Challenges of resources e.g food water and energy Flashcards
1
Q
Define life expectancy
A
the number of years that a person can expect to live, on average, in a given population.
2
Q
Suggest a reason why countries have become wealthier or healthier
A
More people are working, paying tax to the government who can then invest in better infrastructure and resources
3
Q
Define resource
A
Any physical material that people need or value
4
Q
Define resource management
A
The control and monitoring of resource so that they don’t become depleted or exhausted
5
Q
Define disparity gap
A
the degree to which the intensity of a certain economic place differs between regions within a same country
6
Q
Suggest reasons why food is important to someone’s social and economic well being
A
Social - more food = better health = better life expectancy = better quality of life
Economic - varied diet = less ill = work more = earn more money
7
Q
Suggest reasons why energy is important to a person social and economic well being
A
Social - energy provides more time as it does tasks e.g washing up, water supply, cooking so more time to work, socialise, hobbies = better life
Economic - Maintain better hygiene + cook varies diet (food kept fresh longer e,g fridge), people have more time to earn money
8
Q
How many children die a day from lack of water?
A
1000 + families frequently hospitalised
9
Q
Suggest reasons why the global demand for energy is increasing
A
- Population Growth = the current world population of 7.3 billion is expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030
- Growing Middle Class = in NEE’s (there is higher consumption of goods and services) middle class expected to grow from 2 billion to 5 billion consumers in next two decades
- Climate change = changes to rainfall and temperature mean increase people demand food which might not be grown in future
10
Q
Define global inequality
A
The differences between people across countries
11
Q
Define resource supply
A
Providing vital items from sources of a natural resource to satisfy human needs e.g food, water, energy
12
Q
Define resource consumption
A
The degree to which natural resources like food, water and energy are used
13
Q
Why do inequalities in food exist?
A
- People consume less calories
- can be direct result of agricultural distribution in country/between countries = more money = more imports
- Different countries have different climates for growing food
14
Q
Why do inequalities in energy exist?
A
- people have higher income so spend more on energy = using more up
- richer countries can access abundance of energy whilst others can’t
15
Q
Why does inequalities in water exist?
A
- climate of counties e,g droughts, heat, deserts
- war/wealth affect water contamination and Hygiene and abundance
16
Q
How much of the global population uses the majority of the worlds energy?
A
1/7
17
Q
Suggest benefits to importing food abroad
A
Wider food choice - pleasure
Varied diet - nutrition
Beneficial to economy - supermarket + restaurant profits
18
Q
Suggest issues of importing food from abroad
A
Increase food miles/carbon footprint
Air pollution - transport
Poorer counties export their own food - Kenya food shortages
19
Q
Define food miles
A
The distance food has travelled to get to your plate
20
Q
Define Carbon footprint
A
A measure of the impact our activities have on the environment
21
Q
How many tonnes of CO2 are released into the atmosphere due to transport used for UK’s food imports?
A
19 million tonnes = increasing UK’s carbon foot print
22
Q
Suggest 3 ways to solve the Uk import issue?
A
- Consuming produce seasonally from UK (no need for variety abroad)
- Only allowing imported foods which can’t be grown in UK
- Reduce our consumption (no need + improved energy efficiency)
23
Q
Who would be attracted to organic produce?
A
People with concerns about pesticides and additives - they believe these are cleaner and healthier
24
Q
What are the positives of organic produce?
A
- Less water/soil pollution (from pesticides)
- Animals usually treated better in organic farming
- Higher food quality e.g better taste + nutritional value
- No pesticides + chemicals
25
What are the negatives of organic food?
- More expensive (contributes to poverty)
- Limited shelf life
- Limited products (not sustainable to feeding billions if people)
- Production will be a lot of work (leading to varied quality of food)
- Can contribute to health risks if not properly optimized
26
Define local food
Product is produced within 30-50 miles of where it is sold
27
What are the positives of local produce?
- Sustainable land usage + productivity increase
- Reconnects communities with farmers
- Crated jobs and supports local rural economies
- Less money needs to be spent on imports
- Less pollution from food miles + reducing UK's carbon foot print
28
What are the negatives of local produce?
- Other countries (poorer) rely making money from their imports to UK e.g Kenya
- Less variety (some foods can't be grown locally)
- Food prices may increase
29
Define agri-business
Operating large scale intensive farming with a high input of chemicals, machinery and other investments such as irrigation, so that food can be cheap and foo production is maximised
30
Why will agri-business become a UK trend?
Increase in peoples wealth means that the demand for food will increase
31
What will happen if the UK invests in agri-business?
