the challenge of resource management

what are resources?

Resources are things which have value to humans

Food, water and energy are the most important resources

They are essential for people to be healthy and be secure

what are the effects of food on HICS?

In many High Income Countries (HICs) the intake of calories is higher than people need, leading to increasing levels of obesity

what are the effects of food on LICS?

In Low Income Countries (LICs) the intake of calories is on average lower than needed

To be able to work and be productive, people need to have a good diet

Over 800 million people are at risk from life-threatening hunger (undernourished): almost 9% of the world's population

what is the use of water?

It is used in all aspects of life for domestic use, agriculture, industry and energy

what is economic water scarcity?

Economic water scarcity is when countries cannot afford to exploit water resources by setting up infrastructure

what is physical water scarcity?

Physical water scarcity is when there is a lack of water

what is energy used for?

Humans need energy for light, heat and power

what is the distribution of energy between HICS, LICS and NEES?

HICs consume more energy than LICs

NEEs are experiencing increased demand for energy due to domestic and industrial demand

in what ways are food demands changing?

LICS are having a higher demand for higher value exports of foods

why is there a larger carbon footprint due to this increasing demand for food?

larger carbon footprints due to the increasing number of 'food miles' travelled, and moves towards local sourcing of food

why does the UK import food?

Cheaper food being available from abroad

Increased demand for foods which are unavailable in the UK due to the climate

The demand for food the same foods all year round: for example salad crops which are only grown in the UK in spring and summer

how is organic produce normally grown?

Without using artificial pesticides and fertilisers

Using natural predators to control pests

what are the problems with organic produce?

Yields on organic farms may be lower (yields improve over time)

More labour is used

Organic farms tend to be smaller

These factors lead to increased cost of organic produce

what is agribusiness and what is its main aim?

This involves applying business principles to farming

The main aim is to increase food production via any means such as :

Increasing field size through the removal of hedgerows this improves yields and efficiency

Combining smaller farms to create larger farms

what is the changing demand for water in the UK ?

demand is increasing

why is demand for water increasing in the UK?

Population growth

People showering and washing clothes more frequently

Farming systems such as greenhouses need more water for irrigation

which parts of the UK have a water surplus and deficit and why?

The north and west of the UK have a water surplus

Levels of precipitation are higher in the north and east

Population density is lower

The south and east of the UK have a water deficit

Levels of precipitation are lower in the south and east

Population density is higher

what are examples of water transfer schemes?

Pipelines

Using canals and existing water ways

Dams and reservoirs such as Kielder Water, Northumberland and Vyrnwy, Wales

why has a national water grid not gone ahead?

Cost of installing pipelines and building transfers

Effects on local communities as people would need to be moved

Construction of dams and reservoirs can impact on ecosystems and habitats

where does water pollution come from?

agriculture: pesticides and fertilisers dissolve in rainfall

industry: untreated waste from factories

mining: heavy metals and chemicals leach into the water

which organisation manages water pollution and what laws has it enforced?

Water quality in the UK is managed by the Environment Agency

There are strict water quality laws such as the Clean Water Act, 1989 and Water Industry Act, 1991 which:

Restrict the types and amounts of discharge from industry and domestic systems

Has standards for wildlife health

why has energy consumption reduced?

Declining manufacturing industry

Reduced domestic energy consumption due to energy-efficient appliances, improved insulation etc...

why has the UK's energy mixed changed and how?

- in 1990, uk relied on fossil fuels

- in 2015, there was an energy mix between renewable and fossil fuels with fossil fuels decreasing due to renewable increasing

why has reliance on fossil fuels decreased?

Oil, gas and coal reserves are running out

Fossil fuels emit greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming

The last coal-fired power station closed in 2024

why is renewable energy important

They do not emit greenhouse gases when generating electricity (though some greenhouse gases are emitted in the manufacture of wind turbines, solar panels etc...)

