The challenge of resource management

Where is Chambamontera located?

Peru, South America

What type of energy project was installed in Chambamontera?

Micro-hydro scheme

What is a micro-hydro scheme?

Small-scale hydroelectric power project

Why was Chambamontera chosen for micro-hydro?

Remote village, no access to national grid

Main water source for Chambamontera project?

Mountain streams

How does a micro-hydro scheme work?

Uses flowing water to turn a turbine and generate electricity

Capacity of Chambamontera micro-hydro plant?

Around 18 kW

How much did the Chambamontera project cost?

Approximately $51,000

Who funded Chambamontera's micro-hydro scheme?

Local people, NGOs, charity Practical Action

How many people benefited from the project?

About 60 families

Before the scheme, how did residents get light and energy?

Kerosene lamps and batteries

Environmental benefit of micro-hydro?

Clean, renewable energy; reduces fossil fuel use

Economic benefit for Chambamontera?

Makes businesses more productive, supports local enterprise

Social benefit of having electricity?

Improved health, education, quality of life

Why is micro-hydro sustainable for Chambamontera?

Local energy source, low emissions, uses local resources

Main household use of electricity after installation?

Lights, refrigerators, radios, phones

How did micro-hydro impact local schools?

Electricity for lighting, computers, education resources

Impact on local medical care?

Refrigerators for medicine, electric equipment allowed

Major problem solved by micro-hydro for villagers?

No more reliance on expensive, polluting kerosene

How does electricity supply support small businesses?

Allows machine use, preserves food, improves services

What charity supported Chambamontera's energy project?

Practical Action

Why is hydro power considered renewable?

Uses water cycle, does not deplete resources

Key environmental advantage of micro-hydro in Chambamontera?

Little water pollution, maintains natural river flow

Impact on greenhouse gas emissions after scheme?

Reduced emissions due to less fossil fuel use

Why is micro-hydro suited to mountainous areas?

Steep slopes, fast-flowing streams available

Maintenance required for micro-hydro?

Regular checks, local training

What kind of turbines are used?

Small, low-head water turbines

How does electricity affect evening activities?

Lights for studying, socialising, working after dark

Why was the project affordable for villagers?

Subsidies, community investment, NGO fundraising

How has micro-hydro helped local agriculture?

Powered irrigation pumps, food preservation

Effect on community safety?

Lighting reduces accidents, enables first-aid at night

How does scheme empower villagers?

Local control, training for maintenance and repairs

Impact on women's workload?

Fewer hours spent gathering wood/fuel

Why is micro-hydro described as "appropriate technology"?

Matches local needs, easy to maintain, low-tech

Who maintains the Chambamontera system?

Trained local technicians

Why can micro-hydro run all year?

Streams fed by regular rainfall/mountain runoff

What is the main challenge for micro-hydro sustainability?

Maintaining equipment, ensuring community involvement

Safety advantage of micro-hydro over kerosene lamps?

No fire risk, clean air

How did the energy project affect local food?

Enables refrigeration, less spoilage

How did micro-hydro change local communications?

Charged phones, radios, internet possible

What is the significance of energy for health improvement?

Clean water (boiling), better lighting for clinics

What is the typical lifespan of a micro-hydro system?

Over 20 years with proper care

How does micro-hydro affect education in Chambamontera?

Enables evening study, computers in schools

Why is micro-hydro low impact on river ecosystems?

Small diversion, fish passage protected

How do villagers pay for electricity?

Small fee covers maintenance and operation

Main limitation of micro-hydro during dry season?

Less water limits electricity generation

How did Practical Action support Chambamontera?

Provided technical advice, funding, training

How is excess electricity used?

Supplies neighbouring homes and businesses

Impact on air quality in homes?

No burning kerosene, cleaner air

How did villagers solve problems with micro-hydro?

Training, local committees

How does micro-hydro compare with national grid extension?

Faster, cheaper, locally managed

Why is micro-hydro considered "bottom-up" development?

Driven by community, not government

How does electricity encourage local enterprise?

Shops can use equipment, stay open after dark

How did lessons from Chambamontera influence other villages?

Spurred similar projects in rural Andes

How is micro-hydro different from large dams?

Smaller scale, lower environmental impact

How does scheme affect village migration?

Residents more likely to stay, less rural depopulation

Main lesson from Chambamontera's project?

Community engagement is vital

How does micro-hydro affect carbon footprint?

Significantly lowers emissions

Why is local river important for micro-hydro success?

Consistent, reliable water source

How can micro-hydro be replicated?

Assess water availability, involve local community

Main reason for supporting micro-hydro worldwide?

Suitable for remote, off-grid areas

How does micro-hydro create long-term change?

Improved health, economic and social development

What is the environmental footprint of micro-hydro?

Very low compared to fossil fuels

Main improvement in living standards?

Lights, health, productivity, comfort

Why is community ownership important?

Ensures long-term maintenance, responsibility

Why is Chambamontera an ideal case study?

Shows sustainable energy transforming lives

What is food security?

Having reliable access to enough safe, nutritious food

How much food does the UK import?

About 50%

Why does the UK import so much food?

Climate unsuitable for some crops, year-round demand

Main countries UK imports food from?

Spain, Netherlands, France, USA, Africa

What does the UK export?

Beef, lamb, fish, whisky, cereals

What is food miles?

Distance food travels from farm to consumer

Why are high food miles a problem?

Causes pollution from transport

What is carbon footprint?

Total greenhouse gases produced by something

How can UK reduce food carbon footprint?

Buy local and seasonal food, reduce waste

What is seasonal food?

Food grown naturally at certain times of year

Benefits of eating seasonal food?

Fresher, cheaper, lower emissions

What is local food?

Food grown nearby

Examples of local food sources?

Farmers' markets, farm shops, local supermarkets

What is organic farming?

Farming without artificial chemicals

Benefits of organic farming?

Better for soil, wildlife, health

What is agribusiness?

Large-scale commercial farming

What is food waste?

Throwing away food that could be eaten

How much food does UK waste?

Around 9.5 million tonnes per year

Where does most food waste happen?

In homes

Why is food waste bad for environment?

Wastes resources, creates greenhouse gases in landfills

How can we reduce food waste?

Plan meals, store food properly, use leftovers

What is a "Best Before" date?

Quality guide, food usually safe after

What is a "Use By" date?

Safety date, don't eat food after this

What are food banks?

Charities that give free food to people in need

Why has food bank use increased in UK?

Rising food prices, poverty, benefit cuts

What is food poverty?

Not being able to afford healthy food

What is intensive farming?

Using lots of resources to get high yields

Problems with intensive farming?

Pollution, harms wildlife, damages soil

What is extensive farming?

Farming over large areas with fewer resources

Example of extensive farming in UK?

Sheep farming in hills of Scotland and Wales

What is arable farming?

Growing crops

What is pastoral farming?

Raising animals

Main arable farming areas in UK?

East Anglia, Southeast England (flat, dry, fertile)

Main pastoral farming areas in UK?

Scotland, Wales, Southwest (hilly, wetter)