aice environmental: topic 5

Define food security.

when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life

Outline possible causes of food insecurity

• water shortages

• land degradation

• agricultural pests and diseases

• population growth,

• diverting crops for biofuels

• poverty

• price setting

• climate change

• unsustainable production

outine the mpacts of food insecurity.

• increases the number of people in poverty

• slows or reverses economic development

• causes political destabilization as food insecurity leads to food-related unrest

• causes population decline due to migration or death

Define energy security

the reliable availability of energy sources at an affordable price with a consideration of environmental impacts

Define long-term energy security.

the supply of energy that is in line with economic developments and environmental needs

Define short-term energy security.

systems that react promptly to sudden changes in the supply-demand balance

Define renewable resources, and list all the possible ones.

any source of energy that can be naturally and quickly replenished, e.g. wind and solar power

• wind

• solar

• tidal and wave

• geothermal

• hydroelectric dams

• biomass

Define non-renewable resources, and list all the possible ones.

resources that will run out and not be replenished for millions of years, for example, oil, gas, and coal.

• oil

• natural gas

• coal

• nuclear power.

Outline how oil is formed.

Oil is formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms that were buried under layers of sediment and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.

Outline how coal is formed.

Coal is formed from the remains of ancient plants that were buried under layers of soil and rock, subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years, resulting in the conversion of plant material into carbon-rich rock.

List the possible causes of energy insecurity.

• population growth

• global energy resource distribution

• energy needs of countries in different income groups

• climate change

• supply distribution

List the possible mpacts of energy insecurity

• poverty and low standards of living

• civil unrest

• increasing energy prices and economic recessions

• reliance on imported energy sources

What are the different methods of getting energy?

the method heats water, or uses the electrons to spin a turbine in a machine which generates electricity

what are the methods of waste disposal?

• storage

• landfills

• recycling

• incineration (burning of waste)

• disposal at sea (dumping into the ocean)

• exporting waste

List the possible impacts of waste disposal.

• soil contamination

• release of dangerous gases

• visual, noise, smell, pollution

• spread of disease

• release of toxic substances

• bioaccumulation and bio magnification

• plastics and microplastics in the ocean

what are some strategies to manage waste disposal?

• reduce reuse recycle

• biodegradable plastics

• divert food waste for animal feed

• composting biodegradable materials

• fermentation

• education

• financial incentives

• legislation

What are some impacts of waste on ocean ecosystems?

Waste disposal in oceans leads to soil contamination, the release of toxic substances, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and the presence of plastics and microplastics, which harm marine life.

Explain how hydroponics differs from traditional farming.

Hydroponics: the growing of plants without the use of soil

• helped food production in areas where space or fertile soil is limited, or in urban areas where urban farming is being introduced

• Water provides nutrients, water, and oxygen to help the plant grow. This technique uses less space and up to 90% less water than traditional farming, and the crops take a shorter time to grow to harvesting size. The need for pesticides is also reduced

List examples of biomass.

Biomass: divided into two categories - bioethanol and biogas

• Wood

• Plant and or animal waste

• Bioethanol - petrol made from plant matter

Define leachate.

Pollutant liquid seeped out from trash in landfills that can contaminate soil and ground/surface water.

Outline how microplastics can negativly impact ocean ecosystems.

They are small enough to swallow. These plastic particles contain harmful chemicals that can increase the risk of disease and decrease fertility. After ingesting microplastics, marine organisms such as seals and dolphins may suffer ill health for a long time before death

• As consumption of microplastics increases in fish, human ingestion of fish can cause negative health effects aswell.

Briefly describe the challenges posed by landfill sites

The process involves burying waste underground, then covering it up to minimise the health, visual, and odour risks that unburied waste presents

• Leachate can pollute water sources, soil, and cause visual, smell, and noise pollution

• casues negative health effects on both humans and animals.

• releases methance and CO2, which can contribute to climate change as landfills grow