Challenge of Resource Management

The significance of food to social-wellbeing

The significance of food to social-wellbeing

-Food provides us with energy which is needed to work and enjoy ourselves

-Too much food can lead cause obesity,leading to health issues such as diabetes,strokes,cancer and heart disease. Health issues such as these are more common in HICs

-Too little food can also have a negative impact on health and well-being including stunted growth,eye problems, diabetes and heart disease

-Pressure on the supply of resources will increase as the world’s population grows.

The significance of food to economic

-Food provides us with energy which is needed to work and enjoy ourselves

-Pressure on the supply of resources will increase as the world’s population grows.

The significance of water to social-wellbeing

-Humans need to drink water to survive

-Pressure on the supply of resources will increase as the world’s population grows.

The significance of water to economic

-Water is also needed for washing, to dispose of waste, in industry and manufacturing

-In the UK 75% of water is used by the industry

-Pressure on the supply of resources will increase as the world’s population grows.

The significance of energy to social-wellbeing

-Energy heats our homes, is used to manufacture goods,process food and power transport

-Pressure on the supply of resources will increase as the world’s population grows.

The significance of energy to economic

-Sports people and those who are employed in more physically demanding jobs, such as labouring, require higher intake of food as they burn more energy

-Energy heats our homes, is used to manufacture goods,process food and power transport

-Pressure on the supply of resources will increase as the world’s population grows.

Global inequalities in supply and consumption of resources

-Most suppliers are NEEs and LICs. LICs for grocery exports since economy is the income of agriculture.

-Whilst for NEEs is the manufacturing of goods( industrail).

-But for HICs, they do little to no supply but majority of the consumption since they can buy the goods and have a fast growing population.

Overview of consumption of resources in the UK

Food: The daily calorie intake in the UK is estimated to be 3400

Water: The daily water consumption of the average person in the UK is estimated to be 150 litres

Energy: Oil is the primary energy consumption, 47.5% and Natural gas is 29%. Coal and gas seems to be the main electricity generation for the UK, with a mix of coal and renewables.

Food Resources in the UK - Part 1

-50% of the total amount of food, thrown away in the UK comes from our homes

-10% of the weekly shop is binned

-UK imports 40% of the total food consumed and this is increasing

Why does the UK import so much food?

-Demand for greater choice and more exotic foods

-Demand for seasonal produce all year round,such as strawberries and apples

-UK produced food can be expensive because of poor harvests and the price of animal feed, so cheaper food from abroad imported by supermarkets who compete for low prices.

Why does the UK import so much food? - LICs Impacts

-Less land is available for locals to grow food

-Crops need huge amounts of water where water supply is unreliable

-Expose to chemicals without protective clothing

Why does the UK import so much food? - LICs Opportunities

-Jobs opportunities for the locals

-Jobs supply wages for locals

-From the incomes, taxes are paid to the government, which fund facilities for the countries.

Vegetables from Kenya

Sugar snap peas is Kenya’s biggest source of income

Kenyan farmers only earn a fraction of the prices

Producer - 12% of final price

Supermarket - 48% of final price

Food Resources in the UK Part 2

Food contributes to 17% of the UK’s carbon footprint

the transport used to import food into the UK adds over 14 million tonnes of CO2 to the atmospehere each year

Food Resources in the UK - Example

Example: Tomatoes, including air transport from Spain,the carbon footprint of producing tomatoes in Britain is bigger than in Spain due to the fact that the greenhouses need heating far more

This effect can be reduced somewhat by clever design but also by using wasted heat from other sources such as power generation; this is what is done by Thanet Earth,Kent.

Organic food in the UK

Organic food and drink sales are dwarfed by the overall grocery market, holding only 1.4% share by value. in the last two years, organic sales value has increase faster than overall grocery.

Agribusiness

An agribusiness is one where agricultural production is treated like a large industrial industrial scale business, it favours large scale industrial output managed across combined farms instead if small family farms.

Agribusiness in the UK( Second half of the 20th century)

The rise of agribusiness has led to a number of changes to farms:

• Removing hedgerows to make larger fields for larger machinery and more land for production.

• The amalgamation of small family farms into bigger commercial properties.

• Use of the lastest technology, better seeds, increased use of fertilisers and pesticides etc.

This has led to increased food production and cheaper products for consumers but at a massive cost to the environment and jobs in agriculture..

Agriculture in the UK (early 21st century)

There are two contrasting movements in UK agriculture:

-An increasing move towards agribusiness and industrialisation.

-A move back to smaller scale farmer based production with niche,local products created for wealthy consumers at farmers markets and up market delis.

This is starting to contribute to growing food inequality in different populations in the UK.

The challenge of resource management: Energy in the UK

Since 1970, energy consumption has decreased, households use 12% less energy and Heavy Industry uses 60% less. This because we have become more energy efficient technologies and use renewable energy sources more.

Energy in the UK: Fracking

Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is the process of extracting natural gas from shale rock layers deep within.

Fracking makes it possible to produce natural gas in shale areas that were once unreachable.

Horizontal drilling allows for the injection of highly pressurised fracking fluid into the are which create more channels within the rock from which natural gas is extracted at higher rates.

Advantages of Fracking

• Gas is a cheaper source of energy

• Natural gas produces less CO2 than coal based power stations

• Less reliant on foreign countries

Disadvantages of Fracking

• Harmful water pumps into ground,water supplies.