The costs of renewable energies are decreasing

is the UK energy imported or domestic mainly?

imported

what are the economic and environmental issues with fossil fuels?

economic

Non-renewable: will eventually run out or will no longer be economically viable

Issues with obtaining energy sources such as oil spills, miners job related diseases incur costs

environmental

Greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming

Waste created by mining and oil spills can damage ecosystems

what are the economic and environmental issues with nuclear energy?

economic

The building and decommissioning of nuclear power stations is expensive

Cost of storage, transport and disposal of nuclear waste is high

environmental

Dangers associated with storage and disposal of radioactive waste

Risk of nuclear accidents which would harm humans and wildlife

what are the economic and environmental issues with renewable energy?

economic

Set up costs are high

The visual impact of wind and solar farms may lead to a decrease in tourism

environmental

Wind turbines may affect bird migration patterns and bat flight patterns

Dams built for hydroelectric power may affect fish and wildlife movement along the river

what are the 3 main causes of an increase in energy demand?

Population growth, economic development and technology are the three main causes of the increase in energy demand

how has population growth increased global demand for energy and where has it occurred most?

Population growth leads to an increased demand for food, goods and technology all of which increase the need for energy

Most population growth has been in LICs and NEEs where there are already issues with energy insecurity

how has economic development increased global demand for energy?

More developed countries have:

- higher demand for food which means more intensive farming requiring more energy for machines, light and heat

- increasing industries which require energy for machinery

- more transport and car ownership requiring energy in teh form of petrol and fuel

- urbanisation increased leading to more energy used by domestic appliances

how has technology led to increased global demand for energy?

Technology has led to a greater number of appliances which use energy both in industry and domestic use

describe the global consumption of energy

Countries with the highest energy consumption per person tend to be HICs and include Canada, Norway and Saudi Arabia

Countries with the lowest energy consumption per person are LICs including Niger, Chad and Tanzania

which countries are the main producers of fossil fuel primary energy?

USA

Canada

Norway

Russia

Australia

Middle East

what is an energy gap?

when a country cant meet the demand for its energy using its own resources

what are the 3 things that make a country energy secure?

Uninterrupted supply of energy

Affordable supply

Accessible supply

what factors affect supply of energy?

physical factors, cost of exploitation and production, technology and political factors

how do physical factors affect supply of energy?

Location: some oil and gas reserves are under the sea bed, and reaching them can be challenging, some areas of tectonic activity are suitable for geothermal energy

Climate: extreme heat or cold can impact on machinery used and transport. It can also affect sunshine hours and wind for solar and wind energy production

how does cost of exploitation affect supply of energy?

Some forms are energy are more expensive than others: coal is relatively cheap whereas nuclear is expensive

The cost of renewables is decreasing as technologies develop

Wages are included in costs this can make exploiting the reserve unprofitable for example in coal in the UK

how does technology affect supply of energy?

New technological developments mean that additional reserves of energy can be exploited

Technology has helped to improve the efficiency and cost of renewable energy, there are also developments in energy storage

Allows New energy sources to be developed such as hydraulic fracturing or fracking to extract shale gas and hydrogen energy

how do political factors affect supply of energy?

Conflict can be caused between countries regarding energy reserves and who has the right to exploit them

Flows of energy from one country to others can be interrupted due to conflict: supplies of oil from Libya have been affected by civil war since 2011, and supplies of gas have been affected by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia

what are the 4 impacts of energy security?

exploration of difficult and environmentally sensitive areas,

economic and environmental costs,

food production,

industrial output,

potential for conflict where demand exceeds supply.

how does energy insecurity impact exploration of environments?

Polar and tundra regions: the search for new energy sources has led to exploration for gas and oil in Siberia and Alaska

-Economic costs are higher due to the technology needed and higher wages paid

-Impact on the fragile polar and tundra ecosystems

Tropical rainforests: large areas have been deforested to grow biomass for fuel

-Increases CO2 due to the loss of trees

-Increases soil erosion

-Reduces habitats and biodiversity

how does energy insecurity impact food?

