Resource management Flashcards
Define energy mix:
Range of energy sources of a region or country, both renewable or non-renewable.
What is renewable energy? Give examples.
- Energy sources that will never run out
- eg. wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric (dams), biomass (rotting stuff to make methane).
Explain how and why the UK energy mix has changed over time:
HOW:
- 1990: almost three quarters of UK energy comes from coal.
- 2007: equal mix of coal, gas, nuclear.
- 2014: renewable becomes more important.
WHY:
- people are becoming more environmentally minded.
- political instability: oil from Middle East, gas from Ukraine.
Why does the UK import so much food? (3)
- We demand seasonal produce all year round (eg. strawberries etc.)
- We want greater choice and more exotic foods (which our climate can’t grow)
- Food from abroad is cheaper.
What impact does the UK importing food have? (4)
- Food miles: distance food has traveled, uses food, greenhouse gases, enhanced greenhouse effect.
- Deforestation of farmland
- Water is needed to grow crops, can lead to water shortages.
- Food production produces waste and chemicals and pesticides used can pollute environment.
How does changing demands for food create opportunities and challenges:
ORGANIC FARMING: eg. Riverford Farm, Devon. Small scale local produce, low food miles.
+ no chemicals (less pollution)
+ creates jobs
+ cheaper as it doesn’t use pesticides)
- more expensive, can’t produce a lot of it.
AGRIBUSINESS: eg. Lyndford Farm, East Anglica. Large scale, industrial farming, technology, large fields.
+ lots of food for growing population.
+ effecient
- only employs a few people (per production scale)
- Chemicals used (pollution)
- Machinery (greenhouse gases)
+ but, produces less than importing from abroad.
Why is water important for social wellbeing?
- washing
- drinking
- cooking
- clean water makes you healthy
- grow food - agriculture.
Why is water important for economic well being?
- industry
- can cause conflict
- clean water makes you healthy so you can go to work and hold a job.
Why is water consumption increasing?
- population increase
- more factories / industry eg. making clothing
- energy production (tidal, nuclear)
- Rising living standards (people have more money for stuff like flushing toilets, showers, dishwashers etc.)
What is water insecurity?
demand > supply
Impacts of water insecurity: (3)
- not healthy (from drinking dirty water) -> can’t go to work -> no money -> no healthcare, food, housing etc. Children can’t go to school.
- Decrease in biodiversity -> ecosystems threatened
- Conflict (eg. Ethiopia want to build a dam in the Nile, but this has caused tension between them and Egypt as they are worries about their water supply).
General info about SOUTH to NORTH water transfer scheme, China.
- The North doesn’t have as much water, and has major industry.
- South has lots, which comes from the Yangtze River.
Positives of the South to North water transfer scheme: (3)
- 11 million people provided with clean water
- Industry will increase as there’s plenty of water, leading to jobs and economic development
- Groundwater supplies in the North have been replenished, which keeps the ground stable and reduces risks of landslides etc.
Negatives of the South to North water transfer scheme: (3)
- Homes / towns relocated, 330,000 people displaced.
- Cost $79 billion
- Habitats have been destroyed.
Describe the distribution of food globally
- Countries with a secure access to food are HICs, mostly in Northern hemisphere.
- Countries with some undernourishment are NEEs with large populations eg. India & China
- Countries with high undernourishment are mainly LICs in Africa.
Describe the distribution of water globally
- Areas with secure water access: HICs in Northern hemisphere
- Physical water scarcity: countries in desert areas
- Economic water scarcity: countries in Africa and Southern Hemisphere
What is economic water scarcity?
There is physically enough water, but the country / area doesn’t have enough money to treat and distribute enough to support the population
What is physical water insecurity?
There physically isn’t enough water to support the population
Describe the global distribution of energy
- High energy consumption: HIC
- Medium energy consumption: mostly HICs such as China
- Low energy consumption: LICs in Africa (main industries are ageiculture)
Why is food important for economic well-being?
Malnourished -> less productive at work -> make less money -> GNI will drop
Why is food important for social well-being?
malnourished -> immune system weaker -> more likely to get sick -> less likely to recover -> lower life expectancy
Why is energy important for economic wellbeing?
power needed for industry eg. factories -> if there is not enough, there will be lowered income
Why is energy important for energy wellbeing?
energy needed for transport (eg. to work/school) and for homes (eg. heating, cooking, light)
What is our case study for a small scale water management scheme, and where is it?
- Ladakh, artificial glaciers
- Mountain cold desert located in Himalayas in Northern India
Why is the small scale scheme needed? (4)
- region receives low rainfall (50mm a year)
- locals rely on water from melting glaciers during the summer months to irrigate their fields
- however, climate change has meant natural glaciers are receeding
- 80% of population relies on farming
