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Geography 🌎 > P2 SC The Challenge Of Resource Management > Flashcards

P2 SC The Challenge Of Resource Management Flashcards

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1
Q

Define resource

A

A supply of something that has a value or purpose

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2
Q

Adequate supplies of resources are essential for…

A

Countries to develop

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3
Q

World Health Organisation suggests we need _____ calories per day
How many people fall below this figure?

A

2000-2500
Over 1 billion

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4
Q

People need to be well fed to…

A

Contribute to the economy

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5
Q

What four countries produce the most food?

A

China
India
USA
Brazil

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6
Q

What four countries have the highest daily calorie intake per head?

A

Austria
USA
Greece
Belgium

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7
Q

Water is essential for…

A

People / animals to drink
For crops / agriculture
Food supply
Source of power

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8
Q

Imbalance in water supply is mainly due to variations in…

A

Climate + rainfall

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9
Q

Rainwater needs to be captured in ____ or taken from rivers / _____
These are very ___ and require…

A

Reservoirs
Aquifers
Expensive
High levels of investment

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10
Q

The UN estimates that by 2025 there will be __ countries facing _____

A

50
Water scarcity

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11
Q

Energy is required for ______ ______

A

Economic development

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12
Q

Energy powers _____ and provides ____

A

Factories / machinery
Fuel for transport

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13
Q

In the past many countries depended on their own _____
Today the situation is more ___ with energy being ____ worldwide

A

Energy resources
Complex
Traded

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14
Q

Energy consumption is ____ as the world becomes more ____ and demand increases

A

Increasing
Developed

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15
Q

The world’s _____ countries use far more energy than ____
_____ supplies much of world’s oil but it’s own consumption is relatively small

A

Richest
Poorest
The middle east

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16
Q

How is the demand for food changing in the UK?

A

By 2037 population expected to reach 73 million —> increases future demand for food
46% of UK’s food is imported

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17
Q

Why does the UK import so much food?

A
  1. UK-produced food expensive because of poor harvests / price of animal feed
  2. Demand for greater choice + more exotic foods
  3. UK climate unsuitable for production of some foods eg cocoa, tea, bananas
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18
Q

What impacts does importing food have?

A

Expensive - high economic cost
Pollution + carbon footprint

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19
Q

We import a lot of vegetables from countries such as Kenya
What are the issues with this?

A

Kenyan farmers only earn fraction of price of vegetables in UK supermarket
2/3 are causal labourers - no job security / benefits, low pay
Producers only get 12% of final price, supermarkets get 45%

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20
Q

What is the UK doing in response to the challenges of dependency + carbon emissions?

A

Source food locally + eat seasonal foods
Organic produce - no chemicals used, however more expensive
Agribusiness - intensive farming aimed at maximising amount produced

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21
Q

What is an example of an organic farm?

A

Riverford Organic Farms - Devon
Delivers boxes of fresh vegetables around UK from its regional farms
Helps reduce food miles
Supports local farmers

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22
Q

What is an example of agribusiness?

A

Lynford House Farm - East Anglia
570 hectares
High inputs of pesticides / fertilisers
Land farmed intensively
High costs of machinery, increased efficiency, small no. of employees

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23
Q

What are the UK’s demands for water?

A

50% used domestically
21% wasted through leakage

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24
Q

The EA estimates the demand for water in UK will rise by 5% by 2020 - why?

A
  1. Growing population
  2. More houses built
  3. Increase in use of water-intensive domestic appliances
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25
Q

How far does the UK’s water supply meet demand?

A

Enough rain to supply demand, but rain doesn’t always fall where needed

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26
Q

Which area of UK has water surplus? Why is this?

A

North and West
High rainfall, lower evaporation rates, potential reservoir sites, low population density

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27
Q

Which area of UK has water deficit?
Why is this?

A

South and East
Densely populated, low rainfall

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28
Q

Where in the UK is water stress most serious?

A

SE England

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29
Q

What are water transfer schemes?

A

Attempt to match supply + demand by moving water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit

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30
Q

Why is there opposition to water transfer schemes?

A
  1. Cost of building dams / tunnels / pipes
  2. Potential damage to ecosystems - mixing of flora / fauna as water transferred from one area to another
  3. Energy needed to pump water over large distances - production of greenhouse gases when fossil fuels used
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31
Q

What is an example of a water transfer scheme?

A

The Thirlmere water transfer scheme
West Cumbria needs water - due to population growth + climate change
Thirlmere scheme (2017-2022) will transfer from Thirlmere to W Cumbria
Two 30km pipelines - using gravity flow rather than pumps (better for env.)

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32
Q

Despite increasing demand for electricity, energy consumption has fallen - why?

