Challenges In The Human Environment - Resource Management Flashcards
Water - economic well-being
Water is an essential resource (can survive up to 3-5 days without)
Water insecure = cannot afford it = standard of living decreases
Water - social well-being
Dirty water = cholera = higher death rates
Lack of water for crops = famine
Food - economic well-being
Gives body energy = nutrients
Malnourishment + malnutrition = diseases (scurvy and heart) = low GDP
Food - social well-being
Starvation = death
Food insecurity = poor health = poverty cycle as cannot work
Energy - economic well-being
Secondary sector requires more energy (e.g. factories)
Energy insecurity = low GDP
Energy - social well-being
Homes, schools and transport require energy
Quality of life may be impacted
Supply and consumption of resources
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
Food - why do we import so much
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
Food - impacts of importing
High food miles (distance travelled by imported foods in the UK)
Expensive to travel by air
Large carbon footprint
Food - response to importing (1)
Agribusiness
Organic produce
Agribusiness (1)
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
Organic produce (1)
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
Water - demand in the UK
Demand has increased due to -
Higher population
Increased leisure use
Change in personal hygiene
Increase in wealth
Water - management of water in the UK
Use of domestic meters
More efficient domestic appliances
Increased use of recycled water
Wastewater (grey water) from homes can be recycled for use
Water transfer
When you match your water supply with demand by moving water from an area of surplus to an area of deficit
Water - transfer of water in the UK
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
Energy - UK’s energy mix
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
Energy - importance of fossil fuels
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
Energy - fracking
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
