challenge of resource management (food)

Question 1

• what are the three main resources

Answer 1

resources such as food water and energy, are needed for baisic human development

Question 2

• how does food affect the economic and social well-being of people and countries

Answer 2

a poorly balanced diet can cause illness and disease. people need to be well-fed to be productive. Obesity is an increasing problem.

over one billion people do not get enough calories. undernutrition affects a further two billion. countries in sub-Saharan Africa suffer most from undernourishment.

Question 3

• how does water affect the economic and social well-being of people and countries

Answer 3

water is: essential for drinking. vital for crops. used to produce energy

variations in climate and rainfall affect supply. capture, storage, and extraction are expensive. many poor countries have water shortages. LICs/NEEs use most water for agriculture. HICs use most water for industry

Question 4

• how does energy affect the economic and social well-being of people and countries
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Answer 4

countries need energy for industry and transport, as well as for use in homes. Electricity can allow countries to develop industry, creating jobs and wealth. lifestyles in higher-income countries depend on a large, stable supply of energy

without electricity, people in LICs and NEEs may use other resources. Burning wood can lead to local deforestation, so people have to walk further to find fuel. Kerosene stoves can release harmful fumes 

electricity can also power pumps for wells and provide more safe water for communities

Question 5

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- why is there a demand for high-value food exports

Answer 5

it can still be cheaper for food to be grown in low income countries and transported to the UK, despite the increased food miles. High-value foods can fetch higher retail prices than uk products

Question 6

how do LICs benefit from high value food exports

Answer 6

wages for locals working in farming, packaging and transport

taxes raised, which funds facilities such as schools and hospitals

however

less land for locals to grow their own food

increased pressure on water supplies

farmers exposed to pesticides without protective clothing

Question 7

why is there a demand for organic produce

Answer 7

demand for organic produce has been rising since the early 1990s. consumers are choosing meat, fruit and vegitabls that reduce the negative impact on the environment and are heathier to eat. instead of using chemical pesticides and fertilizders organic produce is using

natural predators to control pests

natural fertilizers

crops are rotated to maintain fertility

animals are not fed drugs

Question 8

what is the UKs carbon footprint

Answer 8

food contributes at least 17 per cent of the UKs carbon dioxide emissions, of which 11 percent is due to the transport of imported food.

some foods grown in the UK have a larger carbon footprint than if the food were to be imported. this is because demanding produce such as tomatoes all year round requires heated greenhouses, whereas countries with warmer climates require no additional heating- cabin emissions reduced

planes generate emissions around 100 times greater than boats. boats are slower so high value perishable foods are generally transported by plane

Question 9

how does local sourcing reduce carbon emissions?

Answer 9

home growing food; a third of people grow their own fruit and vegetables

eating locally produced food from local farmers’ markets or farm shops

eating seasonal UK produce

importing only foods that cannot be grown in the UK