Exploitation
Nuclear
+New plants provide job opportunities.
-Problems with safety and possible harm to wildlife.
-Nuclear plants are expensive.
Wind Farm
+Locals have low energy bills.
+Reduces carbon footprint.
-Construction cost is high.
-Visual impacts on landscape.
-Noise from wind turbines.
WATER- HUMAN
Pollution caused from human and industrial waste being dumped into peoples water sources.
Poverty prevents low income families affording water.
Limited infrastructure such as a lack of water pipes and sewers.
Over-abstraction is when more water is taken than is replaced.
WATER PHYSICAL
Climate needs to provide enough rainfall to feed lakes and rivers. Droughts affect supply if water.
Geology can affect accessibility to water. Permeable rock means sourcing water from difficult aquifers, whereas impermeable allows water to run-off into easily collected basins.
Impact of Water Insecurity
Food production -
The less water available for irrigating crops the less food that will be produced. This could lead to starvation.
Disease and Water Pollution-
Inadequate sanitation systems pollutes drinking water causing diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
Industrial output-
Manufacturing industries depend heavily on water. A severe lack of water can impact economic output.
Water conflict-
Water sources that cross national borders can create tensions and even war between countries.
Increasing Water Supply
Water diversion - Involves diverting water to be stored for longer periods. Often water is pumped underground to prevent evaporation.
Dams and Reservoirs - Dams control flow and storage of water. Water is released during times of water deficit.
Water transfer – includes schemes to move water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit.
Desalination – Involves the extraction of salt from sea water to produce fresh drinking water.
C.S. Lesotho Highland Water Project
Lesotho is a highland country dependent on South Africa. Lesotho has water surplus due to high rainfall.
Advantages
*Provides 75% of Lesotho’s GDP.
*Provides water to areas of drought in South Africa.
Disadvantages
*Dams displaced 30,000 people.
*Destruction to key ecosystems.
*40% lost through pipe leakages.
Sustainable Water Supply
Water conservation - Aims to reduce the amount of water wasted.
Groundwater Management - Involves the monitoring of extracting groundwater. Laws can be introduced.
Recycling and ‘Grey’ Water - Means taking water that has already been used and using it again rather than returning it to a river or the sea. This includes water taken from bathrooms and washing machines.
C.S. NEE - The Wakel River Basin
How does the project work?
Provides ‘taankas’ that store water underground.
Small dams called ‘johed’ interrupt water flow and encourages infiltration.
Villages take turns to irrigate their fields so water is not overused.
Maintained by farmers so it is entirely sustainable.
Greater education for awareness.
