Resource Security Flashcards
What is a resource?
any type of asset, commodity or item which has value to enhance the quality of
human life or help it function more effectively
What is a stock resource?
Finite and will run out eventually e.g. fossil fuels
What is a flow resource?
Infinite and can be replenished and renewed e.g. biofue
What is a natural resource?
those that exist without human intervention and can include stock and
flow resources
What is an inferred resource?
Economic viability
of resource is uncertain
What is an possible resource?
Expected that
inferred resource could
become indicated with
further exploration
What is an indicated resource?
Conditions and
location of resource can be predicted to allow initial planning
What is a measured resource?
Detailed mine planning possible
What is exploration?
the process of searching for available resources and then upgrading the resource
from inferred to measured if appropriate
Why are resources difficult to find?
due to their uneven
global distribution
What is exploitation?
the process of extracting the material from the ground and its use is
dependent on the economic viability of a resource
What is a resource frontier?
the boundary between exploited areas and areas considered too difficult to
exploit under current political and technological conditions
What are changing resource frontiers?
Technological advances
What does changing/warmer climates may allow?
Antarctica to be exploited
What does the tred follow?
Hubbert’s Curve
What does Hubbert’s curve show?
Production increases exponentially until it peaks around
halfway through available resources and is followed by decreasing production
When is it predicted peak oil will occur?
2030
What is the time peak oil production dependent on?
- Availability and discovery of reserves
- Development of new technologies
- Demand for the resource (may decrease or increase suddenly as a result of research into a
material or new uses that are found for a material) - Grade of available resources
What does sustainable refer to?
the ability to keep something going in the long-term
What does a sustainable resource development involve?
long-term planning that
ensures extraction does not increase too quickly or rise to unsustainable levels
What does a sustainable resource development ensure?
- Protection for workers
- a plan for when the resource can no longer be
exploited
When are Environmental Impact Assessments used?
to assess the possible environmental impacts of a resource development
project and should be completed before the project is approved
What does an Environmental Impact Assessment state?
the potential
environmental disturbances caused by a project across different areas of the environment ,
from the flora and fauna to the physical landscape
What do Environmental Impact Assessments suggest?
ways to mitigate and reduce any environmental impacts
What are some examples of what should be included in an Environmental Impact Assessment?
- Project description
- Consideration of alternatives
- Description of the environment
- Environmental impacts of the project
What is a mineral?
s a naturally occuring compound formed by chemical processes
Where are minerals found?
in veins (lines of material) in rock and most commonly in igneous rock, but also in some metamorphic rock
What has technological advances and development of LICs meant for minerals?
increased the global demand
for resources and changed trading patterns
Where does manufacturing of technological devices occur?
Asian NIC’s such as Taiwan
Where is most technological consumption?
North America,
Europe and developed Asian countries
What is the global trading netwrok for minerals?
where minerals
are shipped from all over the world to Asia for manufacturing and then shipped back across
the world for consumption
Historically who were the largest manufactures of minerals?
the USA and Europe
What caused moment of mineral manufacturing?
comparative labour costs and globalisation
What are geopolitics?
the combination of the ways that political and
geographical factors influence the use of land and resources
What have Global renewable
internal freshwater resources per capita decreased from?
13,206 in 1962 to
5,925 in 2014
What is causing the decrease in Global renewable
internal freshwater resources per capita?
development and population growth, which is
predicted to increase water demand up to 55% by 2050 as economic activities such as
manufacturing and agriculture increase.
What is water stress?
Demand exceeds the available amount of clean, non-polluted water during a
certain period. Leads to over-exploitation of long-term water stores such as aquifers
What is water scarcity?
When annual renewable water supplies in a country drop below 1000m3 per capita
What is economic scarcity?
Countries have enough available water supplies, but die to economic restrictions cannot exploit these reserves of water eg. Sub-Saharan Africa and the underground rivers
What is physical scarcity?
Demand of the population exceeds the available water resources of a region eg Yemen
What is absolute scarcity?
Less than 500m3 of water per person in a country per year eg Egypt. By 2025, 1.8bn people could be affected by water scarcity
How is water distributed?
Unevenly
How much access to water does the world have?
66% of the world’s population only have access
to 25% of the world’s annual rainfall
What has caused the water demand to increase?
- Population Growth - More people requires more water
- Socio-Economic Factors - Growing middle class population
- Development - Greater demand in industry and agriculture
Why can supply not meet demand?
