Section C: The Challenge of Resource Management

all from megabook

1.1: Can you explain how food, water and energy are important to economic (money) and social (people) well-being?

• NHS: Daily calorie intake depends on age, metabolism, and levels of physical activity, + others. 2,000 a day, women - 2,500 men

• Calories measure how much energy food has - Growing kids and teens may need more, height and weight affect how quickly you use energy

• NHS: 6-8 cups of fluid a day (Water, lower-fat milk, sugar-free drinks)

• Most scientists agree humans can go few days without water. On average, makes up 60-70% of body, depending on age

• Lose through urine, sweat, faeces, breath = replace by drinking/eating (1/3 consumed water is from food) or else dehydrated

• Energy resources for electricity, cooking, heating, hot water and transport. Crucial for society e.g street lights, public transport, industry, workplaces

1.1: Definition of economic wellbeing and social wellbeing

• Economic wellbeing - enough money for basic needs. Without secure supply of food/water, humans wouldn’t have energy, health to work or economic security

• Social wellbeing - living day-to-day with sufficient food/water, and other aspects like connection with friends

1.2: Can you explain some examples of global inequalities in the supply and consumption of resources?

• Crude oil supply

• Oil consumption

• Crude oil supply - Some countries have larger stocks. 2018, 13 OPEC countries made up estimated 44% of global oil production and 81.5% of world's 'proven' oil reserves

• Oil consumption dominated by: Asia Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, North America, Middle East. Oil trade/movements are mainly within these regions. Africa consumes the least

1.2: Can you explain some examples of global inequalities in the supply and consumption of resources?

• EOD

• 'Earth Overshoot Day' website - says humanity is using the resources of 1.8 Earths. EOD marks the date when humanity's demand for ecological resources/services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. 2022, was July 28.

• Individuals have power to better their homes/communities. Greatest large-scale impact lies with govs and businesses who align their policies and strategies with the reality of our finite planet.

• Several ways to tackle the resource overshoot, e.g reducing vehicle emissions, LED light bulbs, holidays closer to home, recycling clothes, eating less meat, using more renewable energy

1.2: Crude oil, OPEC, BP and finite definition

• Crude oil - fossil fuel used to make petrol, diesel and jet fuel

• OPEC - Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Group of the 13 leading oil producers, founded 1960. Has a major influence on global oil prices

• BP - British multinational oil and gas company, headquarters in London

• Finite - something which will one day run out

2.1: Can you explain the growing demand in the UK for food exports from low income countries?

• 67 mill rising pop = many to provide food for

• Imports most fruit it consumes, half the veg from 100+ countries - possible due to network of container ship ports dotted around coastline (London Gateway Port, Thames Estuary)

• Cant grow all fruit/ veg we want = Refrigerated containers (reefers) transport it in perfect condition

• Sweetcorn from Senegal, pineapples from Costa Rica, kiwi from Chile

• 80%+ of tomatoes imported from Europe (Netherlands)

2.1: Can you explain the growing demand in the UK for food exports from LICs?

• 2 e.g

• Recently one of most popular fruits in UK; growing interest in healthy eating, A-list following, major food trend. Import 1.5+ mill each day from USA, S.Africa, Israel, and Peru as we can’t grow in UK climate

• Peru, S.America, UK is key customer. 1+ mill avocado trees. 3 weeks for them to reach UK by sea.

• UK market for bananas is one of biggest in Europe. UK-based charity BananaLink reports that bananas in British supermarkets are from Latin America (Ecuador) and Caribbean (St Lucia)

2.2: Why is there all-year demand for seasonal food? Seasonal food def?

• Seasonal food - buying food around time it’s harvested. E.g main apple harvesting time in UK is Sep-Oct.

• All-year demand for seasonal food, as many expect to have a full range of fruit/veg in supermarkets at any time

• Many want to buy foods that can’t be grown in UK's climate (cocoa, tea, kiwi)

2.3: What is organic farming, and why is there a demand for organic food?

