global resources Flashcards
bio capacity
the land and water to provide resources for humanity
ecological footprint
hypothetical area of land required by a society, a group or an individual to fulfil all their resource needs and assimilate all their waste
it is measured in global hectares (gha)
energy security
access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy resources for cooking, heating, lighting, communications and productive uses
food security
the “availability and access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (FAO)
nexus
the interrelationship, interdependence and interactions between water, food and energy
virtual (or embedded) water
the way in which water is transferred from one country to another through its exports
water security
continuing accès to safe drinking water and sanitation
changes in the middle class
vietnam case study
- since 1990 economic growth in Vietnam has averaged 6% per year
- developed from one of poorest countries into middle income country (MIC)
- one of main reasons for success proximity to China which gives a competitive advantage –> as wages in china have risen, firms have relocated to low cost Vietnam
- young population (median age 30 whereas China’s is 36)
- 6.3% of GDP invested in education (around 2% more than most LICs and MICs)
- member of TransPacific Partnerships(TPP), a 12 country trade bloc that includes USA and Japan
- has a free trade agreement with Korea and is negotiating one with the EU
country profile of Vietnam
population 92.5 million
average annual growth rate 2009-2014: 5.9%
structure of employment:
- agriculture 46.8%
- industry 21.2%
- services 32%
trade/principal exports ($bn):
- telephones and mobile phones 23.6
- textiles and garments 20.9
- computers and electronic products 11.4
- footwear 10.3
total 150.1
principal imports ($bn):
- machinery and equipment 22.4
- electronics, computers and parts 18.7
- telephones and mobile phones 9.4
- textiles 8.5
total (inc.other) 149.3
main export destinations (%of total)
USA 20
China 10.4
Japan 10.3
South Korea 5
main origins of import (% of total)
China 30.3
South Korea 15
Japan 8.9
Thailand 4.9
p471 Ecological footprints - why are they useful?
- can act as a model for monitoring environmental impact
- can also allow for direct comparisons between groups and individuals, such as comparing LICs and HICs
- can highlight sustainable and unsustainable lifestyles ex populations with a larger footprint than their land area are living beyond sustainable limits
P472 How do countries increase their ecological footprint?
- by relying heavily on fossil fuels
- increasing its use of technology and therefore energy
- high level of imported resources
- large per capita production of carbon waste
- large per capita consumption food
- having a meat-rich diet
carrying capacity
the maximum tourist population that the area can sustain without damaging the environment
renewable resources
naturally occurring substances that can be replenished over time. These resources are integral to environmental sustainability, as they offer alternatives to finite, non-renewable resources.
non renewable resources
are finite and deplete over time. They are extracted faster than they can replenish, leading to eventual exhaustion.
embedded/virtual water
Refers to the way in which water is transferred from one country to another through its exports. These exports may be foods, flowers or manufactured goods, for example.
It allows countries with limited water resources to “outsource” their water from countries that have no more water resources. It also allows a country to reduce the use of its own water resources by importing goods.
ex: Mexico imports maize, and thereby saves 12 billion cubic meters of water each year
how is water used differently in NICs, LICs and HICs
–> industrial uses off water increases with GNI, rising from about 10% for LICs to about 60% for HICs
–> more water will be required to produce water for the world’s growing population, partly because of changes in diet. Many industries, in particular the food, textiles, drinks and pharmaceuticals industries, need large quantities of water for their products, which will increase demand for water over the coming decades. Much of the growth will be in LICs, many of which are already experiencing water stress
Why is there an increasing need to manage water more efficiently? What are the main factors?
- population growth: set to reach 9 billion by 2050
- growing middle class: increasing affluence leads to greater water consumption ex showers, baths, gardening
- growth of tourism and recreation, for example golf courses, water parks, swimming pools
- urbanisation: urban areas require significant investment in water and sanitation facilities to get water to people and remove waste products hygienically
- climate change: no one is precisely sure how this will influence the water supply but there will be winners and losers in the supply of fresh water
Which countries are most likely to struggle with water accessibility in the future?
–> water is unevenly distributed around the world, and over 780 million people do not have access to clean water
–> water availability is likely to decrease in many regions. For example, 300 million people in sub saharan Africa live in a water scarce environment and climate change increases water stress in many areas. Central and Southern Europe are predicted to get drier as a result of climate change
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what is poverty
Poverty is defined as the lack of access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare
what is poverty reduction
Poverty reduction refers to efforts aimed at reducing or eradicating poverty
what factors is the complex issue of poverty influenced by
economic, social, and political structures, and inequalities
what are approaches to poverty reduction
Providing direct assistance (e.g. cash transfers, food aid)
Creating job opportunities
Improving access to education and healthcare
Promoting economic growth and development
Poverty reduction not only reduces or eradicates poverty; it also:
Has positive impacts on other areas, including health, education, and gender equality
Can be on a small or large scale
Including initiatives from governments and international organisations
what does poverty reduction dress
systemic issues such as social exclusion, discrimination and equality
poverty reduction requires collaboration and partnership among various stakeholders, which may include:
Governments
Civil society organisations
Private sector
poverty stats regarding the progress towards the UNs ‘ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 is to ‘End poverty in all forms’ by 2030
- over one billion people have moved out of extreme poverty
- The percentage of the world population living in extreme poverty has decreased from 46% in 1968 to 8.5% in 2019
- The number of people living in extreme poverty has decreased over the same period, from 2 billion to 660 million
Between 2020 and 2021, there was an increase in people living in extreme poverty to 750 million
This was due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
why despite progress made is the goal of ending poverty by 2030 unlikely to achieved
Globally, almost 1 in 10 people still experience extreme poverty
why has poverty reduction occurred
due to increased incomes
what has poverty reduction led to
The new global middle class (NGMC) - approximately 2.5 billion people
Fragile middle class - approximately 4 billion people
There are many suggested reasons for the global decrease in poverty including:
- The rapid development of countries in Asia
- Globalisation and trade
- Increased participation of China, India and Eastern Europe in the global economy
- Reduced colonial and neo-colonial influence in some countries
Despite the decrease in levels of extreme poverty, there has also been an increase in wealth inequality
The wealthiest 1% own almost 45% of the world’s financial assets
how has wealth inequality evolved since 2020
The wealthiest 1% own almost 45% of the world’s financial assets
- There has also been an increase in relative poverty in many regions
- As the wealthiest become richer the gap between them and those on lower incomes increases
the middle class is a phrase
which was used to describe people between working class and upper class
the new global middle class (NGMC)
refers to individuals or households attaining a certain level of income and consumption