- Aquifers over-exploite
- Water is being utilised in long-term stores, faster than it is being recharged
- Climate change is causing extended droughts periods
- Water tables are decreasing
What can affect the quality and quantity of water?
physical geography
How can climate affect water supply?
Seasonal variations
What does the soil water budget show?
that water storage and
precipitation are greatest in winter and autumn
What replenishes water supply in countries?
- Monsoon season
- Spring snowmelt
What is climate change predicted to do for water supply?
- decrease summer rainfall, but increase winter
rainfall and storm events
What does permeable rock do for water supply?
Water can be infiltrated and watet stored underground in aquifers
What does water storage do?
provides a long-term water store useful during the summer months
If the ground is impermeable, what is important?
surface storage is more important as there is no groundwater storage, increasing the risk of drought .
What is water quality like in surface stores?
Lower with pollution and eutrophication risks if the
water is not flowing
What does groundwater flow cause?
a constant supply of
water
What is the quality of ground water like?
Good
What helps to ensure a consistent water supply?
A greater drainage density and number of inputs to a river
What happens if one water supply descreased?
the other water sources (e.g. groundwater flow) ensure the overall impact on the drainage basin is not significant
Where is the water source to the Nile from?
primarily from mountainous areas of Ethiopia and other African countries
What happens if there are droughts upstream in the Nile?
decrease supplies downstream
What could occur due to Eygpts low rainfall?
There is little supply to the Nile, leading to water conflict as Egypt relies on other countries for their water
What are the methods of increasing water supply?
- Storage
- Diversion
- Water Transfer
- Desalination
- Catchment
What are some examples of water storage?
- Constructing dams
- Reservoirs
What are some examples of water diversion
- Water moved from one area to another within the same drainage basin
- Providing water for citie or irrigation for fields
What is water transfer?
- Water moved from areas of surplus to areas of deficit
- Transfer water between different drainage basins
What is desalination?
- Converting sea water into fresh drinking water
What are methods of water catchment?
- Wetland restoration
- Afforestation
What are negative of storing water in dams and reservoirs?
- Dams may only be temporary
What are negatives of water diversion?
- Can have significant environmental impacts as seen in the Colorado River
> Over abstraction has meant no water from Colorado River enters the sea
What are negatives of water transfers?
- Can dry up water source areas
What are negative of desalination?
- Expesive due to the advanced technology involved
- Caused environmental damage if it sucks marine life and may pollute groundwater
What are negatives of water catchment?
Blocking drainage channels such as on UK moorland
Which human actions over the past 200 years have decreased global water supply?
- deforestation,
- urbanisation
- groundwater abstraction
How may dams supply water to different areas?
canals, channels and tunnels
What are the environmental impacts of Major Water Supply Schemes?
- Dams flood upstream areas
- Prevent sediment from travelling downstream
- Prevent fish from travelling further upstream
- Reduce drinking water supply downstream
How much water does agriculture account for?
Around 67% of all water extracted
How much of all extracted water is used in industries for energy production?
20%
What are some water management solutions?
- Recycling Watewater
- GM Crops
- Plasticulture
- Catchment
- Reduced leakage
- Food consumption
What are GM crops?
Crops which are tolerant of dryand saline conditions
In the UK on average how much water does one person use per day?
141 litres per person per day
Including virtural water, in the UK on average how much water does one person use per day?
4500+ L
What is virtual water (or water footprint)?
the water demand of the services you use and
products you buy
Some examples of how you can reduce your water footprint?
- Shower for shorter periods of time
- Buy less clothing
- Reuse water
- Water gardens in the early morning
What is Greywater recycling?
the process of reusing water from washing machines, showers and
sinks, that may be dirty, but is clean enough to be used for irrigating plants in gardens.
What are rainwater harvesting systems?
Store water collecte by roofs
What does virtual water trade refer to?
the process of trading items that have a water footprint
What is an example of virtual water trade?
western countries import significant amounts of cotton. Due to the high water footprint of cotton, this places stress on water resources in the LIC countries it grows in.
What is the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach?
uses a river basin to holistically plan
water management strategies which protect the environment and ensure fair distribution of
water
What does the IWRM aim to do?
to protect the environment of all water supplies
and ecosystems to ensure food and water security for poorer communities. There are measures in
place to prevent corruptio
What does water conflict concern?
any disagreement between countries or different groups over water
resources, and may lead to violence at any level , from protests to war
Why might water conflict occur?
r as a result of diminishing water supplies which, make the resource
more valuable. People are willing to fight over water resources.
What are the causes of conflict?