The use of land for biofuels decreases the availability of land for crops

-Food prices will increase

-More intensive agricultural techniques will be used further increasing energy demand and energy insecurity

how does energy insecurity impact industrial output?

-Energy insecurity can lead to power cuts which affect industrial production

-Increasing or fluctuating energy prices affect profits

-Industries may have to raise prices to pay for energy costs

-Industries may not be able to compete with those in other countries and may close leading to:

Loss of jobs

Impact on the GDP and economy

how does energy security impact conflict?

Concerns about energy supply can lead to conflict within and between countries

Conflict between users for energy supply can increase prices

Rising prices may cause conflict between those who can afford it and those who cannot

Governments may have to make decisions about priorities for receiving energy supplies if there are risks of power cuts

what are the 2 strategies to increase energy supply?

Increase the use of renewable energy sources

Continue to use non-renewable fossil fuels and increase the use of nuclear energy

what are the advantages and disadvantages of using gas as a non renewable energy source?

adv

-Efficient

-Least polluting of the fossil fuels

-Easy to transport: pipes

-Easy to produce energy from

-Reliable

Dis adv

-Risk of explosions

-Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases

-Air pollution

-Price fluctuates

what are the advantages and disadvantages of using oil as a non renewable energy source?

Adv

-Efficient

-Less polluting than coal

-Quite easy to transport: pipes or barrels

-Easy to produce energy from

-Reliable

dis adv

-Risk of oil spills: Exxon Valdez

-Risk of fire/explosions: Piper Alpha oil platform

-Low world reserves

-Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases

what are the advantages and disadvantages of using coal as a non renewable energy source?

ADV

-Large world reserves

-Mechanisation and technology have made coal more accessible and cheaper

-Cheap

-Efficient

-Easy to produce energy from

-Reliable

DIS ADV

-Releases CO2 one of the main greenhouse gases

-Releases SO2 which leads to acid rain

-Opencast mines destroy habitats

-Heavy and bulky to transport

what are the advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy as a non renewable energy source?

ADV

-No greenhouse gas emissions

-Efficient

-Small amounts of uranium needed

DIS ADV

-Nuclear waste is radioactive and expensive to dispose of

-Power stations are expensive

-Risk of nuclear accidents: Chernobyl, Fukushima

what are the advantages and disadvantages of using hydroelectric power as a renewable energy source?

ADV

-No greenhouse gas emissions

-controls flooding downstream

-Often in sparsely populated areas

-May provide water storage for irrigation and domestic use

DIS ADV

-Large areas of land are flooded behind the dam

-Dam traps sediment which can affect ecosystems downstream

-Visual pollution

-Can prevent fish movement upstream

what are the advantages and disadvantages of using tidal energy as a renewable energy source?

ADV

-No greenhouse gas emissions

-No air pollution

-Has the potential to produce large amounts of energy

-Reliable

DIS ADV

-Expensive to build and maintain

-Can affect marine ecosystems

-Few suitable sites

what are the advantages and disadvantages of use of wind energy as a renewable energy source?

ADV

-No greenhouse gas emissions

-No air pollution

-Can be small or large scale

-Cheap to run

-Can be on land or offshore

DIS ADV

-Not reliable only works when the wind is strong enough but not too strong

-Visual pollution

-Noise pollution

-May affect bird migration patterns or kill birds who fly into the moving blades

what are the advantages and disadvantages of use of solar energy as a renewable energy source?

ADV

-No greenhouse gas emissions

-No air pollution

-Can be small or large scale

-Can be used in most locations

-Can be incorporated into building design

DIS ADV

-Expensive

-Not reliable only works when it is sunny

-Large numbers need to produce energy

-Uses large areas of land

what are the advantages and disadvantages of use of geothermal energy as a renewable energy source?