A

Decline of heavy industry
Improved energy conservation

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33
Q

What things have resulted in falls in energy in UK?

A

Low energy appliances
Better building insulation
More fuel-efficient cars

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34
Q

UK has seen __% fall in energy use by industry, and __% fall in domestic energy use

A

60%
12%

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35
Q

What is energy mix?

A

Range and proportions of different energy sources

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36
Q

By 2020 the UK aims to meet __% of its energy requirement from ____ sources

A

15%
Renewable

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37
Q

In 2015 the government decided to phase out what?

A

Subsidies for wind + solar energy development

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38
Q

What % of UK’s gas and oil reserves have been exhausted?

A

75%

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39
Q

The UK’s ____ ____ is affected as it becomes increasingly dependent on ____ _____

A

Energy security
Imported energy

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40
Q

A major change in the UK’s energy mix has been….

A

Decline of coal due to environmental concerns + aging coal power stations

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41
Q

Fossil fuels are likely to remain important to UK because:

A

UK’s remaining reserves will provide energy for several decades
Coal imports are cheap (3/4 coal comes from abroad)
Existing power stations use fossil fuels
Shale gas deposits will be exploited

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42
Q

All ______ power stations are to be closed by ____

A

Coal fuelled
2025

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43
Q

UK has rich reserves of ______ _____ trapped underground in ___ rocks

A

Natural gas
Shale

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44
Q

What is fracking

A

To extract gas from shale rocks, high pressure liquids are introduced to fracture the shale + release the gas

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45
Q

Fracking is controversial - people are concerned about:

A
  1. Possibility of earthquakes
  2. Pollution of underground water sources
  3. High costs of extraction
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46
Q

What are economic impacts of nuclear energy?

A

Expensive to build / decommission - proposed new plant could cost £18bn
High costs for producing electricity
Construction jobs, helps economy

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47
Q

What are environmental impacts of nuclear energy?

A

Safe processing and storage of waste is a big problem
Warm waste water can harm local ecosystems
Risk of radioactive leaks

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48
Q

What are economic impacts of wind farms?

A

High construction costs
May reduce visitor numbers (bad for local economy)
Some become tourist attractions
Locals can benefit from lower energy bills

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49
Q

What are environmental impacts of wind farms?

A

Visual impact on landscape
Avoid harmful gas emissions, reduce carbon footprint
Noise from turbines
Construction of wind farm + access roads can impact environment

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50
Q

What is water insecurity

A

Not enough water to maintain good health / livelihood due to short supply or poor quality of water

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51
Q

What is water stress

A

Demand for water exceeds supply or poor quality restricts use

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52
Q

What is water surplus

A

Water supply is greater than demand

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53
Q

What is water security

A

Having reliable source of water available (good quality and quantity)

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54
Q

What is water deficit

A

Water demand is greater than supply

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55
Q

What is economic scarcity

A

Areas that physically possess water but economic factors, eg lack of infrastructure, prevent exploitation

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56
Q

What is physical scarcity

A

Areas that experience low rainfall (arid / semi arid regions)

57
Q

Describe the global pattern of water deficit and surplus

A

Water deficit along the Tropics eg N Africa, Australia, Middle East
Surplus in N America, Europe, parts of Asia

58
Q

Suggest reasons for the global pattern of deficit and surplus

A

Deficit in areas with low rainfall
Surplus in areas with high rainfall
Areas with high population density + high consent rations of industry have highest water demand

59
Q

Describe the global pattern of water stress

A

Areas like Middle East, C Asia, Caribbean, Spain, Turkey, Mexico etc

60
Q

Many countries face high water stress - __% of available water used every year, leaving the threat of water _____

A

80%
Scarcity

61
Q

Water stress occurs when…

A

Less than 1700m3 is available per person per year

62
Q

Water stress may damage…

A

Economic development
Human health
Wellbeing

63
Q

Why is water consumption increasing?

A
  1. Growing population
  2. Energy sources
  3. Changing lifestyles
  4. Urbanisation
  5. Global demand for food
  6. Irrigation
64
Q

How much is the global population increasing by?

A

About 80 million / year

65
Q

Why do energy sources increase water consumption?

A

Need water in their production eg for cooling power stations

66
Q

Why has changing lifestyles increased water consumption?

A

Increase of average use per head

67
Q

Why has urbanisation increased water consumption?

A

More water needed for drinking, sanitation and drainage

68
Q

How much is global demand for food expected to rise by?

A

70% by 2050

69
Q

What factors influence water availability?

