Unit 3. global resource consumption and security Flashcards
Biocapacity is
the land and water to provide resources for humanity
Ecological footprint -
the hypothetical area of land required by a society, a group or an individual to fulfill all their resource needs and assimilate all their waste. It is measured by global hectares (gha)
Energy security
access to clean, reliable and affordable energy sources for cooking, lighting, communications and productive uses
Food security
the “availability and access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.
Nexus
the interrelationship, interdependence and interactions between water, food, energy
Virtual (embedded) water
amount of water used in the production and transport to market of goods
Water security
continuing access to safe drinking water and sanitation
What is considered the middle class (globally)
Those, who earn at leasy 4$/day
Circular economy
The circular economy is an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing the use of resources by keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible,
Highest ecological footprint
In high income countries, Sweden, the US
Decreasing ecological footprint
in high income countries, Germany, Japan
The lowest ecological footprint
low income countries, Bhutan
Increasing ecological footprint
in low income countries
A country increases its ecological footprint by things like:
- Relying heavily on fossil fuels;
- Increasing its use of technology and, therefore, energy
- High levels of imported resources
- Large per capita production of carbon waste
- Large per capita consumption of foood
- Having a meat-rich diet1
A country can reduce its ecological footprint by:
- Reducing the amount of resources it uses
- Recycling resources
- Reusing resources
- Reducing the amount of polution it produces
- Transporting waste to other countries to deal with
- Reducing its population to reduce resource use
Where is water availability most likely to decrease?
In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Europe.
Trends that are increasing the pressure to manage water more efficiently:
- Population growth
- Growth of middle class
- Growth of tourism
- Urbanization
- Climate change
Reasons of energy insecurity rise
- Increased demand, especially from newly industrializing countries
- Terrorist activities
- Global warming and natural disasters SUCH AS HURRICANE KATRINA (2005)
- Geopolitical developments
Non-renewable energy
supplies include fossil fuels (such as coal, gas, oil)
Renewable energy
sources include solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, bbiomass and tidal schemes.
Advantages of fossil fuels
- Relatively cheap and plentiful
- Advanced technologies have been developed to allow safe extraction and the technology already exists for their use
- They can be delivered over long distances by pipeline.
Disadvantages of fossil fuels
- Contribution to climate change (build up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere)
- Unsustainability
Advantages of nuclear power
- Doesn’t emit carbon dioxide and doesn’t contribute to global warming
- The technology is readily available
- A large amount of electrical energy is generated in a single plamnt
- It is very efficient - 1kg of uranium contains 20 000 times more energy than 1kg of coal.
Disadvantages of nuclear power
- The radioactive waste from nuclear power stations is extremely dangerous and remains so for thoursands of years
- Probability of failure - impossible to make it risk-free
- Potential terrorist attack target
- Energy resource is uranium which is rare and non-renewable
- Takes a lot of time to build
Advantages of renewables
- They do not release pollutants such as greenhouse gases or chemicals that contribute to acid rain
- They will not run out
- Fewer greenhouse gas emissions
Disadvantages of renewables
- Fossil fuel resources are still economically cheaper
- The locations are limited by politics
Types of renewables
- Hydroelectric power
- Tidal power
- Solar energy
- Wind power
- Biofuel energy
- Wastes
Hydrocarbons
chemical compounds consisting of carbon and hydrogen, such as oil and natural gas
Green water
the rainfall that is sotred in the soil and evaporates from it
Blue water
renewable surface water runoff and groundwater recharge; the main source for human withdrawals and traditional focus of water resource management
Grey water
waste water that has been produced in homes and offices. It may come from sinks, showers, baths, dishwashers, but it does not contain fecal material
Nexus
the interrelationship, interdependence and interactions between water, food and energy. How changes in one sector impact the other two sectors.
Energy security
having access to sufficient, clean, reliable and affordable energy sources for cooling, heating, lighting, communication and productive uses
Food security
Having a sufficirnt amount of good-quality food
Water security
continuing access to safe drinking water and sanitation
How can climate change impact nexus?
For example in some places (Australia) the agricultural productivity is decreasing meanwhile in other (ig Lithuania could count in the future) it is increasing
Circular economy
a model of production and consumption, which involves: sharing, leasing, reuising, repairing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. this way the life cycle of products is extended
What is the aim of circular economy
TO make the of the material resources available to us by applying three basic principles: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Solid domestic waste
a waste type consisting of everyday items that are discarded by the public
Ways in dealing with solid domestic waste
Recycling, composting, landfill and incineration
Problems with incineration
Air pollution, toxic ash
Recycle
use in a different way
Reduce
use less resource to meet the need
Remove
eliminate demand altogether
Recover
Capture some value
Thomas Malthus theory
Main idea is that there was finite optimum population size IN RELATION to food supply and that any increase in population beyond this point would lead to a decline in the standard of living.
Esther Boserup’s theory of population
She says that when a need for food arises, someone will find a solution.
Emile Durkheim’s theory
An increase in population density would lead to a greater division of labour, which would allow greater productivity to be attained
Neo-Malthusian theory
Same as Malthus theory, but also that contraception would help with the control of population (Malthus itself was against contraception)
Optimum population
the number of people who, when working with all the available resources, will produce the highest per capita economic return. HIGHEST STANDARD OF LIVING AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
Overpopulation
occurs when there are too many people, relative to the resources and technology available, to maintain an adequate standard of living. (Bangladesh, Somalia)
Underpopulation
occurs when there are far more resources in an area that can be used by people living there. (Canada, Australia)
Four global commons (based on United nations Environment programme)
The high seas, Antarctica, The atmosphere, The outer space
What is SDG
Sustainable Development Goals
How many SDG’s are there?
17