ADV

-No CO2 gases

-Lots of potential sites

-Reliable

-Can produce large amounts of energy

DIS ADV

-Expensive

-Emits sulphuric gases

-High temperatures cause maintenance issues

what are the advantages and disadvantages of use of biomass as a renewable energy source?

ADV

-Uses waste or biofuels which regrow

-Available in most locations

DIS ADV

-Air pollution

-Produces greenhouse gases

-Expensive

how was natural gas formed?

it was formed from layers of decomposing plant and animal matter over millions of yea

where is natural gas normally found and which countries have the largest natural gas reserves?

-Gas is found either in the large cracks and spaces between layers of rock

Alternatively gas is found in the tiny pores within sedimentary rock

-Russia, Iran and Qatar have the largest natural gas reserves

what are the adv and dis adv of extracting natural gas?

ADV

-It is easily transported via pipelines or tankers

-Risks of accidents are lower than with oil and coal extraction

-Lower emissions of greenhouse gases than coal and oil

-Lower cost than other fossil fuels

DIS ADV

-Fracking contaminates groundwater supplies and increases tectonic activity (earthquakes)

-Produces CO2 and methane gases which contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect

-Storing gas is expensive due to the larger volume

-Main reserves are in Russia and Iran: countries which are engaged in conflict or are politically unstable

what is a sustainable energy supply?

-Sustainable energy supply should balance supply and demand ensuring that future generations are able to meet their energy needs

-Sustainable energy supply does not cause harm to the environment and should benefit local communities

how can individual carbon footprints and energy use be reduced?

-Walking or cycling to reduce the use of cars

-Reducing food miles - buying locally produced and seasonal food

-Buying an electric or hybrid car

-Switching off lights when leaving a room and not leaving appliances on standby

how can transport cause a national reduction in energy demand?

-Many governments are encouraging people to buy electric cars

-In the UK the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned from 2035

-investment in public transport to reduce the use of cars

-Reducing the use of diesel trains - UK has a target of net zero rail network by 2050

-New buses are hybrid or electric

-Promotion of car share with car share lanes and priority parking

-Congestion charging - London has a £15 Congestion charge and an Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) where an additional charge is made on cars who don't meet emission standards

how can technology cause a national reduction in energy demand?

-Combined heat and power (CHP): when power stations generate electricity they also generate waste heat which can be used to heat homes and businesses

-Carbon capture and storage which removes the carbon produced when burning fossil fuels and stores it underground

-More efficient car engines and aerodynamic car design to reduce fuel use

-Hybrid and electric cars

-Improved efficiency for electrical appliances

what example is there of a local renewable energy scheme in an LIC OR NEE?

Micro-Hydro, Nepal

what is the energy use of Nepal?

Energy demand is very low but growing as the country develops

what is the energy mix in Nepal?

-The main source of energy for 82% of the rural population is fuelwood

-In urban areas the use of fuelwood is 36%

-Nepal has no suitable coal, oil or gas reserves so these have to be imported

-98% of all electricity in Nepal is generated through hydropower

how has the scheme made Nepal's future more sustainable?

-Access to electricity has increased rapidly over the past 15 years:

-93% of the population now have access to electricity (2023)

-Support from the World Bank has led to more investment in hydropower

-There are now over 3000 micro-hydro plants in Nepal

describe the scheme and its impacts in Ruma Kholo?

-Provides electricity for the town of Dar bang and five neighbouring villages

-It supplies energy for 22 industries including:

metal workshop, furniture manufacturers, a cement block manufacturer, a noodle factory, poultry farms and dairy farms

-Built and operated by the community the micro-hydro plant was funded using grants from the government with support from the World Bank

-The loans are paid back using money that the community pay for the electricity supply

-it has improved the standard of living in the communities

-Reliance on kerosene and fuelwood has reduced and emissions have fallen

-Deforestation has decreased