Unit 3 - Global Resource Consumption And Security Flashcards
Poverty line definition
Governments use the poverty line to define the minimum level of income required to secure the necessities of life varies widely in different countries. Different for different countries
Factors that have helped decline worldwide poverty (5)
- globalization: free international trade, workers, money, products are more efficient and goods available internationally
- improved heath
- more access to education
- better infrastructure
- increased use of appropriate technology
Renewable resource
Regenerated in nature faster than exploited
Biocapacity
Ecosystem’s capacity to produce resources + absorb waste
Ecological footprint
Biocapacity (ecosystem’s capacity to produce resources + absorb waste) per person
Which components of biocapacity do the ecological footprint comprise of?
- carbon footprint (measures CO2 produced by using fossil fuels in transport…)
- croplands
- grazing lands
- forests
- the oceans
- built-up land
Is the Earth’s total ecological footprint per capita sustainable?
No. Has a biocapacity deficit. Overexploitation. Not sustainable!
Shortcomings of the ecological footprint? (4)
- unreliable statistics (esp LIC)
- no universal method to collect info
- only CO2 is considered a GHG
- consumption of freshwater not considered
Why is there an uneven distribution of water globally?
Population growth, precipitation levels constant, therefore less water available per person.
What are the 3 uses of water in order of most to least?
Agriculture (irrigation, livestock raising) > manufacturing industries > Urban/domestic use
Embedded water
Quality of water used in the entire process of producing, selling, and consuming a product.
Physical water scarcity
Natural water resources in an area cannot meet the needs of the people living there (usually in sparsely populated, arid areas)
Economic water scarcity
When poor management of the water resources in an area, such as an under-investment in water storage and distribution systems, causes the demand for water the exceed the amount available. (In LIC with less funding in infrastructure)
How is the amount of land devoted to agriculture changing in LIC vs HIC?
In LIC, agriculture is expanding as farming is important in their economies.
In HIC, agriculture is shrinking with technological changes (mechanization to increase productivity)
Reasons for increased farm productivity world-wide (5)
- Technological changes (mechanization)
- Pesticides and fertilizers
- Larger farm sizes (consolidation of smaller properties)
- Increasing commercialization
- Improved spatial integration, more roads and accessible transportation
What are the consequences of a dietary convergence or homogenization (to more Western)?
More diet-related diseases, humans in general are more vulnerable to climate change related threats such as drought, disease, pests.
Why are emerging MIC adopting Western diets? (4)
- rising income gives access to energy dense foods
- Western diets seen as more modern and fashionable
- Trade links bt countries (TNC)
- Raising farm productivity makes some food more affordable
Renewable energy (compared to fossil fuels, changing in how we consume energy)
Low pollution alternative to fossil fuels, reduced reliance on imported energy
Which non-renewable energies are used in which regions of the world (Asia-Pacific, Africa and NA SA, Middle East Europe Eurasia)
Coal: Asia-Pacific
Oil: Africa, NA, SA
Natural gas: Middle East, Europe, Eurasia
What is the distribution of oil around the world? (Large production and consumption)
Middle East, Brunei, Kuwait have small populations with large reserves of petroleum. Thus, lots of money. Japan and France are large buyers (make money through manufacturing, then buy oil)
Peak oil definition
The point in time when the maximum rate of local petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline
What are the pros of nuclear power plants (using nuclear fission)? (3)
- no GHG emissions
- Uranium is cheap
- can last more than 200 years with the current rate of consumption.
Controversies/cons surrounding nuclear power plants (3)
- radioactive wastes (accidents, leakages)
- high upfront cost
- stolen to create weapons or sold to terrorist organizations
How can we use biomass and where is it a significant energy source? (2)
- burning fuelwood
- highly significant in LIC
- can burn human sewage for fertilizer and fuel.
Pros of hydroelectricity (1)
-low cost to obtain power
Environmental concerns with hydroelectricity (4)
- drowns river valleys
- heavy water causes earthquakes
- sedimentation build up causes erosion
- destroys vegetation and animal habitats.
Cons of wind power (2)
- loud noises deter wildlife
- ruin scenic beauty
Cons of using solar power (1)
- not available during times when most needed (night and cold, wet days)
What are the relationships between the water-food-energy nexus?
