Resource Management Flashcards
(17 cards)
Resources
Something humans require for life or to make their life easier
Why are resources needed?
Food - malnourished > prevent work / education
Water - needs to be safe and clean / cooking
Energy - cooking / stay warm > basic standard of living + industry
Agribusiness
the large-scale, industrialized sector of agriculture that combines business practices with farming
Maximises food produced
Using machinery > increases efficiency
Only employs small number of workers
Chemicals damage wildlife + habitats
Organic Food Benefits
Reduces emissions
Supports locals farms
UK Food
Imports 40% - increases carbon footprint
More affordable from abroad
Importing Food from LICs Impacts
Supports workers / families with an income > taxes
Less land for locals to grow their own food
Farmers exposed to chemicals
Water Change in Consumption
Average water used per household has increased by 70% since 1985
Increased use of water - intensive appliances
Showers / baths used
Leisure
Transferred Water
Through pipes
Requires a lot of energy
Effects wildlife
High maintenance cost
More then half UK experience water stress
Water Pollution
Chemical run-off from farmland > destroys habitats / kills animals - strict laws limit discharge
Oil from boats and ships > poison wildlife
Sewerage containing bacteria > disease
Untreated waste from industry > unsafe drinking water
Education campaigns
Waste water treatment plants
Factors affecting energy security
Physical - natural disasters > damage energy infrastructure, climate variations > limit use of renewables, geology > fossil fuel availability
Political - stricter regulations over nuclear, conflict > effects exports
Technology - makes once difficult energy sources more reachable
Economic - price of fossil fuels > volatile, cost of extraction, costly infrastructure
Fracking
Used to extract natural gas trapped underground as shale rock
Ground water pollution
Non-renewable
64,000 jobs
UK has large shale gas reserves
Cheaper then natural gas
UK energy consumption
Consume less compared to 1970s > decline of industry
Energy Mix
Decreased consumption of coal
Majority are fossil fuels
Dependant on imports
75% oil and gas used up
Use of renewables increasing
Nuclear Energy
Provides job opportunities
Plants are expensive to build
Cheap to maintain
Long term dependable
Impacts of energy insecurity
Sensitive environments
Food production
UK renewables
Investing more in low carbon alternatives
Aims to meet targets for reducing emissions
Wind - locals have low energy bills, visually unappealing, noisy, high construction cost, weather dependant
UK Sustainability
Home design > roof insulation
Changing attitudes
Efficient Technology > hybrid engines
Transport > increased use of public buses and bikes
