Challenges In The Human Environment - Resource Management

Question 1

Water - economic well-being

Answer 1

Water is an essential resource (can survive up to 3-5 days without)

Water insecure = cannot afford it = standard of living decreases

Question 2

Water - social well-being

Answer 2

Dirty water = cholera = higher death rates

Lack of water for crops = famine

Question 3

Food - economic well-being

Answer 3

Gives body energy = nutrients

Malnourishment + malnutrition = diseases (scurvy and heart) = low GDP

Question 4

Food - social well-being

Answer 4

Starvation = death

Food insecurity = poor health = poverty cycle as cannot work

Question 5

Energy - economic well-being

Answer 5

Secondary sector requires more energy (e.g. factories)

Energy insecurity = low GDP

Question 6

Energy - social well-being

Answer 6

Homes, schools and transport require energy

Quality of life may be impacted

Question 7

Supply and consumption of resources

Answer 7

Consumption is based on affordability and availability

HIC’s = high consumption = higher standard of living

NEE’s = consumption is increasing as more factories are built as they require energy

LIC’s = low consumption as they cannot afford to exploit or import resources

Question 8

Food - why do we import so much

Answer 8

UK climate is unsuitable for the production of certain crops

Demand for seasonal produce is high all year round

UK produced foods can be expensive

Question 9

Food - impacts of importing

Answer 9

High food miles (distance travelled by imported foods in the UK)

Expensive to travel by air

Large carbon footprint

Question 10

Food - response to importing (1)

Answer 10

Agribusiness

Organic produce

Question 11

Agribusiness (1)

Answer 11

Intensive farming aimed at maximising the amount of food produced

Lynford House Farm - East Anglia

Advantages -

Flat, fertile land = productivity and profit
Machinery makes farms efficient
Small number of workers
Made a fake reservoir

Disadvantages -

High inputs of chemicals
Uses pesticides and fertilisers
Machinery costs are high

Question 12

Organic produce (1)

Answer 12

Food produced without the use of chemicals such as fertilisers or pesticides

Riverford Organic Farms - Devon

Advantages -

Supplies locals with fresh food weekly
Support local farmers
Provide local employment
Reduce food miles

Disadvantages -

An increase in carbon dioxide
Staffing cost increases

Question 13

Water - demand in the UK

Answer 13

Demand has increased due to -

Higher population

Increased leisure use

Change in personal hygiene

Increase in wealth

Question 14

Water - management of water in the UK

Answer 14

Use of domestic meters

More efficient domestic appliances

Increased use of recycled water

Wastewater (grey water) from homes can be recycled for use

Question 15

Water transfer

Answer 15

When you match your water supply with demand by moving water from an area of surplus to an area of deficit

Question 16

Water - transfer of water in the UK

Answer 16

Kielder Water Transfer

In Kielder, there is a reservoir where rainwater is collected

Positives -

London receives more water = less water stress = a better quality of life
Newcastle also benefits as a growing city

Negatives -

Scotland = water deficit = water stress
Costly scheme - money could be used elsewhere
Leakages when transporting = water deficit

Question 17

Energy - UK’s energy mix

Answer 17

In 1990, coal dominated the mix (66%), followed by nuclear (20%) and gas (<2%)

In 2007, gas increased to 1/3, nuclear, coal and oil decreased

In 2014, coal dominates again (1/3) and renewables make an appearance

Question 18

Energy - importance of fossil fuels

Answer 18

The UK’s remaining fossil fuel reserves provide energy for decades

Coal imports are cheap with 3/4 of the UK’s coal being from abroad (Russia)

Existing power stations use fossil fuels

Question 19

Energy - fracking

Answer 19

Fracking is drilling through shale rock

Advantages -

Alternative to natural gas
Meets our energy demand
Cheap
Creates jobs = GDP
Exerts half the amount of carbon dioxide compared to coal

Disadvantages -

Drilling = homes damaged
They are man-made earthquakes
Fracking negligence causes contamination of water = illness
Noise pollution