2C Flashcards
Define Natural Resources
Features/ parts of the environment that can be used to meet human needs.
Define Abiotic
All the non-living things that are found in an area (water, soil, wind, minerals)
Define Biotic
All the living things that are found in an area
Define Renewable
Can be replenished
Define Non-Renewable
Finite resources that can’t be replenished
Define Distribution
The way something is spread out across a geographical area.
Define Biodiversity
The range of species that live in an area.
Define Exploitation
Using a resource in a non-sustainable way.
Define Pollution
The introduction of harmful materials into the environment.
Give two examples of biotic
Trees
Fish
Sheep
Cows
Wheat
Give two examples of abiotic
Coal
Gold
Iron
Wind
Sunlight
Natural gas
Water
Crude oil
Give two examples of renewable
Trees
Wheat
Fish
Cows
Water
Sheep
Wind
Sunlight
Give two examples of non-renewable
Coal
Iron
Gold
Natural gas
Crude oil
Name 3 areas of the world which are most suitable for forest
Russia
Canada
Scotland
What do northern Africa, central Australia, and the Arabian peninsula have in common?
Mainly unproductive as agricultural land (hot deserts, dry)
Define Physical water stress:
Not enough water for physical reasons (eg. climate)
Define Economic water stress:
Lack of water for economic reasons (eg. poor water infrastructure/ technology or poor water management)
Briefly describe the distribution of fresh water across the world.
Regions lacking:
England, Germany poland
North and south and east Africa
China and india connected a lot of ‘main/ central’ Asia
Describe the location of the world’s forests
Over half of the world’s forests (54%) are in five countries (russia, brazil, canada, united states, cina)
Which areas of the UK are most likely to experience water shortages?
Why?
South and the east.
Because they receive low rainfall annually on average (500-749mm)
What makes water shortages worse?
Climate change is changing out weather patterns, making it more unpredictable.
Higher temperatures and more frequent and severe storms.
Describe the distribution of the UK’s natural gas fields:
Offshore
East coast of England
Describe the distribution of the UK’s oil reserves:
Offshore
Eastern coast of Scotland
Northern North Sea
When do humans exploit resources?
Increasing demand for water
Increasing demand for energy
Increasing demand for food
Give 2 reasons why energy demand is increasing:
Population increase
Technology advances
Increase in wealth - more disposable income
How do we exploit the environment for food, water, and energy?
Food - farming and fishing (We extract 50% more resources than we did 30 years ago).
Water - Aquifiers, lakes, rivers, rainwater harvesting, treated waste water, resevoirs.
Energy - Coal mining, oil extraction, natural gas extraction, wood solar, wind, hydro-electricity
Give 1) How does soil erosion happen?
1) Demand for food -> farmland needed -> deforestation -> reduction in soil fertility -> soil exposed to elements -> erosion
2) Demand for food -> intensive use of land -> overgrazing -> soil exposed to the elements -> erosion.
Give 1) How does reduction in biodiversity happen?
1) Farming -> deforestation
2) Fishing
3) Water -> overextraction -> lakes dry up, groundwater lost
4) Pollution from extraction -> acid rain
Give 1) How does water pollution happen?
1) Mineral mining -> toxic by-products -> washed into rivers
2) Oil demand -> drilling and transportation -> ocean spills
3) Increased soil erosion ->sediment washed into rivers -> Decreased water quality
Give 1) How does air pollution happen?
1) Resource extraction -> pollutants released into the air -> air quality reduced.
2) Carbon emissions -> enhanced greenhouse effect -> climate change
Environmental imapcts of deforestation of rainforests for farming:
Enhanced greenhouse effect
Lack of biodiversity
Loss of habitats
Soil erosion
No rich, fertile soil. Exhausted soil.
