Resource and Consumption: Resource abundance - United Kingdom Flashcards
Does the UK have any WEP stresses?
The UK has medium water stress and a low food security risk but high-risk energy security.
What is the climate like?
Temperate with over half the days overcast.
What is the NIR?
0.27%; this does not take into account the immigration rate of 2.5 migrants per 1000 population.
What is the water situtation?
- Water supply is very good in the UK, with 14.5 million m3 per day available for domestic and commercial use.
- The whole population (100%) has access to improved drinking water.
- It rains 1 in 3 days.
- It mostly rains more in winter than in the summer: this reduces losses by evaporation.
Global climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of droughts, especially in the eastern and south-eastern parts of England.
By 2035 it is expected that 45% of the water resource zones could fall short of demand.
Some 11% of the rivers and 35% of the groundwater supplies are at risk of environmental damage caused by water abstraction.
Southern England is likely to face summer shortages.
What is the food situation?
The UK has a very long history of farming and it has a low risk of food insecurity. In addition, with obesity rates of 27% in 2017 food insecurity is likely to be a long way off. Here is a brief list of facts. Farming:
uses nearly 70% of the land
employs 1.5% of the workforce
provides 60% of the food that the UK eats
is concentrated in East Anglia (crops) and the south west (livestock)
has high use of technology, skilled farmers and fertile soils
Poor income is forcing farmers to diversify into organic farming, biofuels and non-agricultural activities.
What is the energy situation?
the UK had a high energy security risk in 2011 and with such a high dependence on non-renewable sources of energy that is not surprising. In the early 2000s the UK government recognised the need to address an impending ‘energy gap’ and industry reports predicted a 20% shortfall by 2015.
The energy gap was expected due to:
the imminent closure of the coal-fired power stations, as they could not meet emissions standards
closure of the Magnox nuclear power stations that had reached the end of their lifespans.
What are the solutions to overcome the energy issue?
- There was an 11% increase in the use of nuclear power, although Scotland is blocking the construction of any new nuclear power stations in Scotland.
- By 2013 nearly 15% of the electricity generation was from renewables.
- There has been a focus on energy efficiency, with a switch to compact fluorescent and LED lighting decreasing demand for electricity.