• Organic farming - producing food without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, fertilizers of organic origin like animal/plant wastes are used

• Organic farming reduces risk of local habitats and rivers pollution with harmful chemicals

• Demand for organic food as many say there’s health benefits to eating food without chemicals

2.4: What are 'food miles' and how does this link to the discussion around carbon footprints?

• Food miles - how far food has been transported to where it is sold. Rice travels 7500km from India

• Carbon footprint - person's contribution to enhanced greenhouse effect, where greenhouse gases in atmosphere trap heat like a blanket, making Earth warmer

• Carbon footprint’s main 3 areas: Food, home, transport

2.5: Why do some people prefer to buy local food?

• Likely to have lower carbon footprint - food from UK or in local area = individual has lower footprint, and 'do their bit' to slow global warming

• One way to buy local food is farmer's market. E.g. Ruislip, Duck Pond Market held on Sundays at Manor Farm

2.6: What does 'agribusiness' mean?

• Large-scale intensive farming, uses modern tech and chemicals to produce maximum amount of food possible from a piece of land

• Designed to lower food prices and reduce UK's reliance on food imports

• E.g. Elveden Farm, Norfolk. Mcdonald’s veg, 6% of UK’s onions grown

3.1: Can you explain why demand for water is increasing in the UK ?

• UK's 67 mill is rising pop = More people = more water demand

• Average person uses 150L/day

• More houses and flats are built, connected to water network

• More domestic appliances used = use lots of water, like power showers and pressure washers

3.2: Can you explain where tap water comes from in the UK and how it's made suitable for drinking?

• Fresh water comes from rivers and aquifers. Stored until needed in a reservoir

• Before reaching our homes, it’s treated and cleaned at water treatment plant, e.g run by Thames Water

• Water companies filter water to remove sediment, chlorine added to purify the water of bacteria

3.2: Definition of Aquifer and Reservouir

• Aquifer - water-bearing rock under ground from which we can extract water

• Reservoir - artificial lake made to store water. E.g Brent Reservoir near Wembley

3.2: Can you explain how the Environment Agency manages water quality and water pollution in the UK?

• Gov-run Environment Agency is responsible for managing water quality in UK

• High-tech labs check quality of drinking water

• EA also checks river and groundwater for pollution, e.g from agricultural fertilisers

3.4: What is meant by the terms 'water deficit' and 'water surplus'?

• Water deficit - demand for water is greater than supply

• Water surplus - supply of water is greater than demand

3.5: Which areas of the UK have a water deficit and which parts have a water surplus?

• South and east: water deficit - Rainfall is lower, population density higher = demand is greater

• North and west: water surplus - Rainfall is higher, population density less = demand is lower

3.6: Water transfer and Aqueduct Definition

• Water transfer - Transporting water, via a pipe or channel, from area of surplus to deficit area.

• Aqueduct - artificial channel for conveying water, sometimes in form of a bridge across a valley.

3.6: Can you explain how water transfer schemes could help to deal with water deficit areas in the UK?

• Water transferred by pipes and/or aqueducts across large distances.

• E.g 19th Century reservoir was made, Thirlmere in Lake District, North West

• Small natural lake dammed. Reservoir provided water for growing industrial city of Manchester via 96 mile-long Thirlmere Aqueduct

• UK projects are smaller scale between reservoirs and large centres of pop. up to 100 miles away - no national network of water transfers

• Most rain in north/west, crowded areas (south/east) are drier = surplus in north/west could be used to reduce water shortages in south/east

• Possible plan to transfer water from Kielder Water reservoir (far north), to London

3.6: Why have many water transfer plans been rejected?

• Biodiversity threatened by building large new waterways

• Locals on planned route are often NIMBYs (Not in my back yard)

• Economic costs very high

• Greenhouse gases released by energy needed to pump water over long distances

3.7: Why are there are plans to build more reservoirs in the I-JK?

