Geography - Global resources

Sustainable development

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Consumption

The level of use a society makes of the resources available to it. Economic development and changing lifestyles usually result in accelerated consumption of resources.

Water security

When all people, at all times, have sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable-quality water for sustaining livelihoods, wellbeing and development.

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.

Energy security

When all people, at all times, enjoy the uninterrupted availability of energy they require to meet their needs, and at an affordable price.

Extreme poverty

When a person's income is too low for basic human needs to be met, potentially resulting in hunger and homelessness (living with less than $1.90 a day)

New Global Middle Class

The rising number of people with an annual income of between $3,650 and $36,500.

Fragile Middle class

People who have just escaped poverty but have yet to join NGMC.

Millennium Development Goals

A set of interrelated global targets for poverty reduction and human development.

Relative poverty

When a person's income is too low to maintain the average standard of living in a particular society.

Ecological footprint

A crude measurement of the area of land or water required to provide a person or society with the energy, food and resources needed to live, and to also absorb waste.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of people an area of land can support with current levels of technology.

Renewable resources

Natural resources that are replenished by the environment over relatively short periods of time.

Non-renewable resources

Mineral and fossil fuel resources that are available only in limited supplies.

Embedded water

A measure of the amount of water used in the production and transport to market of food and commodities. (virtual water, water footprint)

Nutrition transition

A change in diet from staple carbohydrates towards meat and fish proteins and dairy products.

Energy mix

The proportions of hydrocarbons, renewable energy sources and nuclear energy that a country uses to meet its domestic needs.

Hydrocarbons

Fossil fuels, contain a mix of hydrogen and carbon.

Renewable energy

Power sources that make use of sunlight, wind, water, vegetation and geothermal heat.

WFE nexus

The complex and dynamic interrelationships between water, energy and food resource systems.

Safe water

Water that is safe to drink or to use for food preparation, without risk of health problems.

Food availability

Sufficient quantities of food of appropriate quality to support a population, supplied through domestic production or imports, including food aid.

Energy pathways

Flows of energy that link producer regions with consumer regions.

(Physical form = pipelines, electricity power lines)

Water scarcity

When the annual supply of water directly available per person falls below 1,000 cumecs.

Peak oil

The point when the maximum rate of global oil production is reached

Stewardship

An approach to resource management with views of humans as 'caretakers' of the natural world.

No-take zone

An area of water where fishing has been banned completely.

Circular economy

An approach to business management and product design that maximizes the efficiency of resource use, and aims ultimately to phase out waste and pollution altogether.