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