Greater numbers and ranges of products are able to be grown in the UK, extending the growing season which can reduce the need for transporting crops from other areas in the world. People can invest in growing food in different ways and food can be grown closer to consumers.
32
Define water supply
The provision of water by individuals, communities, public bodies or companies
33
What are the negatives of agri-business?
- High chemical input can affect wild life
- Lots of money will be needed to invest in machinery and infrastructure
Impacts small family businesses/local farmers
- Other countries will loose money e.g Kenya
34
Define water consumption/demand
Quantity of water required to meet people's needs
35
Define water deifcit
When water demand is greater than supply
36
Define water stress
Occurs when demand exceeds supply during certain period or when poor quality restricts its use
37
Define water surplus
Water supply is greater than demand
38
Where is the highest annual rain fall in UK
North-west
39
Where is the lowest annual rainfall in UK
South-east
40
Where is population density highest in UK
South East
41
Where is population density lowest in UK
North-west
42
Name 3 schemes for increasing water supply
1. Save water
2. Water transfer
3. Building reservoirs
43
How can we save water?
- using domestic water meters encourages people to not use as much
- encouraging people to buy water efficient domestic appliances
- Keeping unnecessary taps off + flushing toilet less
44
What is the water transfer scheme?
- government has discussed building water grid which supplies water from one place to another
- allows places which have surplus of water to areas of water deficit
However can be expensive + affect wild life + uses energy
45
How can reservoirs help with water supply?
- Store water for when we have less rainfall
- Built in deficit areas to reduce cost of transferring water
- Also build lots in areas of surplus to collect water which won't be used and transfer it to areas where it will
However can cause areas to become flooded
45
Name 8 sources of UK water pollution
1. chemicals
2. rubbish
3. sewage
4. oil
5. untreated waste
6. run off from roads
7. inappropriate items in water disposal system
8. hot water
46
How does toxic waste affect water?
it can poison it. Sometimes toxins can be transferred to humans if they eat fish - this is called bio transfer
47
What can increased water temperature lead to?
Death of wildlife and disruption of habitats
48
How can increased fertilisers and pesticides affect water?
Growth of algae leading to eutrophication + important parts of an ecosystem killed
49
What effects on water does micro-bacteria in sewage have?
Spread of infectious diseases in aquatic life
50
Define fossil fuels
A natural fuel such s coal or gas or oil formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
51
Define energy mix
The range of energy sources of region of country - both renewables and non renewables.
52
Define domestic energy
Energy generated within the borders of your own country, which decreases the need for importing energy
53
Define undernourishment
The basic lack of food`
54
Define malnutrition/ undernutrition
Malnutrition is a serious health problem when people do not eat the right amounts of nutrients so lack a balanced diet an specific nutrients to help them live a healthy life.
55
What is Fracking
Hydraulic fracturing is a method of extracting natural gas (shale gas) used to release fossil fuel deposits deep in the earths surface
56
Describe the process of fracking
Pumping a mixture of sand and chemical laden water into shale rock at very high pressures. This shatters the rock and releases shale gas which is trapped within the rocks.
57
What depth is used from drilling in fracking
around 10,000 feet
58
What are the advantages of fracking
- Access to more gas and oil reserves which would help to bring current gas prices down as it increases the supply = increase energy security
- Self sufficiency as this would allow the UK to rely much less on foreign oil and gas imports which could in turn reduce energy prices abroad
- Reduced coal production
Development of fracking operations would allow the UK to reduce its production of coal for electricity. Coal is the dirtiest of all fossil fuels when it comes to electricity generation. This could help somewhat mitigate the climate crisis and potentially meet upcoming carbon emissions targets as natural gas produces around 50% less carbon emission than coal and could be a more realistic alternative to renewables.
- Jobs creation
Fracking jobs could bring new opportunities to rural areas where British shale gas and oil deposits primarily lie. An industry review in 2014 predicted that fracking could generate over 60,000 new jobs.
58
What are the disadvantages of fracking
- Water contamination
Chemicals used in the fracking process are potentially toxic and could contaminate local water supplies or cause pollution on the surface e.g U.S.A Pennsylvania water spewing incident
- Earthquakes triggered by fracking have been recorded near Blackpool in 2011 with a 2.3 magnitude recorded .
- Industrialisation
Many fracking proposals face opposition from local communities due to concerns over industrialisation of rural areas. Critics claim that fracking will result in noise pollution and much heavier traffic with a great number of trucks hauling equipment and water waste, causing higher levels of air pollution in turn.