A
  1. Limited infrastructure
  2. Poverty
  3. Pollution
  4. Geology
  5. Over-abstraction
  6. Climate
70
Q

How does climate influence water availability

A

Regions with high rainfall usually have surplus water
Those with dry climates have less reliable water

71
Q

How does over-abstraction influence water availability

A

When water is pumped from the ground faster than it can be replaced
Causes wells to dry up

72
Q

How does geology influence water availability

A

Infiltration of water through permeable rock builds up groundwater supplies

73
Q

How does limited infrastructure influence water availability

A

Poorer countries may lack the facilities to transport water to areas in need

74
Q

How does pollution influence water availability

A

Increasing amounts of waste and use of chemicals in farming have led to more polluted water supplies

75
Q

How does poverty influence water availability

A

Many poor communities lack access to mains supply and may only have a shared supply

76
Q

What are the impacts of water insecurity?

A

Waterborne diseases + water pollution
Food production
Industrial output
Water conflict

77
Q

How does water insecurity impact water pollution / waterborne diseases

A

If water supply infrastructure is limited, there may be little to no sanitation
Open sewers / polluted water sources cause contaminated drinking water —> life threatening diseases eg cholera

78
Q

What is a named example for water pollution + waterborne diseases?

A

River Ganges, India

79
Q

How has the River Ganges been affected by pollution and diseases

A

River is 2520km long and flows through N India and Bangladesh
Most polluted river in the world
Bathing in or drinking from water is very dangerous

80
Q

How much raw sewage enters the River Ganges each day

A

1 billion litres

81
Q

What two kinds of waste are found in the River Ganges

A

Human
Industrial

82
Q

Factories discharge what into the River Ganges daily?

A

260 million litres untreated wastewater

83
Q

What industry leaks toxic chemicals into the River Ganges?

A

Leather industry

84
Q

How does water insecurity impact food production

A

Agriculture uses 70% of global water supply
Drier regions with unreliable rainfall are most at risk
Droughts affect food supply

85
Q

What are the USA’s major agricultural outputs?

A

Wheat
Maize
Rice

86
Q

What is a named example for impact of water insecurity on food production

A

River Nile, Egypt

87
Q

How has food production in Egypt been affected

A

Nile is Egypt’s primary water source
Climate change + demands of countries upstream are expected to reduce its flow by 10-90% by 2095
Food production in S Egypt likely to decline 30% by 2050

88
Q

Egypt imports __% of food and agricultural products

A

40%

89
Q

How does water insecurity impact industrial output

A

Industry is 2nd largest consumer of water
Predicted to be fastest growing sector
Growth in manufacturing + processing industries will account for much of the future demand

90
Q

Industrial output is predicted to increase in demand by…

A

120% by 2050

91
Q

What is a named example of how water insecurity affects industrial output

A

Chinese industry

92
Q

How has Chinese industry impacted water

A

By 2030 it will use 33% of country’s water
Water shortages cost China $40bn
China depends on coal resources to drive economic growth - coal mining + power stations use 20% of China’s water

93
Q

How does water insecurity affect water conflict

A

Water sources cross national + political borders
Issues such as reservoir construction and pollution can impact multiple countries and create conflict

94
Q

What is a named example of water conflict

A

Rogun Dam, Tajikistan

95
Q

How has the Rogun Dam caused water conflict

A

Rivers flow from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan
Electricity from dam will support industrial growth in Tajikistan
However Uzbekistan suffers from water deficit and dam may reduce their supplies - they also rely on exporting cotton which requires irrigation

96
Q

How can water supply be increased?

A

Diverting / storing water
Dams and reservoirs
Water transfers
Desalination

97
Q

How does diverting / storing water increase water supply

A

Water can be diverted and stored in aquifers or reservoirs - particularly useful in places where surface water evaporates quickly

98
Q

What are the advantages of diverting and storing water

A

Recycles water
Takes reliance away from surface water sources
Water can be used in dry periods

99
Q

What are the disadvantages of diverting and storing water

A

Cost of filtration + injection system
Dependent on rainfall

100
Q

How do dams + reservoirs increase water supply

A

Dams interrupt river flow and create manmade lake (reservoir) to store water and control river discharge

101
Q

What are the advantages of dams + reservoirs

A

Control of water flow - it can be transported and used for irrigation
Help prevent flooding
Can be used to generate energy too

102
Q

What are the disadvantages of dams and reservoirs

A

Can displace people
Reduce flow of water downstream
Expensive to construct and maintain

103
Q

What do water transfer schemes do

A

Redistribute water from areas of surplus to deficit

104
Q

What is desalination

A

Process where salt is removed from seawater to produce freshwater

105
Q

What are the issues involved with desalination

A

Very expensive
Environmental impacts on ecosystems when salt waste dumped back into sea
Lots of energy required - adds to CO2 emissions

106
Q

What is our named example of a large scale water transfer scheme?