• In 25 years England won’t have enough water to meet demand, head of Environment Agency warned, 2019

• Climate change + population growth = country is facing an "existential threat", said Sir James Bevan

• Many argue extra reservoirs are unnecessary if we use less water. Sir James is calling on people to cut usage to 100L/day, not 150 - target set by Waterwise, which campaigns for water efficiency

• Often see plans for new water storage reservoirs. E.g proposals for new reservoir near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

• Oxfordshire County Council said proposed £1.2bn project was "a destructive scheme, both environmentally and in its impacts on local people"

• Thames Water previously said "lots" of people support the plans

4.1, 4.2: Energy mix, Thermal power station, National Grid, Electricity supply and Total energy supply, Electricity imports - Definition

• Energy mix - range of energy sources a country uses. Often shown pie chart, % of country's supply from each source

• Thermal power station - uses steam to drive turbines. Fossil fuels usually burnt to heat water to create steam

• National Grid - UK company manages electricity network (electricity can’t be stored so demand and supply must run in unison), and also the gas distribution network.

• Electricity supply - electricity for homes and businesses

• Total energy supply - electricity + energy for other areas (transport, cooking and heating). All can be powered by renewable or non-renewable fossil fuel sources.

• Electricity Imports - electricity from abroad, e.g nuclear power stations, France

4.3: To what extent does the UK rely on fossil fuels for its electricity generation?

• Broad energy mix to generate electricity: 2019 - Gas 41%, Renewables 24% (wind most significant), Nuclear 18%.

• National Grid said in last decade, coal 30 to 3%, wind 1 to 19%

• 2019, first time since IR, Britain obtaining more electricity from zero-carbon sources than fossil fuels

• 2019 - National Grid said clean energy nudged ahead (48%), against 47% coal/gas. Other 5% is biomass burning

• Transformation reflects decline of coal, and boom from wind/solar

• 2022 - UK relies on fossil fuel electricity to medium extent (41%)

4.4: Are renewable sources increasingly important in the UK's electricity generation?

• Renewables - increasingly important, 24% UK's electricity, and of those wind is most important, 19% in 2019 UK

• World leader in offshore wind - more capacity than any other country. Powers equivalent of 4.5 mill homes annually

• Cost of offshore wind fallen by 50% since 2015 and now one of lowest-cost options for new power in UK - cheaper than gas and nuclear power

• World's largest offshore wind farm, 55 miles off coast of Yorkshire

  • Hornsea 2 project, generates enough electricity to power 1.3 mill homes - enough for city the size of Manchester

4.4: Is nuclear energy renewable?

• Nuclear energy - electricity from splitting atoms of a fuel like uranium. Creates heat, which is used to tum water into steam to drive turbines

• 2019 - 18% of UK's electricity.

• Regarding emissions, it’s considered to be clean. Produces zero C emissions

• Nuclear fuels, like uranium, are not renewable as they are finite material mined from ground and can only be found in certain locations

• However, nuclear waste is recyclable. Once reactor fuel (uranium) is used in a reactor, it can be treated and put into another reactor as fuel.

4.5: What is happening with the UK's stocks of fossil fuels? (coal, oil and gas).

• Oil and gas extracted in North Sea on large scale since 60s - supplies will last for 20 years, but after it's uncertain

• UK meets 48% of gas demand from domestic supplies = gas must be imported from Norway and Qatar

• Energy companies drill for oil under North Sea, but to meet UK demand oil must be imported from OPEC

• Coal mining and imports declined significantly as burning coal creates most CO2

• Throughout Europe, 37% gas demand was met with Russian gas in 2017

• UK, most natural gas imported by pipeline from Norway OR LNG from Qatar

4.5: Who has spoken out about UK’s stocks on fossil fuels?