- Ecological destruction
Fracking sites risk disturbing, reducing, damaging, fragmenting or entirely destroying local habitats, threatening the wildlife dependent on them.
- Carbon emissions
Fossil fuels extracted by fracking still emit dangerous amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to and perpetuate the climate crisis. Relying heavily on these fuels makes it harder to meet the net-zero carbon emissions targets set by the Government for 2050.
58
How does the increasing population, increase the global demand for food.
There are a greater number of people that require and demand food. For example the annual % increase in Africa is 2.51% a year. Therefore the total demand for food is evidentially increasing over time.
59
How does increasing wealth increase the global demand for food?
There is greater calorific consumption as tastes become more affluent. For example in China the calorie consumption has increased from 2100-3000 from 1981 to 2011 as wages have increased. Therefore the total demand for food increases globally overtime.
60
Define food security
The ability for people to access to sufficient, safe, affordable, high quality food and drink at all times.
61
Define food sustainability
The production of food that increases yields to meet demand from future generations while protecting the environment.
62
Define food loss
Food that is lost due to its deterioration after harvest but before it has reached the consumer
63
Define food waste
The food that reaches the consumer but is thrown away, or not used or goes off.
64
Define undernourishment
The lack of sufficient calories and nutrients in diet
65
How does Climate affect food availability
Having the right climate is essential for crop growth and having good conditions for rearing animals. Temperature is critical for plant growth as all crops have a minimum temperature in which they will grow and a minimum growing season. In Britain, wheat and Barley will only grow when the average temperature is above 6°C. You also need a decent amount of rainfall - few crops can grow where there is less than 250mm of rainfall a year (the classification of a desert) and grasses will predominate above these figure. Trees and fruits require greater amounts.
In many LICs droughts are suffered which can result in food shortages. In the Horn of Africa in
countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia there have been many droughts that can last for years (such as between 20l I and
2012). Drought can also result in desertification. Other climate factors include our changing and warming climate and natural hazards, such as floods and tropical storms which can damage crops (you can find more on these in other sections of this book).
66
How does technology affect crop availability?
Technology has been used for centuries to make farming easier and more productive. HICs can afford to invest in combined harvesters, irrigations systems for watering and road networks to improve communications. investment in technology can also make different forms of crop or pastoral farming possible in areas where they previously were not. The Green Revolution has transformed agriculture in certain parts of the world and is tied in with technological innovation. In many LICs they cannot afford these things and this limits the productivity of their agriculture. Richer nations also have access to improvements in transport and storage of food, and Transnational corporations process food making it more freely available.
67
How do pests and diseases affect food availability
There are many pests that can affect a crop and reduce the amount a farmer gets to eat or sell at the end of the harvest. Mice and rats can eat crops, as can locusts and slugs. Animals can be affected by diseases such as foot and mouth and cattle can have their lungs affected by bovine pleuropneumonia. Many HICs can combat these problems using medicines via vets for their animals or using pesticides and insecticides on their crops. These interventions are expensive and often out of the reach of LICs. HICs are even using natural pest remedies to stop insects devouring crop
68
How does water stress affect food availability
Water stress has a huge impact on food production. Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use. Without water people do not have a way of watering their crops and, therefore, to provide food for the fast growing population. Some countries have sufficient rainfall year round for their crops. Irrigation systems can be used in drier areas or during drier periods to allow for the watering of crops.
These can lead to a
doubling of crop yields. Many LICs struggle to afford these systems. Other issues include floods which contaminate water supplies and (ironically) put agriculture under water stress, and climate change which is changing the amount of rainfall and when it falls.
69
How does Conflict affect food availability
Conflict and wars affect food supply in many ways and can often lead to hunger. For example;
Many of the farm workers leave their land to join the fighting, this leaves the land untended.
Many farmers and their families are forced to flee the areas and become refugees
Food can become a weapon, as armed forces are taken by soldiers and destroyed or stolen
Soldiers can deliberately pollute water supplies to affect the local population
Crops can also be burnt and destroyed in battle.
This has been the case in many places over the past decades including in parts of Syria and Sudan
People injured = people unable to work = can't support families finacially
70
How does poverty affect food availability
People who have little money or possessions are said to be living in poverty. They often do not have enough money to buy food and this makes them physically weaker and less productive in their work. It also makes them more susceptible to suffering from disease and ill health. They also cannot afford many of the things that improve food supply such as seeds, tools and fertilisers.