A

The Lesotho Highland Water Project

107
Q

What is the context for the Lesotho highland water project?

A

Lesotho is a highland country surrounded by South Africa
Heavily dependent on SA’s economy
Few resources, high levels of poverty, growing population
High rainfall

108
Q

What is the Lesotho highland water project?

A

Water transfer scheme aimed to help solve water shortage in SA

109
Q

__% of water from Segu (Orange) river in Lesotho will be transferred to River Vaal in S Africa

A

40%

110
Q

The Lesotho scheme will involve construction of…

A

Dams, reservoirs + pipelines
Roads, bridges and other infrastructure

111
Q

What are the main features of the Lesotho highland water project

A

Aims to transfer 2000 million m3 of water each year
Water transferred to SA via a tunnel enabling HEP production at Muela plant
Katse and Mohale Dams store water

112
Q

What are the advantages for Lesotho?

A

Provides 75% of GDP
Income from scheme helps development and standard of living

113
Q

What are the disadvantages for Lesotho?

A

Unique wetland ecosystem destroyed
Building of first 2 dams displaced 30,000 people

114
Q

What are the advantages for S Africa

A

Provides water to area with regular droughts
Provides safe water to extra 10% of population without access to safe supply

115
Q

What are the disadvantages for S Africa?

A

40% of water lost through leakages
Costs likely to reach $4bn/year

116
Q

What strategies can help create sustainable water supplies?

A

Water conservation
Groundwater management
Recycling
Grey water

117
Q

How can water conservation create sustainable water supplies

A

Reducing waste + leakages
Water meters to encourage wise use
Water tariffs that increase sharply after higher use

118
Q

How much of the global water supply is lose through leakages?

A

25-30%

119
Q

How can we save water at home?

A

Only use washing machines / dishwasher on full load
Tap off when brushing teeth
Twin flush toilet system
Collect rainwater for use in garden

120
Q

How can groundwater management create sustainable water supplies

A

Groundwater stored in aquifers must be managed to maintain quality + quantity
Abstraction (loss) must be balanced by recharge (gain)

121
Q

If groundwater levels fall…

A

Water can become contaminated, making expensive water treatment necessary

122
Q

What is PGM

A

Participatory Groundwater Management

123
Q

What has PGM scheme involved in India

A

Training locals to monitor rainfall / groundwater levels
Help farmers plan when and how much water to use for irrigation

124
Q

Why was the PGM scheme needed in rural India

A

50% of water is used on irrigation
85% of drinking water is groundwater

125
Q

Through the PGM scheme, communities have used ______ to balance water supply and demand using ______ practices

A

Scientific monitoring
Sustainable

126
Q

How does recycling create sustainable water supplies

A

Reuses treated wastewater for useful purposes eg irrigation
Large quantities used for cooling in electricity or steel-making plants

127
Q

How does grey water help create sustainable water supplies

A

Water is taken from sinks, baths, showers and washing machines
Mainly used for irrigation or watering gardens

128
Q

What is our named example of a local scheme in LIC/NEE to increase sustainable water supplies

A

The Wakel River Basin project

129
Q

Where is the Wakel River Basin project taking place

A

NW India
In the south of the state of Rajasthan
Thar desert
Driest and poorest part of India
Little surface water

130
Q

What are the negative effects of over-use of water for irrigation in Rajasthan

A

Waterlogging and salinisation

131
Q

What are the negative effects of over-abstraction in Rajasthan

A

Falling water tables in aquifers
Wells dry up

132
Q

Why is there little coordination of water management in Rajasthan

A

Wells are controlled by locals and households

133
Q

What NGO is involved in the Wakel River Basin project

A

Global Water for Sustainability Program

134
Q

How does the Global Water for Sustainability Program work with locals

A

Works with them to improve water security
Locals actively involved in decision making to make management successful

135
Q

What are the 2 main aims of the Wakel River Basin Project

A
  1. Increase water supply / storage using appropriate local solutions
  2. Raise awareness in communities of the need for effective water management
136
Q

How does the Wakel River Basin Project increase water supply?

A

Encourages collection of rainwater
Taankas - underground storage systems, each can hold enough to supply a family for several months
Joheds - small earth dams, have raised water tables by 6m
Pats - irrigation channels - transfer water to fields

137
Q

How does the pat system work

A

Small dam called a bund diverts water from stream to field
Villagers take turns to water fields this way
Maintenance completed by the farmers

138
Q

Why is public awareness and education important

A

Informs local people of how to conserve water and increase water security

139
Q

By conserving water, problems like… are reduced

A

Soil erosion
Desertification
Groundwater pollution

Geography 🌎 (9 decks)

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