Resources Flashcards
Why are food, water and energy important?
when there isn’t enough of these resources it can negatively impact well-being, health and economic development
economic development happens when people work but they can’t if they’re malnourished or dehydrated
Food consumption
Undernourished countries tend to be in South Africa and Northern parts of South America
Water distribution
The driest areas on the planet are in the Southern hemisphere including most of Africa however there is a strong correlatiob between a country’s economic development and their access to safe drinking water
MORE water LOWER HDI and BETTER life expectancy and a healthier pop. that is more economically productive
Energy
Energy consumption is highest in HICs as well as NEEs like China.
China’s consumption has increased due to rapid economic development, population increase.
Why are resources unevenly distributed?
Physical factors:
Geology- some countries have more natural resources like fossil fuels because of rock type
Climate- certain climates are better or worse for growing food or are drier so have a water deficit
Soil quality-poor soil makes farming harder
Pests and disease- can eat away at crops and limit food harvest
Human factors:
Technology and development-more money or ways to access resources either through trade or technology
Conflict-wars prevent people from accessing or distributing resources
Trade and colonial history-some countries were colonised so had their own resources stripped affecting long term development
Poverty- some countries may be too poor to afford the necessary technology or afford importing food from elsewhere
Distribution of resources around the UK
Food:
Most farming happens in the warmer flatter South and East of England
Water:
Rainfall is higher in the West so areas have a water surplus
London and the South East have low rainfall so water scarcity
Energy:
The UK used to rely heavily on coal but all mines are now closed
Growing use of renewables like Wind farms as well as Hinkley Point Nuclear Plant.
Carbon footprint
the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide, released by an individual, product, organization, or activity
Agribusiness
intense farming based on up to date economic and scientific methods aimed at maximising food production
Growing demand for exotic and non-seasonal food and organic produce
-rising wealth means UK people can afford the luxury items
-there is increasing demand for organic food **grown without chemical pesticides **
-Seasonal foods like strawberries are expected all year round so are imported from abroad
Changing demand for water in the UK
75% of water is used for industry
1/5 for domestic
3% for agriculture as rainfall is high
-population growth
-more houses and domestic use
-lifestyle changes using dish washers and hosepipes
Climate change requires more use for water from taps through drier weather
Saving water
-use of domestic water meters to pay for what you use
-more use of recycled grey water
-more efficient domestic appliances
-water butts
water transfer schemes
In 2006 a water transfer scheme was proposed to distribute water from surplus to deficit but fell through to high costs
water transferred from Wales to Birmingham
water deficit
water demand is higher than supply
water surplus
water supply is greater than demand
Managing water quality
-The environmental agency is responsible for this
-monitor the quality of fresh water
-purifying water by chlorine
-restricting use of recreational use of reservoirs
-strict regulations on uses of water like hosepipes
Energy mix in the UK
In 2024 the last coal mine was shut down to achieve our carbon neutral goal by 2050
high usage of renewables and natural gas
Factors affecting water availability
-Geology: certain rocks store water called permeable rocks or Aquifers
-Climate: high rainfall areas tend to have water surplus
-Over-abstraction: too much abstraction from aquifers or rivers dry them up
-Pollution: plentiful water supply but not drinkable or clean due to pollution like industrial pollution or run-off
-Poverty: limited infrastructure to transport or sterilise water esp in LICs
Economic and environmental issues with exploitation of energy sources.
Economic:
Expensive to develop
Running costs
Deindustrailisation
Environmental:
Fossil fuels release greenhouse gases
Oil spills
Wind farms and HEP can affect habitats
Nuclear energy produces toxic waste
Food security
Access to enough safe nutritious food to maintain healthy active lifestyles at all times
Food consumption is rising due to increased pop. and rising wealth
Impacts of food insecurity
Famine:
can lead to starvation and death
Undernutrition:
weakens the immune system making a pop more vulnerable to disease
Rising food prices:
when food is scarce prices rise, the poorest cannot afford it
Conflict:
food scarcity can lead to riots or even war as communities compete for limited food resources
Soil erosion & overcultivation:
countries with food scarcity may want to overuse soil to grow as much crop as possible making the soil less fertile = soil degradation
How to increase food production:
Hydroponics: growing plants in nutrient rich water not soil
+ve increases yield, uses less water, ideal for urban areas
-ve expensive, high energy costs for heating etc
Aeroponics: plants are grown in air and sprayed with nutrient rich mist
+ve uses even less water than hydroponics, plants grow quickly
-ve needs skilled workers and expensive equipment
Irrigation: artificial watering of the land to grow crops
+ve helps farming in dry areas
-ve can cause salinisation (build up of salts)
New Green Revolution: use of high-yielding crop varieties, fertilisers and modern farming techniques
+ve greatly increased food output in countries like India
-ve can cause environmental damage, soil erosion, poorer farmers may be left behind
**Biotechnology: GM crops **
+ve improve yield, drought resistance
-ve ethical concerns and high costs
Appropriate technology: small-scale sustainable solutions like rainwater harvesting
+ve cheap, easy to maintain, helps local communities become more self-sufficient
-ve less dramatic increase in yield compared to other solutions, may not work large scale
How can food supply be managed sustainably?
-Organic farming and local farms
-Sustainable sources of meat and fish
-seasonal food consumption
-redusing food waste via composting
-Permaculture (mixing crops and animals, natural pesticides and composting, low machine usage, protecting soil and water sources)
-urban farming (growing in unused urban areas like roof top gardens helps use up local waste and grow community bonds)
Fracking: fractures in the rock by injecting fluid into cracks to force them to open further allowing acces to more oil and gas
+ve
-emits less CO2 than burning coal
-helps reduce reliance on gas imports
-brings jobs and economic sustainability
-ve
-releases high levels of Methane a more potent greenhouse gas
-still extracts fossil fuels not renewable energy
-may be bad for human health with high risk of miscarriage to pregnant women like respiratory problems
-can cause earthquakes
-requires LOTS of water