71
Define famine
The widespread scarcity of food which can lead to undernutrition and even death
72
How many people out of 7 billion suffer chronic malnourishment in the world
805 million
73
How many riots were there is 2008-2011 due to food shortages
60
74
What is the strategy of irrigation
Artificially watering land. Most methods involve extracting water from rivers and underground water stores or are more large scale and involve building dams.
75
Why does irrigation help
It is used to help supply extra water to increase crop yields which leads to increased income and reduce poverty.
76
What are the challenges of irrigation
Large scale schemes can push people off land, increased water logging cost, competition, sanitation.
77
What is the strategy of Aeroponics?
Plants are usually grown in the air (rather than in soil) and are sprayed with fine water mist containing nutrients. This speeds up plant growth and allows bigger yields.
78
What are the benefits of aeroponics
Plants easily maintained with less nutrients and water needed. Requires little space. Plants easily grown and moved.
79
What are the challenges of aeroponics
Very expensive, relies on nutrient misting system, ned specialist knowledge, root chambers regularly cleaned.
80
What is the strategy of Hydroponics
These plants are grown in water. The roots are planted in nutrient rich water.
81
What are the benefits of Hydroponics
Plants able to grow faster with more nutrients. Little space is needed, less water
Crops like lettuce can be shipped
Diseases in soil eliminated
82
What are the challenges of Hydroponics
Expensive to set up
Technical expertise is important
83
What is the strategy of the "new" green revolution
The "new" green revolution focuses on sustainability and community and involves techniques such as water harvesting, soil conservation, and irrigation.
84
What are the benefits of the new green strategy
High yield varieties
Increases productivity to make it easier to feed a growing population
85
What are the challenges of the new green revolution
Crop yields aren't growing with population always
86
What is Biotechnology? (GM crops)
This uses living organisms to make or modify products to make them produce higher yields. For example a type of lettuce has been injected with scorpion genes to make it poisonous to certain pests.
87
What are the benefits of biotechnology
There modifications which have increased vitamins/proteins in rice + potatoes, developed crops to grow in poor conditions, improved food quality
88
What are the challenges of biotechnologies
People have concerns about the affects on human health and environment.
89
Define permaculture
Permanent agriculture that we can use forever
this means that we can obtain a yield, use a renewable energy source, and self regulate.
90
How can we use permaculture
By developing agricultural systems that work with nature rather than against
91
What are examples of permaculture in the UK
Organic farming, Farming in urban environment, making fish + meat supplies sustainable, eating seasonally and reducing food waste
92
Define urban farming
Urban farming is growing plants or raising animals within a city.
Or
Healthier farming where people are allocated small plots of land to produce their own food
93
Define sustainable fishing
Producing fish and meat for people so that it can last forever
e.g sustainable fish stocks, minimise environmental impacts, seasonal fishing
94
What is the difference between food loss and food waste
Food waste is discarded at a consumer level whilst food loss is the mass loss along the journey of its production
95
Describe the fish rice farm agriculture
Two bunds either side flooded paddies of water to stop from being flooded whilst retaining water.
Rice plants growing in flooded paddies
Deep water area for fish without disturbing rice plants
Net over the top to keep birds and other predators out
Other crops grown on bunds
96
What are the benefits of the fish farming project
Farmer able to sell - rice, fish, grow trees on paddies which can grow fruit and veg
Can maintain yield with net and bunds + clean soil.
The protein/nutritious food consumption increased at household level by 2-3 times
Children's health in area increased, families were able to feed themselves for more than 11 months, the average annual household income increased by 4 times
97
Describe the Kenyan case study positives
Food production is cheaper in Kenya - labour costs + environmental legislation is weaker so farmers produce more cheaply
Kenya prepares 350 tonnes of veggies + cut flower each night for UK
Leguminous vegetables constitute largest UK imports
More than 75% of Kenya population work in agriculture with 25% contributing to national production + creates jobs and uses land
98
Describe the Kenyan case study issues
Food shortages in Kenya as large amounts must be sent to the UK
In 2005 UK imported 25,000 tonnes of legumes from Kenya
Cut flowers are easily perishable = lost during shipping = waste
People in Kenya have much lower quality life than people in the UK but are still supplying UK supermarkets
99
Describe the Almeria case study
Large green house - made of plastic as they have been developed to become sustainable
Contains lots of crops
Optimal temperature, humidity and water supply
Reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilisers
Longer growing season to maximise profits = consumers receive fruit and veg all year round
100
How much rainfall is there in Almeria
200mm of rainfall a year
101
How much veg does Almeria produce for the Europe
50%
102
How much does Almeria contribute to Spain's economy
$1.5 billion