Water-food
Water needed to grow food, water used in food transports (virtual water)
Food-energy
Energy used to produce food, food used to produce energy (biomass)
Water-energy
Energy needed to supply water, water needed to generate energy
security definition
Availability and reliability of ________ (water/energy/food)
Why is there an increasing demand for resources?
Increase in the world population, with increasing affluent global middle class.
How do big countries (like China and South Korea) offset their lack of food security due to large population and less land? How is this problematic?
Invest in farmland in low-income countries, then export food. Deprives the host country of food supplies (increasing their food insecurity) and increases water insecurity by exporting embedded water.
How does climate change affect the water-food-energy nexus? (3, one for each aspect)
- More droughts —> water insecurity
- More intense rainfall, extreme weather —> food insecurity
- Renewable energy is impacted by changing patterns of precipitation
How do the rising temperatures in Albania affect the food security?
Farming productivity decreases, rain-fed crops fail.
Why did GHG emissions in Albania decrease after the fall of the Soviet Union?
Closed inefficient, uncompetitive power plants and factories. Encourage better farm management systems
How is Albania fit to deal with climate change (less vulnerability)
- strong administrative and political institutions
- foreign investment
- national plan to address threats of climate change (with reference to WFE nexus)
What are the impacts of climate change (increasing temp) on Kyrgyzstan?
- impact on basic food crops (wheat, barely, sugar beet, maize) bc no irrigation (irrigation system disintegrated through lack of maintenance after fall of Soviet)
Why is Kyrgyzstan vulnerable to climate change? Specifically what is wrong with it’s government.
Poor country, political institutions poorly equipped to deal with climate change.
Recycling definition and how is it often used in rural areas
Process of converting waste into useable material (common in rural areas where food scraps turn into livestock feed which turns into fertilizer - subsistence farmers)
Why are there more electronic wastes in the world? (3)
- growing global middle class
- cheaper electronics, more accessible and affordable for low income
- companies encourage consumers to discard older appliances for new ones
Why does Agbogbloshie in Ghana exist (HIC waste go to LIC) and what do they do there?
Recycle e-waste because it is difficult to recycle near HIC due to environmental regulations. They burn cables, plastic to extract precious metals. Can be sold or thrown into landfills.
How can we reduce e-waste? Strategies by companies.
- Take-back systems where apple takes back old phones, robots disassemble and sort items, then sells materials
Hard conservation definition
Completely prohibiting any adverse human impact (ex. Protecting endangered animals and fragile ecosystems)
Soft conservation definition
Allows resources to be used but insists on NO WASTE (ex. Fishing quotas, must return all female fish)
What are pros of a circular economy? (2)
- restores and regenerates
- maximizes value and efficiency
What are pessimistic views towards population and resource consumption trends?
neo-Malthusian views: non-renewable resources are finite and therefore exhaustible. Population growth needs to be controlled or else pressure on scarce resource will cause widespread deaths through famine, disease, war.
What are optimistic views towards population and resource consumption trends?
Esther Boserup: more people mean more food because people are productive resources. (Every consumer is a producer)
- with more population, farmers feel pressure to improve productivity, be more inventive. (Scarcity drives innovation)
Stewardship definition (like resource stewardship)
Ethical principle that views managing resources as a responsibility undertaken as a privilege on behalf of others. Resources are managed with the needs of the wider community in mind, taking into account resource availability for future generations. Sustainability!
How can we design items to encourage sustainability and reusability?
Design items to be disassembled at the end of their product life, can be reused or repurposed. Extends resource lif.
What 3 aspects are the circular economy based on? Like what is the goal/aim for the future (ideal)?
- waste no longer exists, everything is reused, redistributed, refurbished, or remanufactured.
- consumable and durable components of products separations (biological things can be returned to biosphere) durable resources can be recycled.
- Infinitely renewable energy used (more resilient system, less dependence on fragile finite resources)
How do the SDG’s help make the world a more sustainable place (together?)
More integrated and holistic system (systems thinking, circular economy, considers everything)
Name 3 SDGs.
End poverty, end hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economics, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, peace justice and strong institutions…..
Why do HIC need to help LIC to achieve SDG
LIC lack financials and organization, require support from HIC.
