*The Challenge of Resource Management - Introduction (Paper 2) Flashcards
This is a compulsory topic. This deck of cards covers the start of the 'Challenge of Resource management' topic, covering the global supply and consumption of resources, and an overview of resource use in the UK (food, energy and water)
What is a resource?
A stock or a supply of something that has a value or purpose e.g. food, energy, water.
Name 3 resources people need?
- Food
- Energy
- Water
What is undernutrition?
A poorly balance diet lacking in vitamins and minerals
How does a lack of food affect wellbeing?
- Lead to illness
- Illness leads to inability to work
In which continent are most undernourished people concentrated?
Africa
Why is water such an important resource?
- Drinking (domestic)
- Irrigating crops (agriculture)
- Industry
How does water affect wellbeing?
- Important for crop/food production
- Water for drinking/bathing
- Source of power
Why is there likely to be a water imbalance in the future?
Variations in climate and rainfall
What is ‘water scarcity’?
A lack of a clean supply of water to meet demand
In HICs which sector uses the greatest proportion of water?
Industry
In LICs which sector uses the greatest proportioin of water?
Agriculture
Name a region with little or no water scarcity
- North America
- Europe
Name a region with physical water scarcity?
Middle East
Why is world energy consumption increasing?
Countries are developing leading to increased demand in industry, homes etc.
Which group of countries are seeing the fastest increase in the demand for energy?
Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs)
Why does the UK import so much food?
- Cheap from abroad
- UK produced food can be expensive
- UK climate unsuitable for some food types eg bananas
- Demand for seasonal produce all year
- Demand for more choice
What are food miles?
The distance travelled by food imported into the UK
What is a carbon footprint?
The measure of carbon dioxide produced by certain activities
How does food generate a carbon footprint?
- Producing, processing and packaging food releases CO2
- Food needs transporting which releases emissions
How is the UK tackling it’s dependency on imported food and increasing air miles?
- Moving towards more agribusiness
- Producing more organic food
- Encouraging people to buy locally
What is food security?
Securing a reliable food supply by reducing dependence on imported food and growing more food in the UK
What is agribusiness?
A farming methods that involves large scale, intensive farming, including production of fertilizers, farming methods are managed by one big firm. The aim is to produce as much as possible.
What are the charactreristics of agribusinesses?
- High levels of investment
- Modern technology used
- Chemical fertilisers used
- Intensive production
What is organic produce?
Food grown without the use of chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides)
Lynford House Farm is an agribusiness in East Anglia.
What are its main features?
- Flat, intensively farmed land
- Makes use of the climate so grows wheat and potatoes
- Chemical pesticides and fertilisers used
- High number of machines
- Low staff numbers
- Has built a 54 million litre reservoir to store water
Riverford Organic Farm in Devon delivers boxes of vegetables to customers.
What are the advantages of schemes like this?
- Reduce food miles
- Support local economy i.e. farmers
- Provide jobs for local people
- Strong link between producer and consumer
Why will demand for water in the UK continue to increase?
- Increasing population
- More houses being built
- More water intensive appliances eg washing machines
What is meant by a ‘water surplus’?
Where the supply of water exceeds demand
What is meant by a ‘water deficit’?
Where the demand for water exceeds supply
Where in the UK is there a water surplus?
The north and west
Where in the UK is there a water deficit?
The south and east
What is ‘water stress’?
When demand for water is greater than the supply of water
Name 3 ways that water savings can be made?
- Household water meters
- Using recycled water
- More efficient use of household appliances e.g. washing machines
What is ‘grey water’?
Water that has already been used within a household.
How can grey water be used again?
- Watering plants
- Flushing toilets
What are water transfer schemes?
Water is moved from an area of surplus to an area of deficit using underground pipes.
Name the water transfer scheme that transfers water from the River Tyne to the Tees, Derwent and Wear.
Kielder reservoir
Why do people oppose water transfer schemes?
- Damage to river habitats
- High costs
- Release of greenhouse gases when pumping water over long distances
How does the Environment Agency manage water quality?
- Monitoring river water quality
- Removing sediment from water
- Purifying water
- Restricting recreational uses so water is not wasted or contiminated
- Regulate water that is used.
What are the sources of groundwater pollution?
- Chemicals from mines
- Industrial sites
- Fertilisers from farms
- Warm water from power stations
Why has demand for energy in the UK declined in recent years?
- Decline of heavy industry
- More energy being conserved e.g. low energy appliances, efficient cars and building insulation
What is meant by the term ‘energy mix’?
The amount and type of different energy sources used by a country
How has the UK’s energy mix changed?
- In the past - more reliance on coal
- Now - less coal used. Gas and renewables form a large proportion of energy mix.
What is ‘energy security’?
When a country generates enough of its own energy internally without relying on imports
Coal use has declined over time but why will fossil fuels remain important to the UK?
- Still plenty of coal reserves left
- It is cheap to import
- Shale gas will be exploited in future
What is ‘fracking’?
The process of extracting shale gas from under the ground
Explain how fracking works
High pressure liquids are pumped underground to release gas trapped within sedimentary rock.
Why is fracking controversial?
- Drilling can trigger earthquakes
- Can pollute underground water sources
- Expensive process
What are the economic impacts (+ and -) of nuclear power?
- Expensive to build
- Costs a lot to produce the electricity
- Expensive to shut down when complete
+ Building boosts jobs and the local economy
What are the environmental impacts (+ and -) of nuclear power?
- Radioactive waste needs to be carefully stored.
- Warm waste water can harm ecosystems
- Risk of radiation leaks
What are the economic impacts (+ and -) of wind farms?
- cost a lot to build
- unattractive so less people spending money in local economy
+ some wind farms attract tourists
+ can reduce local bills
What are the environmental impacts (+ and -) of wind farms?
- Don’t look nice
+ Reduced gas emissions
- Some noise pollution from the turbines
- Construction can harm the environment
