Resource Management Flashcards
What is a resource?
A stock or supply of something that has a value or purpose
How is the demand for food in the UK changing?
How do we cope with this?
It is increasing as the population increases.
We have to import 40% of our food
Why does the UK import food?
- Demand for greater choice + exotic foods
- Demand for seasonal produce all year
- UK climate unsuitable for growing some foods
- Availability of cheaper food from abroad
- UK produced food is expensive from poor harvests
What are the impacts of importing food to the UK?
The distance food has travelled is food miles. Imported food = higher food miles = higher carbon footprint. It is also expensive
What are the two major trends in UK farming? Give examples
- Agribusiness - commercial farming, maximising yield, lots of technology + chemicals e.g Lynford House Farm
- Organic farms - grown without chemicals, more labour = more expensive, local produce producing seasonal foods e.g Riverford Organic Farms
How is demand for energy changing in the UK?
How is the UK’s energy mix changing?
Increasing demand for energy but decreasing energy consumption due to energy conservation (better efficiency, insulation, low-fuel appliances etc)
Moving from fossil fuels towards renewables
How much of the UK’s energy is imported?
75% of the UK’s oil and 75% of the UK’s energy, affecting energy security
Why are fossil fuels still important in the UK?
Remaining reserves of fuel will last several decades
Coal is cheap
Existing power stations use fossil fuels
Shale gas deposits will be exploited
What is fracking?
What are the concerns?
Extracting gas from shale rocks using high-pressure liquid
Possible earthquakes, pollution of groundwater, high costs of extraction
What are the impacts of exploiting nuclear energy?
- Expensive to build plants, run them and decommission
- Provides jobs
- Storing waste is a problem (waste harms ecosystems)
- Risk of radioactive leaks / meltdowns
What are the impacts of exploiting wind energy?
- Noise / visual pollution BUT zero emissions
- High construction costs BUT can become tourist attractions
- Locals get lower energy bills
How and why is the demand for water changing in the UK?
Demand is increasing because:
- population growing
- more houses built so more appliances to cater for
- increased use of water-intensive domestic appliances
Describe the distribution of water across the UK
North and west have water surplus (high rainfall, low population density)
South and east have water deficit (low rainfall, high population density)
Water stress is experienced in over half of the UK
How can we save water in the UK?
Use domestic water meters
Increase use of recycled / greywater
More efficient domestic appliances
How do we manage water quality in the UK?
- Filter water to remove sediment
- Purify water by adding chlorine
- Manage river water quality
- Restrict recreational use
What is Kielder Water?
A water transfer scheme. A reservoir (UK’s biggest) in the Pennines where water collects. Water released into river Tyne to transport to Newcastle and Middlesborough
What are the advantages of the Kielder Water transfer?
HEP produced in the dam
Reduced water insecurity in the north east
Tourism (water sports and good scenery) = jobs = income
What are the disadvantages of the Kielder Water transfer?
Breeding patterns of fish disrupted in the dam
Families moved from homes to make way for the reservoir
Farmland and habitats lost from flooding
How is the global demand of water changing?
Why?
Increasing
- Rising population = more water needed to drink, more needed to grow food
- Economic development = more industrialism, more energy production, rising living standards means more appliances
What is water security?
What is water stress?
Having a reliable, sustainable source of good quality water, enough to meet everyone’s needs. Also depends on people’s access to the supply
Demand exceeding supply for a period of time
How is water distributed globally?
Unevenly. Some countries have high water security (e.g Canada), some countries have water insecurity (e.g India), some countries have water stress
What physical factors affect water security?
- Climate (rainfall fills lakes + rivers, high temperatures mean evaporation)
- Geology (rain falling on impermeable rocks flows to rivers = easy access, rain falling on permeable rocks forms aquifers = hard to get to)
What economic and social factors affect water insecurity?
- Over-abstraction (water used more than it’s replaced)
- Pollution (reduces quality of water, risk of disease)
- Infrastructure (lack of water pipes = lack of access)
- Poverty (people can’t afford to pay for water)
What are the impacts of water insecurity?
- Disease (pollution/sewage in water supply)
- Food production reduced (less water for irrigation)
- Industry reduced (less production = less profit)
- Conflict (some countries affect others’ water supplies, e.g polluting a river)