Environmental impacts of overfishing/ use of bottom trawling:
Overfishing
Loss of biodiversity
Destruction of habitats
Boats cause water pollution
Environmental impacts of water pollution from mining:
Water pollution
Reduction of biodiversity
Water extraction
No ecosystem
Impact those relying on fish for food/ water for cleaning
Environmental impacts of over-extraction of water:
Over-extraction of water
Loss of habitats
Reduction in biodiversity
Name 3 countries/places consuming over 2,500 calories a day
United States of America
Canada
France
Australia
Turkey
Western Europe
Name 3 countries consuming less than 2,250 calories a day
Madagascar
Venezuela
Eastern Africa
What doesn’t calories per day data tell us?
It doesn’t show how nutritious the food is
It doesn’t show variations within the country
Why is Africa’s energy use so low?
Lack technology, transport, and money to use it
Why has the energy use in North America and Europe stayed relatively constant?
Development happened in North America and Europe ages ago, so they already had factories.
Why has Asia’s energy usage increased so dramatically?
Massive population growth.
Substantial rapid development.
What are the three main uses of water?
Agricultural
Industry
Domestic
Name 3 non-renewable energy sources:
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Nuclear
HEP
Name 3 renewable energy sources:
Wave/ tidal
Wind
Solar
Geothermal
Biofuels
Define energy mix
The proportion of different sources of energy used by a country to meet demand.
Give a human factor that influences the energy mix
1) Development/Wealth – can a country afford to exploit or import resources? Is it worth it? Price?
2) Technology – do they have the technology to develop new types of energy?
3) Political – priorities of the Government
4) Attitudes of the population/pressure from environmental groups
Give a physical factor that influences the energy mix
1) Natural Resources – are there accessible fossil fuels?
2) Climate/Landscape – is it suitable for solar/wind/HEP/ wave?
3) Tectonic Activity – is it suitable for geothermal?
Brainstorm some main points to remember with advantages/ disadvantages of energy sources
Employment
Cost
Attitudes
Settlements
Development/wealth
Technology
Political
Domino effect
What is shale gas?
Shale gas is found trapped in tiny pores in Shale rock (sedimentary).
It is formed by the decomposition of organic matter (remains of plants and animals) and is mostly methane.
How does hydraulic fracturing extract shale? 3 steps
1) Chemicals, water, and sand are injected at high pressure
2) Pressure causes fissures in rock so gas flows back out.
3) Methane and flowback water are recovered.
Why might a person oppose fracking?
Increased risk of earthquakes
Non-renewable
Methane can get into domestic water supply.
Fracking facts politics (US and UK)
1) Obama wanted to use fracking to reduce reliance on other countries for coal and gas, reducing imports.
2) Liz Truss legalised fracking in September 2022 only for it to be reversed for the following month.
3) Polling by the UK government found that just 17% of people support fracking. Faced protests and challenges.
With no planning issues or protests, fracking would meet less than 5% of the UK’s demand in the next 5 years.
What is a stakeholder?
Different groups of people (stakeholders) - individuals, organisations, and governments
Suggest 2 reasons why support for renewables among the UK population has changed over time.
1) Influenced by media forms
2) Non-renewable fuels are often cheaper in the short-term
3) People are more educated so they are more aware of the pros and cons.
What does ‘sustainable management’ mean?
To use a resource in a way hat meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Give 2 reasons why energy resources need to be managed sustainably
-> Population is increasing
-> Preserve resources for future generations
-> Environmental damage
Identify 3 things that you could personally do to reduce your carbon footprint
1) Reduce food waste
2) Switch to renewable energy
3) Buy less
4) Reduce energy usage (eg. transportation)
5) Grow own food/ buy local
How can companies/ organisations manage energy sustainably?
Shift their priorities
How can governments manage energy sustainably?
Invest in renewables
Implement laws
How can international community manage energy sustainably?
Meet to discuss plans
Stop importing/ exporting non-renewables
Give 3 factors affecting the opinion of different groups?
Media
Education
Funding
Money
