What is the significance of food miles in terms of environmental impact?
Food miles measure the environmental impact of transporting food, where high food miles contribute to a larger carbon footprint.
What are some advantages of food with high food miles?
Access to diverse, exotic, or out-of-season foods and support for farmers in developing countries.
What is a disadvantage of high food miles?
They can result in significant greenhouse gas emissions from transport.
What characterizes agribusiness and why is it important?
Agribusiness involves large-scale, intensive farming to maximize food production and meet growing demand.
What is one advantage of agribusiness?
It allows for efficient and high-yield food production utilizing modern technology.
What is a disadvantage of agribusiness?
It can lead to heavy use of chemicals that harm ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity.
What is organic farming and why is it important?
Organic farming avoids synthetic chemicals and focuses on sustainability.
What is an advantage of organic farming?
It supports biodiversity and produces healthier food options without pesticides.
What is a disadvantage of organic farming?
It tends to be more labor-intensive, leading to higher costs and lower yields compared to intensive farming.
What are some impacts of global food insecurity?
Famine, undernutrition, soil erosion, and social unrest caused by high food prices.
What is one solution to improve global food insecurity?
Irrigation increases yield in dry areas, although it can be costly to maintain.
What area in the UK is known for water surplus?
North West England, where rainfall exceeds demand.
What is a water deficit region in the UK?
South East England, characterized by lower rainfall and higher population density.
What is the proposed water grid idea?
To transfer water from surplus areas to deficit regions.
What are some sources of pollution affecting water quality?
Industrial discharge, fertilizer runoff, leaching from mines, and cooling water discharge.
What are some challenges in the UK's energy mix?
Depleting fossil fuel reserves and increasing dependence on imported energy.
What advantage do fossil fuels provide in terms of energy?
There is existing infrastructure that supports their use.
What is one major disadvantage of using fossil fuels?
They result in high greenhouse gas emissions and are finite resources.
What are the pros of using renewable energy sources?
Low emissions and sustainable, decreasing dependency on imports.
What are some disadvantages of renewable energy?
High upfront costs for installation and an intermittent supply depending on weather.
What are advantages of the Indus Basin Irrigation System?
It provides water for farmland, increases crop yield, generates hydroelectric power, and supports fish farming.
What is one disadvantage of the Indus Basin Irrigation System?
Farmers downstream may suffer from water shortages due to water diversion.
What methods are utilized in the Makueni Food Programme?
Sand dams collect rainwater, SMART agriculture, and tree planting to improve water security and soil fertility.
What is a limitation of the Makueni Food Programme?
The cost of tanks and dams can be prohibitive for some and small-scale initiatives may have limited national impact.
How can food security be improved?
By using irrigation, biotechnology, urban farming, educating farmers, and reducing food waste.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of local food sourcing in the UK?
Advantages include reduced food miles and supporting local economies; disadvantages include seasonal limitations and higher costs.
What are some pros and cons of large-scale agricultural development?
Pros include high yields and advanced technology use; cons include environmental damage and displacement of small-scale farmers.