Challenge of Resource Management

Importance of Food

Food generates energy in the form of calories- which is needed to live and to do work. Not enough calories could cause malnourishment and would affect workers ability to work.

Importance of water

Water is essential for people and animals to drink and is vital for crops and food supply. It also important as a source of providing energy, HEP.

Importance of Energy

It is required for economic development and it powers factories and machinery- which creates jobs for many people. Energy is vital for cooking, lighting and heating.

Global inequalities in Supply and Consumption

HIC’s → They can afford the imports of resources and have food, water surplus but the distribution of wealth is worse

LIC’s → They have a lot of natural resources, but have unreliable food and water and lack the money for the import of resources

NEE’s → Demand for resources is higher and are able to afford to import resources

Growing demand for high value food exports from LIC’s

It is cheaper to grow food in LIC’s. LICS’s benefit from the wages in farming, packing in and transport. They have less land for locals to grow their own food and increased pressure on water supplies.

The all-year demand for seasonal-food and organic produce

Some foods can’t be grown in the UK’s climate and the UK now demands greater choice in foods all year round and must be imported from other countries.

Organic produce uses natural fertilisers and animals are not fed drugs and has a positive impact on the environment. Organic produce is more expensive because yields tend to be lower

Carbon footprint in the UK

The increase in food imports into the UK has increased the carbon footprint because the food miles are a longer distance. In the UK, food travels around 30 billion km before consumed. Campaigns ‘Buy British’ encourages people to buy food that is locally produced to reduce the food miles- which reduces the carbon footprint

Agribusiness

Agribusiness is the application of business skills to agriculture, where farms are treated like industrial businesses.

+It maximises crop yield, profit and the food cheaper and has a longer shelf life.

-It uses chemicals, lots of machines and causes job losses. Negative impact on the environment

Changing in water demand

Agriculture: Water is vital in agriculture for irrigation. Demand for earlier seasonal food also means that crops require extra watering.

Industry: Most water extracted directly from freshwater sources is used for energy production and for manufacturing

Domestic Use: More people can afford appliances that use a lot water like washing machines and dishwashers

Water quality and pollution management

Water treatment plants filter polluted or poor quality water. The water is treated to kill harmful bacteria and make it safe to drink

Legislation in the UK means strict laws limit the amount and type of discharge factories and farms can put into rivers

Education campaigns to teach people about the damage caused by littering rivers.

Water deficit and water surplus

Water deficit- The demand for water is higher than the supply

Water surplus- The demand for water is lower than the supply

Water supply and demand

Mid Wales is sparsely populated but it has high amounts of rainfall so its has a water surplus.

South-east England is densely populated but experiences little rainfall so it has a water deficit

Water transfer

Water is being transported from areas of surplus to areas of deficit so regions with a high demand have water for people, industry and agriculture

The change in energy mix

Fossil fuels reserves are declining and efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy sources are increasing because they don’t contribute to climate change.

How has supplies of coal, gas and oil reduced in the UK

The supplies have reduced because the reserves that the UK had in the North Sea are running out, forcing the UK to look at alternative energy resources

Economic issues associated with exploitation of energy issues

The initial set up of renewable energy resources and nuclear energy are very expensive. Fossil fuels will become more expensive as they will get harder to extract.

Economic issues associated with exploitation of energy issues

Fracking for shale gas can cause pollution and small earthquakes. Burning fossil fuels, contributes to the greenhouse effect. HEP dams can cause flooding of ecosystems.

The global distribution of energy consumption and supply

HIC’s → They are high energy consumers because most people have access to affordable energy

LIC’s → They are low energy producers but they have a few resources but can’t afford to exploit them

NEE’s → Energy consumption is increasing as industries develop

Why is economic consumption increasing

Technology: Technological development has led to increased demand for products that require energy

Rising population: The rise in population means that there will be a higher demand for energy as they would need it for heating, cooking and lighting.

Economic development: NEE’s continue to develop so their demand for energy would increase. HIC’S require more energy for technology, manufacturing and transport.

What are the impacts of energy insecurity

Energy insecurity is when a country doesn’t have a reliable supply of energy to meet their needs

Food production: Energy insecurity can reduce food production as it depends on high energy inputs such as manufacturing.

Industrial output: Energy insecurity has devastating impacts on industrial production leading to higher prices. The competition with other countries may lead to industrial closures and job losses.

Renewable Strategies to increase energy supply

• Biomass- organic materials such as animal waste, wood or crops are burned for energy. It is affordable and renewable. Burning biomass releases carbon dioxide.

• Wind- wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in wind to power electric generators. Wind power produces no greenhouse gases. They create noise pollution

• Hydro- HEP dams used to trap and control water, as the water is released kinetic energy is used to turn electric turbines. HEP produces energy cheaply. Dams being built can destroy habitats.

• Tidal- currents are used to turn turbines and create electricity. Tides are guaranteed and predictable. Energy cannot be produced all day

• Geothermal- Heat from within the Earth to generate electricity. It is a cheap energy source. Power can only be harnessed from tectonically active areas.

• Wave- Electricity is generated when waves turn turbines in the sea. Produces no greenhouse gases. It is expensive to set up.

• Solar- Solar panels are used to convert sunlight into electricity. Low running costs . It is dependent on if there is sunlight or not

Non- renewable strategies to increase energy supply

Nuclear power:

• Used uranium rods can be re-used to make most of nuclear power

• Nuclear waste is very dangerous and be stored safely for thousand of years

Fossil Fuels:

• Fracking to reach shale gas

• Fossil fuels can be mined near to the ground surface

Extraction of fossil fuels - fracking

Fracking is extracting oil and natural gas trapped in shale rock underground

+ :

• It creates jobs

• Gas obtained from fracking is cheaper than the natural gas that the UK imports

• Shale gas releases less carbon dioxide when burnt than other fossil fuels

- :

• It can cause ground water pollution due to the toxic chemical used

• It can trigger minor earthquakes. In 2011, Blackpool suffered from two small earthquakes due to fracking

• Causes noise pollution

Sustainable energy supplies

Individual Energy use and Carbon footprints: Reducing carbon footprint by eating local, seasonal foods or cycling to work instead of using a car.

Energy conservation: Double glazed windows and insulated roofs to help contain heat within buildings and reduce energy wastage. Installing solar panels and wind turbines

Transport: Using public transport instead of private cars. Switching to small, efficient electric cars

Efficient technology: New technology increases the efficiency of machinery and engines so that they require less energy

Brazil NEE renewable energy scheme

Belo Monte Dam provides a sustainable energy supply. The hydroelectric dam produces renewable energy using the river water, which helps the environment as it produces low emissions and reduces the reliance of fossil fuels. Hydro electric power is sustainable because it’s powered by water which is an infinite resource and doesn’t contribute to climate change