UK food, water, energy Flashcards
why is demand for food increasing
as population grows, there are more mouths to feed- demand for more food
as wealth increases, there’s a higher demand for a range of ingredients and high quality produce
increased demand from LIC’s as imports from LIC’s are cheaper- cheaper cost of production
positives of importing food from LICs
-cheaper cost due to lower labour wages and cheaper cost of production
-can get unseasonal produce- range of ingredients
-job creation- multiplier effect
negatives of importing food from LIC’s
-increased food miles- increased carbon footprint, more CO2 emissions
-workers have less land and water to grow own food
-poor working conditions, low wages- no protection against pesticides, causes health issues e.g cancer
how much of UK’s fruit is imported and why
89%
UK climate does not promote exotic crop growth
little sun, lack of humid climate
what are food miles
the distance food is transported from producer to consumer
what is a carbon footprint
a measure of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere due to the activities of an individual or community.
how does increasing demand for imports affect food miles/ carbon footprint
as demand increases, imports increase
more planes import products
:) planes are quick
:) can transport large amount of produce
:( planes release CO2- increases CO2 in atmosphere, increased carbon footprint= enhanced greenhouse, global warming
how can you locally source food to reduce food miles
grow own food- veg and fruit patches in gardens
farmers markets- reduces imports from abroad, supports local farmers
buy seasonal produce- e.g only buy strawberries in summer where yield is greatest
positives of organic produce
no pesticides- does not affect other animals, no health issues, no pollution of rivers
natural fertilisers E.g compost- has minerals which promotes crop growth, no synthetic chemicals
natural predators E.g ladybugs
negatives of organic produce
natural predators don’t kill the whole population of pests- more pests means smaller yield
natural fertilisers take longer- slower crop growth
what is agribusiness
turning farms into businesses
application of business skills to agriculture
positives of agribusiness
food security- larger crop yield
cheaper food prices due to a larger crop yield
expand farms- more land- more crops
advanced technology
fertilisers- promote plant growth
negatives of agribusiness
forces small-scale farmers out
pesticides- pollute rivers, chemicals affect animal species
fertilisers- runoff- eutrophication
how has demand for water increased in UK
Increased by 70% since 1985
As wealth increases, demand increases:
-more showers/baths
-water intensive machines E.g dishwashers
-water in greenhouses to grow unseasonal produce
what is water deficit
low supply of water
E.g south east UK, london
little precipitation, high population- demand for water is greater than supply
what is water surplus
high supply of water
E.g West Wales
high precipitation, low population- supply is greater than demand
define water stress
when water availability does not meet the needs of people or is of low quality
what is a water transfer scheme
transferring water using pipes from an area of water surplus to an area of water deficit
E.g west wales to London
positives of water transfer scheme
less restrictions in water scarce areas
construction of dams creates jobs- multiplier effect
dams- recreational activities, tourists increase, increased income
reservoirs- new aquatic habitats
negatives of water transfer scheme
dams flood natural habitats
disrupts fish migration
expensive to build
dams displace locals
causes of water pollution
oil leaks
runoff from pesticides and fertilisers
sewage
how do pesticides cause water pollution
poisons rivers
harms aquatic life, fish- people become sick due to eating poisoned fish
less fish- less income to fishermen
how do fertilisers cause water pollution
heavy rainfall causes runoff
fertilisers contain nitrates- promotes plant growth, soluble in water
eutrophication- algal bloom, plants die as there is no sun reaching them,
decomposers respire and lower oxygen content- fish die
management strategies to prevent water pollution
education campaigns- encourage people to conserve water, not throw rubbish into rivers
eco-friendly features on machines- saves water
pollution traps- catch waste
limit use of pesticides and fertilisers- reduces runoff
how has demand for energy increased in UK
as wealth increases, demand increases
higher demand for fuel for cars, electricity for homes,
as population increases, demand increases- more people need more energy
positives of fossil fuels
:) relatively cheap
:) job creation in power plants
:) produces lots of energy
negatives of fossil fuels
:( release CO2- increased carbon emissions- global warming
:( non-renewable
:( release sulfur dioxides- react with water to form acid rain
positives of nuclear energy
:) no fossil fuels
:) no CO2 emissions
:) job creation
:) reliable
negatives of nuclear energy
:( radioactive waste- hard, expensive to clean, damages ecosystems
:( expensive
positives of renewables (wind)
:) no carbon emissions
:) renewable, sustainable
:) no fossil fuels
negatives of renewables
expensive
solar- unreliable, only works with light
wind- danger to birds, noise pollution, ruins views, decline in tourism
management strategies to conserve energy
encourage renewables
raise energy prices so people use less (some people cannot afford)
put a fee on heavy polluting vehicles
low energy features on machines
what is fracking
extracting natural gas, oil, geothermal energy from the earth
positives of fracking
:) low energy prices
:) less carbon emissions
:) no fossil fuels
:) domestic source- reduces imports
negatives of fracking
:( earthquakes
:( releases methane- enhanced greenhouse effect
:( pollutes groundwater
coal imports
coal is imported to UK
it is deep in mines underground- hard to access
increased coal imports- increased carbon footprint- enhanced greenhouse effect