- Terrorism
- Development
- Water shortages
- Political
How has water been used as a method to wage conflict?
WaterAid
- Attacks on Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
- Stopping the flow of water
- Contaminating water
- attacks on water and sanitation waorkers
- denial of humanitarian access
How can we produced energy as electricity?
using stock (non-renewable, finite) and flow (renewable, infinite) resources using primary and secondary methods of production
What is an energy mix?
refers to the range and proportion of energy produced by methods of production
What is the global energy mix dominated by?
Fossil fuels
What are some primary energy sources?
- Coal
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Uranium
what percentage of the global energy production in coal?
27%
What is the pattern of usage of coal?
- Usage is decreasing as
China shifts its energy mix away from coal and less polluting energy sources are used - Most production occurring in China, ahead of the USA and India.
What percentage of global energy production is petroleum?
32%
What is the pattern of usage of petroleum?
Usage is still increasing as global energy demand increases. Most usage in USA, China and India and greatest production in the USA, Saudi Arabia and Russia
What percentage of global energy production is Natural Gas?
22%
What is the pattern of usage of Natural Gas?
which is increasing year on year. Highest production in USA, Russia and Iran and greatest consumption in USA, Russia and China
What percentage of global energy production is uranium?
4%
What is the pattern of usage of uranium?
most production in Kazakhstan and greatest amount of nuclear fission
energy produced in the USA. Production likely to increase in future.
What is the pattern of solar energy usage?
usage is increasing rapidly year on year as the technologies for solar power become cheaper. China has the largest installed capacity, though production is much lower due to climatic conditions. Growth in LIC countries as technology becomes cheaper
What is the pattern of wind usage?
produces the most energy of renewable sources, with
greatest production and capacity in China. Technology is also spreading to LIC countries and offshore is increasing too
What is the pattern of wave usage?
Very low generation, though technology is developing and a similar trend may be seen to
that of solar and wind when the technology becomes cheaper.
What is the pattern of tidal usage?
So expensive that there is currently only a handful of installed tidal power schemes on a global scale. The Swansea bay scheme was abandoned due to the potential costs that it would
induce. One successful project may lead to a multiplier effect
Where is global energy consumption highest
northern hemisphere countries, which are more developed
What will impact a country’s energy mix?
Physical geography:
- Geology
- Climate
- Drainage
What do larger countries have?
a diverse physical environment , which influences the energy
mix
Which country has potential for a varity of energy production methods?
USA
What are some examples of the USA’s energy production methods?
- Alaska: oil is abundant due to geological formation
- Arizona: solar power, 195 clear days
What does a good quality energy supple need to be?
A consistent and secure Relied upon all year round
What does interdependent mean?
they import energy from other countries
What are the geopolitical implication and required cooperation of interdependence?
- Production
- Processing
- Distribution
What is the production of energy?
- Energy is produced in the areas where the physical geograpgy is suitable
- Mekong river south-east Asia, appropriate drainage for hydropower
What is processing of energy?
Energy is either processed on site or there may be no need for processing
- Fossil fuels may need refining before or after being distributed
What is the distribution of energy?
- By pipeline, transportation or in the form of electricity
- Distribution methods may cross internation borders, leading to geopolitical implications
What can the energy supply be used as by countries?
a political tool, to cause or
resolve tension between countries. Different countries have varying ‘national interests’
What are the issues when energy is being produced?
CO2 emissions may occur, or habitats disturbed by infrastructure projects
What are the issues when energy is being distributed?
pipelines may have to be laid across environmentally sensitive areas
What are issues when energy is processed?
further CO2 emissions may cause environmental damage
When is global energy demand likely to increase?
2035 and 2050
What will affect energy demand?
growing populations and the development of LIC countries
What will the increasing energy demand lead to?
energy intensive lifestyles and a greater need for manufacturing
Where will the greatest growth of energy demand be?
Developing countries
How many people currently have no electricity?
1.2 billion
How much will renewable energy usage increase by?
2035
natural gas will increase as countries such as China move away from coal
What are the issues with discovering new reserves?
new reserves are being discovered at a
lower rate than they are being exploited
What do environmental groups suggest?
that fossil fuel
exploration should stop immediately and renewable energy used instead
What is fracking?
natural gas found in shale reserves
across the world
How does fracking work?
