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