• PM Rishi Sunak defended decision to grant 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences, saying it was "entirely consistent" with net zero commitments by 2050

• Campaigners said extracting more fossil fuels would "send a wrecking ball through UK climate commitments"

5.1: LGN, Biomass, Carbon Capture - definition

• LNG - liquefied natural gas, cooled down to liquid form for ease and safety of non-pressurized storage or transport.

• Biomass - any type of organic matter, e.g wood pellets made from trees

• Carbon capture - Tech to capture and store CO2 released from a power station

5.1: How are non-renewable fossil fuels used? What are the economic and environmental issues?

• Economic issue - UK must pay to import gas from Norway and cost is passed on to consumers for their heating and cooking

• Some gas is produced in North Sea although stocks are declining

• Environmental issue - burning gas for electricity creates lots of CO2 emissions = greenhouse effect stronger, adding to GW

• 2019 - Coal is only 3%, Gas is 41% of UK's electricity

5.1: What's happening at Drax power station in Yorkshire?

• Opened 1974, Once the biggest polluter in Britain, now C02 emissions reduce largely

• Coal powered its 6 turbines, now UK is going coal-free.

• 2013, 4 boilers burn biomass, wood product from commercial forests in N.America.

• 2021, last 2 boilers ceased burning coal

• Now UK's largest generator of renewable electricity, 6% of Britain's electricity

• Plans to use new tech like carbon capture to be carbon negative by 2030

5.2: Non-renewable nuclear energy examples and issues?

• Hinkley Point C - UK is building nuclear power station in Somerset

• Expected opening 2025

• Will meet 7% of UK's electricity needs

• Main economic issue: £18 bill = raise energy bills

• Key environmental issue: small risk of a nuclear radiation leak

5.3: Issues of biomass and wind energy?

Biomass:

• Economic issue: Drax, biomass wood pellets imported from N.America - expensive

• Environmental issue: Burning biomass releases C02, but C02 is absorbed as trees grow to make the pellets. Many argue it's better to burn biomass pellets than coal

Wind: electricity from wind turbine built on land or sea

• Economic issue: Expensive to build in sea, cost has fallen in recent years

• Environmental issues: Some say wind farms in sea have negative effect in ocean ecosystems and biodiversity. Turbines on land can be noisy and have negative visual impact

5.3: Issues, definition and e.g of HEP?

• Electricity generated when river, lake or reservoir water is used to turn turbines.

• E.g Dinorwig, North Wales

3 Gorges Dam, China. Largest HEP station:

• Economic issue: $40 billion

• Environmental issue: Dam's reservoir submerged 13 cities (1.3 mill had to relocate from former homes)

5.3: Issues, definition and e.g of Solar energy?

• Electricity from sunlight, e.g using photovoltaic cells. e.g Spain gets 9% from solar

• Permission given to begin UKs biggest solar farm on the north Kent coast

• Environmental issue: Will cover 900 acres of land

• Economic: Cost of solar panels has fallen by two thirds since 2010

5.3: Issues, definition and e.g of tidal energy?

• Electricity generated as ocean tides goes in and out.

• Orbital O2, off the coast of Orkney in Scotland

• Economic issue: Expensive project to only provide power for 2000 homes

• Environmental: Clean energy helps progress towards 'net zero' CO2 and helps slow GW.

• Swansea tidal lagoon: 'Significant' steps for £1.7bn project

5.3: Issues, definition and e.g of wave energy?

• Electricity made from ocean waves

• Many experimental wave energy projects, but costs are high and there are environmental concerns

• Agucadoura Wave Farm off coast of Portugal, shut down only 2 months after opening in 2008

5.3: Issues, definition and e.g of geothermal energy?

• Using heat from magma near Earth's surface to generate electricity and provide hot water

• Iceland has several geothermal power stations thanks to lying over constructive plate margin which brings hot magma close to surface

• Economic issue: Only economically viable in locations with tectonic plate margins

• Environmental issue: Adding cold water to crust may eventually cool it down, so that the station becomes less effective

6.1: What does 'sustainable' mean?

