Influence of superpowers on Global Concerns 2.3

Effects water scarcity- and why are India and China having water sacrity

• May worsen food security

• increasing population

• pollution of fresh water sources by industries

• increasing drought due to climate change

why do countries energy requirements increase as they develop

• more energy used in factories

• domestic demand increases as people have more technology- washing machines, TV

Why do many emerging countries rely on fossil fuels, what is an example?

• they are cheaper

• Indonesia 80% of electricity generated by fossil fuels

• China has used more coal than rest of the world

what are the negative environmental affects of the increase demand of recourses

• water pollution from industries- 80% of Chinas groundwater is unsafe to consume

• air pollution- 90% of global population experienced unhealthy air quality

• soil degradation- 40% of worlds land is degraded, growing food more difficult due to soils becoming infertile causing foot shortages

Examples of superpowers being largest carbon emitters

• Superpowers are largest emitters of CO2

• China emits over 30% of global greenhouse emissions

Russias willingness to reduce carbon emissions

Russia supported Paris agreement to reduce co2 emissions by 30% from 1990 levels

How has global consumption changed, and what is driving it

• increased due to growing wealth which has led to increased disposable income

• this will result in greater demand for resources by 2050.

What will the increased demand in rescources cause

• recourses more sacre

• Increase prices

• Increase tensions between nations (between those who have lots and those who need them)

what are the impacts of increased consumption and resources

• air pollution

• deforestation

• soil contamination

Growing Middle class

People in middle class expected to rise especially in emerging countries

As population becomes richer, they use more resources e.g live in bigger houses requiring more heating.

What does the rise of middle class put pressure on

Food security, water security, energy security, recourse security

Recource security

Demand for rare Earth minerals increases causing higher prices

This could cause shortage in basic metals like copper

Food security

More demand in volume of food.

Causing more meat and dairy production which release more greenhouse gases

Energy security

Oil demand expected to rise by 30%

Prices of oil increase- may be shortages causing electricity blackouts

Variations in willingness to act on environmental issues

there’s differences between nations to act to reduce carbon emissions

Americas willingness to reduce carbon emissions

Americas pulled out of many environmental programmes

Trumps given permission for oil drilling in Alaska

This will increase co2 emissions by USA

EU willingness to reduce carbon emissions

Sees climate change as a problem

Working towards reducing emissions like making renewable renewable production

chinas willingness to reduce carbon emissions

Work towards emission peak in 2030

Become carbon neutral by 2060