UK Challenge 1

Question 1

Changes in the UK’s population in the next 50
years

Answer 1

UK’s population is slowly increasing unlike other developed countries > partially due to high migration so Brexit would cause population to growth to decrease

Question 2

UK’s Population Growth Statistics

Answer 2

From 1970s to 2010 population has grown by 64m and is emitted to grow another 8m by 2100

Question 3

UK’s population growth - Implications on resource
consumption

Answer 3

Increase demand for resources particularly in terms of housing, energy, water and transport. More fossil fuels will also be needed for demand in energy, whilst most of land will be required for housing and services like hospitals etc.

Question 4

Pressures of growing populations on the UK’s
ecosystems

Answer 4

1. New houses are also likely to be built on floodplains, so overall there will be an increased risk of flooding.
2. An increase in transport will lead to an increase in emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. This will contribute to global climate change, which threatens to make the south of the UK drier and more prone to drought in the future.
3. More food production will be needed, increasing the amount of land used for agriculture. More efficient large scale agribusinesses may be developed, with more efficient (larger) fields, removing hedgerows, which are important ecosystems for nesting birds, small mammals and insects

Question 5

Range of national sustainable transport
options for the UK (Congestion Tax)

Answer 5

Description : A charge was introduced in London in 2003 for drivers coming in to the centre of town in private cars.
Explanation : Air pollution kills 9500 each year; by encouraging people to save money by using public transport it lowers harmful emissions.

Question 6

Range of national sustainable transport
options for the UK (Park and Ride)

Answer 6

Description : Large car parks built around the edge of town and buses that transport people to the centre.
Explanation : Reduces congestion in the middle of town, making journeys faster, more efficient and therefore produce less carbon dioxide (limiting climate change).

Question 7

Range of national sustainable transport
options for the UK (Car Sharing)

Answer 7

Description : Many local authorities run car sharing schemes, where people are encouraged to give others a lift to / from work.
Explanation : This reduces the number of empty seats in cars, meaning there should be less vehicles on the road for the same number of people. This reduces carbon emissions per person and also tackles congestion.