• Meeting the needs of people today while trying to conserve resources for future generations.

• With regard to energy resources, sustainable means a focus on renewable energy and less use of fossil fuels.

6.2: Can you describe ways to reduce energy demand? How does this link to 'carbon footprints'?

• Carbon footprint - person's individual contribution to enhanced greenhouse effect and GW

• Energy demand reduced through more energy efficient home appliances

• Individuals can turn electric items off standby when not using, and turn home heating down by 1 degree or more

• UK gov charges more road tax or higher-polluting cars, and offers reduced road tax for greener vehicles

6.3: Can you explain how energy can be conserved?

• Home design: building homes well-insulated helps keep in heat and reduce need for heating e.g Loft insulation, double/triple glazed windows have similar effect

• Workplace design: Some offices have solar panels on roofs

• Transport design: Public transport systems and cycle lanes encourage people to drive cars less

• Technology: Electric cars mean petrol resources are conserved (however, lots of lithium is mined to make electric car batteries)

7.1: What is 'energy security' and ‘energy mix’?

• Energy security - country can generate enough electricity to meet demand, and has enough resources for heating, cooking, hot water, transport, industries

• To be secure, country can afford the required resources, and resources will come from reliable sources. Greater due to broader energy mix.

• Energy mix - all methods a country uses to provide energy resources

7.2: What is ‘energy surplus’ and ‘energy deficit’?

• Energy surplus: country has a greater supply of energy resources than it has a demand for

• Energy deficit (or insecurity): country has a greater demand for energy than supply

7.2: Which parts of the world are in 'energy surplus', and which are in 'energy deficit'?

Energy surplus:

• OPEC, 13 countries hold 80%+ of world's oil. Many in the Middle East region (Saudi Arabia) = have considerable energy security

• Nearly 80% of world's total proven natural gas reserves are in 10 countries. Russia at top - 25%, followed by Iran and Qatar

Energy deficit:

• Many countries in West Europe - UK, as we partly depend on fossil fuel imports, (oil, gas).

• USA, as it has huge energy demand (but does produce some oil/gas)

• Asia, highly populated countries like India have to import a lot of fossil fuels to help meet energy demand - 82% of its oil

7.3: Can you outline the global distribution of energy consumption and supply?

• Energy consumption is highest in countries like USA, Canada and Australia

• Crude oil consumption dominated by N.America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions

• Supply dominated by OPEC

7.4: Can you give reasons for increasing energy consumption?

• Economic development - countries develop = more industries needing electricity, more vehicles requiring fuels like petrol or diesel

• Rising pop -UK 67 mill (21st highest). 2023, India overtook China as most populated country

• Tech - Car and food factories increasingly use robots on production lines, and industries like these use lots of electricity. At home many have computers and other electronic items which use electricity

7.5: Can you list factors affecting energy supply?

• Physical

• Political

• Cost of exploitation and production

• Technological

7.5: Can you explain these factors affecting energy supply?

• physical

• Area's geology determines if fossil fuels are available to extract

• E.g UK extracting oil and gas from under North Sea for decades

• Sunnier climate enables more solar power to be generated (Spain)

• Windier climate enables more wind power to be generated (UK offshore wind farms)

7.5: Can you explain these factors affecting energy supply?

• political

• Political factors: Gov policies on energy are important, e.g UK gov made several U-turns on fracking

• Fracking: extracting gas from shale rock under ground. Drilling down, injecting water, sand and chemicals to release gas or oil

7.5: Can you explain these factors affecting energy supply?

• Cost of exploitation and production

• UK gov decided to build Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset

• But it’s £18 bill and will raise electricity prices for everyone

7.5: Can you explain these factors affecting energy supply?

• Technological

• Technology allows development of high-tech facilities like nuclear power station

• Better drilling tech allows energy companies to look for oil and gas in deeper ocean water

7.6: Can you list impacts of energy insecurity?

