P2: Resource Management Flashcards
Basic Resources : Food, Water and Energy
Food - Not enough nutrients when you cant access safe food. malnourished and iron deficiencies and illness.
Water - people clean safe water resources and without sanitation they can get polluted. Water - borne diseases has a big impact on peoples lifestyles.
Energy - energy for industry and transport.
Global supply and consumption is unequal
HIC’s - consumption is greater due to higher standard of living and the supply is fit for the demand.
NEE’s - consumption increasing rapidly
LIC’s - consumption is lowest because it can not be afforded.
Changes in Food Demand UK
High value Foods - exotic fruits and vegetables, spices and coffee.
Seasonal Products - imported to meet demand all year around.
Organic Produce - people concerned on impacts and health. Organic food production is regulated.
Carbon Footprint Increasing UK
The growing, processing and packaging of food produces CO2. Transporting - food miles.
The amount of greenhouse gases produced is called carbon footprint.
Agribusiness - Farming becoming more industrialised UK
Agribusinesses - large scale, industrial farming controlled by large firms.
Farm sizes have increased
The amount of chemicals used increased
Greater use of machinery
Water Demand UK
North and West have highest rainfall- Water surplus
Southeast and Midlands have high population densities and demand - Water deficit
Water usage up by 70% since 1975 due to more appliances using water.
Water Pollution UK
Polluted or low quality puts pressure on amount available for use.
Problems :
- Nitrates and Phosphates from fertilisers washed off into rivers and groundwater.
- Pollutants from cars. Oil spills and chemicals washed in to rivers.
80% of water in southern England from groundwater.
Water Transfer
One solution to meet the demand is transporting water from areas of surplus - Wales to areas of deficit Birmingham.
Issues :
- dams and aqueducts are expensive to build
- affects wildlife in rivers
- political issues.
UK’s energy mix
1970 - majority coal and oil
2014 - majority oil and gas
Shift away from burning fossil fuels.
Wind and bio energy largest sources of renewable energy.
UK’s non renewable supplies running out
North sea oil and gas reserves slowing in production and resources being used up.
Coal production decreased due to less demand.
Shale gas extracted through fracking.
Energy resource exploitation issues
Economic:
- expensive to produce and purchase
- costs of renewable is high
- money for research and investment
- not enough domestic energy to meet demand
- pay to import energy
Environmental:
- Burning fossil fuels releasing greenhouse gases
- Fracking pollutes groundwater
- oil spills release toxic chemicals into water sources
- ecosystems damaged - windfarms eyesores.