Water, chemicals and sand are pumped into the ground to break up the shale, access the hydrocarbons and force them to the surface
What does horizontal drilling help to do?
remove the
gas reserves
Advantages of fracking
- Less polluting than coal or oil
- Requires large amounts of water
- Could provide boost to the economy
- In the UK, the Royal Academy of Engineers believe we can make fracking safe
Disadvantage of fracking
- Wastewater needs treating due to chemical contents
- May pollute groundwater aquifers. In the USA the water has become flammable due to pollution by fracking
- Earthquakes of low magnitude may occur, though they are not usually strong enough to
pose a risk to humans. They may damage fracking infrastructure, causing further leakages - The IPCC suggest it would be irresponsible to use shale gas
How much energy does uranium produce?
One tonne of uranium
produces the same energy as 25,000 tonnes of coal
What are the potential isses with nuclear power?
The potential environmental consequences of
a nuclear disaster are significant
What are some examples of nuclear disasters?
s Fukushima and Chernobyl have had
significant impacts on health and caused 1000’s of deaths
Advantages of nuclear power
- Very low carbon footprint
- High efficiency
- Safety always improving
- May have fewer negative impacts than fossil fuels
- Technology becoming more affordable and accessible for NICs
Disadvantages of nuclear power?
- Large-scale disasters occur
- Produced radioactive waste which is difficult to dispose of
- Very high cost
- Lack of support from general public
what are examples of new developments in renewable technologies?
- Solar
- Wind power
- Wave power
- Tidal Power
- Geothermal
What is solar power?
Planels that convert the sun’s energy into electricity
What are some advantages with solar power?
- Costs decreasing rapidly
- LArge potential in desert areas
What are disadvantages of solar power?
- Not very efficient yet
- Effectiveness dependent on climate and time of the year and day
What is wind power?
Wind drives large turbines and generators that produce electricity
What are positives of wind power?
- Low running cosrs
- Can be used all year
Negatives of wind power?
- Bird life can be affected
- Weather dependent
What is wave power?
Waves force a turbine to rotate and produce energy - or other similar methods
Positives of wave power?
- Produce most electricity during winter
when demand is highest - Pioneer projects are commencing
across the globe
Negatives of wave power?
-Very expensive and a ‘perfect’
solution is yet to be created
- Needs to survive storms
What is tidal power?
Incoming tides drive turbines in
similar way to hydropower
Positives of tidal power?
- Has significant potential
- Reliable source of energy once
installed
Negatives of tidal power?
- Very expensive
- Few schemes currently operating in
the world
What is geothermal power?
Water is pumped beneath the
ground to hot areas and the steam from the
water drives turbines to produce electricity
Positives of geothermal power?
- Low maintenance costs
- Suitable where other technologies
might not be
Negatives of geothermal power?
- High installation cost
- Risk during earthquakes etc.
What does energy demand management reduce?
overall consumption of energy by consumers
What does energy management do?
Shifts a countries’ energy mix away from low efficiency sources such as coal, to more efficient
resources such as nuclear power
How else might energy consumption be managed?
by the inclusion of subsidies from governments that provide financial aid to economic sectors (or
renewable technologies) to make them more affordable and encourage their use
What is the UK climate change levy?
created in 2002 as a mandatory tax that all businesses have
to pay. Businesses receive incentives for improving their environmental credibility
How is decentralised energy produced?
away from the national grid and close to where it will be used
Why is decentralised energy produced away from national grid?
reduces energy losses during transmission to maximise the overall efficiency of production
How are decentralised energy schemes often powered?
by Combined Heating and Power (CHP) systems that allow
production of energy and then reuse of surplus heat in District Heating (DH) schemes that
distribute hot water to power radiators and other heating systems
What does carbon trading encourahe?
organisations to reduce their carbon emissions by introducing a carbon emissions
cap
What does the Kyoto protocol propose?
emission controls at the international level for the first time and started in 2008 with the aim is to reduce greenhouse emissions by an average of 5% (1990
levels) by 2012
When does acid rain occur?
Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides enter the atmosphere as fossil fuels
are burned to produce energy
What can acid rain do?
destabilise whole ecosystems when
the rain decreases the pH level in the rivers
What did acid rain cuase?
forests to die as seen across Europe in
the 1970’s
What did the death of forests result in?
1979 Geneva Convention, Clean Air Acts and the development of
technical solutions such as catalytic converters in car exhausts and sulphur dioxide scrubbing
systems in power stations
What is an issue with nuclear waste?
no ideal solution for its disposal
What percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions is released by homes and buildings?
30%
Examples of new technologies being developed to improve efficiencies of energy production methods?
s Tesla are
developing home battery packs that will allow renewable energy to be used when the demand for
energy is highest