• Exploring environmentally sensitive areas

• Economic and environmental costs

• Food production

• Fuel or food?

• Industrial output

• Potential for conflict where demand exceeds

  supply

7.6: Can you explain these impacts of energy insecurity?

• Exploring environmentally sensitive areas

• Economic and environmental costs

• Energy companies are increasingly searching in regions like Arctic, where oil spill would have negative impact on fragile environment and wildlife

• Some energy sources are costly to exploit (oil rigs in deep ocean). Nuclear stations need lots of investment, which many LICs can't afford. Fossil fuel stations have high CO2 emissions.

7.6: Can you explain these impacts of energy insecurity?

• Food production

• Fuel or food?

• Making food uses 30% of global energy. E.g energy is used to power farm machinery and make fertilisers. Without decent energy security, countries may lack food supplies. UK, food factories have huge demand for electricity

• Brazil - most cars run on biofuel “ethanol”. Made from fermenting sugar cane. Makes sense as county has so much farm land, whereas other countries, better to use farm land for food

7.6: Can you explain these impacts of energy insecurity?

• Industrial output

• Potential for conflict where demand exceeds

  supply

• Power cut = negative impact on factories and other businesses. Especially the case in LICs where power cuts are more common

• Potential for conflict as some countries have vast stocks of fossil fuels, which others need. E.g. Russia has world's largest stock of natural gas 25%

8.1: CASE STUDY: Can you describe what happens in Canada's Oil Sands (or tar sands) region?

• Oil sands - sandy ground containing crude oil in a sticky tar-like form called bitumen

• Canada has oil reserves in world top 5, Oil sands in Alberta province, west Canada

• Estimated 170 bill barrels of oil lying beneath coniferous forest

• Oil sands extraction is mainly by open-cast mining, digging straight into ground from surface - removes trees and soil to access oil to a depth of 75m

• 2.9 mill barrels are extracted every day

8.2: Can you explain the advantages of extracting oil in Canada's Oil Sands region?

• Canada makes a lot of money by selling oil to USA and other countries via pipelines

• Canada has high level of energy security

• Thousands of jobs available for local tribal groups, e.g Fort McKay First Nation.

• Central town of Fort McMurray has become employment hotspot

8.3: Can you explain the disadvantages of extracting oil in Canada's Oil Sands region?

• Several reported water pollution problems: Local tribes say fish in Lake Athabasca can no longer be eaten by humans

• Mining process involves blasting oil sands with water + Toxic waste water creates polluted lakes called 'tailings ponds'

• Migrating birds die in oil-polluted rivers and lakes

• Coniferous forest is cut down, which releases CO2

• Oil used to make petrol and other products = high carbon emissions, speed up GW

9.1: CASE STUDY: Can you describe the location of Chambamontera and why it needed a sustainable energy scheme?

• Isolated community in Andes Mountains of Peru, 2+ hours drive on rough track from nearest town

• Till recently, development had been restricted by lack of electricity

• Remoteness and steep slopes meant it couldn’t be connected to main electricity grid

• Small pop meant it was uneconomic to build electricity grid to serve area

• Local energy production scheme was much needed to provide heat, light and power

9.2: Can you describe how Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme works with supply of sustainable and renewable energy?

• Small-scale hydroelectric power (HEP) project

• Water is taken from local river channel and has its sediment filtered out in a tank

• Water is then sent down steep slope to build up speed

• Through a powerhouse with a turbine and a generator to convert energy of water into electricity

9.3: Can you explain how the Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme has benefited the local community?

• Computers, lights and fridges, and other electrical appliances

• Homework completed after dark

• Lower flood risk, as scheme regulates river flow

• Streets safer, as they can be lit at night

• Healthcare improved as medicines can be refrigerated

• Smaller fire risk, as flammable oil lamps no longer needed for light