• Harmful toxins such as methane released into air.

• Can cause Earthquakes, in 2011 and 2013 earthquakes in Blackpool occurred where fracking happened.

UK ‘s Energy Mix

• Fossil fuels make up majority of Energy mix, with coal making up 31% and gas making up 25%

• Renewable making up 22% of the Energy Mix

Reduced domestic supplies of Coal,Gas and Oil

-1980’s/90 many coal mines ran out of profitable coal, cheaply produced coal was imported from Poland, Australia. There are only 10 deep mines in the UK today.

-Oil and gas comes from British North Sea offshore field and the Middle East, in 2008 the UK was 14th biggest producer of oil and gas but yields have decreased.

-EU regulations state all governments should reduce their reliance on imported fuels and reduce carbon emissions.The UK is doing this by investing in renewable sources such as wind and solar energy.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Economic Challenges - Fossil fuels

• Remaining coal is in hard-to access areas often deep underground which is very expensive to mine.

• Emissions from fossil fuels can also cause respiratory diseases again incurring a cost.

• Cost of exploring more remote and inaccesible areas in the North Sea or costs of drilling in heavily populated areas(Sussex) or sensitive areas(Dorset)

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Environmental Challenges - Fossil fuels

• Burning of fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases which may contribute to climate change and causes acid rain

• Opencast coal mines are unsightly and create dust and noise, disturbing local people and wildlife.

• Access roads and support industries for all of these can destroy wildlife habitats and impact on land visually.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Economic Opportunities - Fossil fuels

Creation of jobs directly, in support industries and in the manufacture of equipment. It can bring money and jobs to an area - a multiplier effect

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Environmental Opportunities - Fossil fuels

Carbon captive storage(CCS) is more efficient but expensive

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Economic Challenges - Nuclear

Costs of building nuclear power stations are huge and there are enormous costs to store and transport nuclear waste. It is also expensive to decommission a power station.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Environmental Challenges - Nuclear

Waste most be stored safely for many years to avoid contamination. Environments can be considerably dangerous if an accident occurs. Nuclear accidents can lead to the release of radiation into the atmosphere which can have long-term detrimental impact on wildlife and people.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Economic Opportunities - Nuclear

Create jobs in research and development for new technologies in the nuclear power industry. After initial investment, energy generated by nuclear power is seen to be cheaper.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Environmental Opportunities - Nuclear

Nuclear power is considered cleaner and less polluting than energy generated by fossil fuels.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Economic Challenges - Renewable

High set up costs of renewable energy sources, especially in remote areas suitable for this type of energy generation. Job creation in the research and development of new technology, e.g more efficient wind turbines. Impact on the visual environment can impact on tourism and reduce income and jobs. Low probability is also a concern.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Environmental Challenges - Renewable

Wind turbines can effect bird migration patterns and bat life in the area. Turbines located at sea are believed to impact on sea currents and on fish and bird life. Many people consider wind turbines ugly Wind turbines and the associated access roads can impact on untouched land such as the Highlands of Scotland.They can also block TV and phone signals.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Economic Opportunities- Renewable

Many jobs are created in the manufacture of solar panels and wind turbines along with jobs in research and development.

Economic and Environmental issues of energy production: Environmental Opportunities- Renewable

Produce lower carbon emissions. Land used for wind turbines can also support other uses, such as farming. Offshore wind turbines can act as an artificial reef, creating a habitats for marine life.

Water Deficit

Areas which do not have enough water for the needs of the population and may suffer from shortages

Water Surplus

Places where they have more water than they need.

Water Stress

The water available us not sufficient to meet the needs of the population, or is poor quality

Global Pattern of Water surplus and deficit

Around the tropic of cancer, majority of areas with water deficit are located in North Africa.

In the northern hemisphere, majority of areas of water surplus are located in North America

Why water consumption is increasing

The world’s population is increasing roughly by 80 million each year.

Global demand for food is expected to increase by 70% by 2050.On average it takes 1800 litres of water to grow 1kg of wheat compared to 9500 litres of water for 1 kg of beef.

All sources of energy require water in their production. Global energy consumption is expected to increase by 50% by 2035.

Factors that affect the availability of water: Climate

The areas with most available water are those with tropical or temperate humid climates.Most mountainous areas also receive large amounts of precipitation. A climate that is hot and dry will increase the amount of water that is consumed.

Factors that affect the availability of water: Geology

If the rock is permeable then important groundwater supplies are stored. If the rock isn’t permeable, then water isn’t stored

Factors that affect the availability of water: Over-abstraction

Occurs when pumping from rivers, lakes and beneath the ground takes place at a rate faster than it is being replenished by rainfall.This leads to sinking water tables, empty wells and higher pumping costs.

Factors that affect the availability of water: Poverty

Often prevents people from having access to safe water. Water available to the poor comes mainly from wells,rivers and standpipes.

Factors that affect the availability of water: Limited infrastructure

Poorer countries may lack the infrastructure needed for transporting and, or collecting water to areas of need.

Factors that affect the availability of water: Pollution

Causes water supplies to become unfit for human use and thus leads to there being less safe water available.

Impacts of Water Security: Waterborne diseases

Contamination of drinking water can cause outbreaks of disease:

Cholera - Resulting dehydration can be fatal. There are over 3 million cases of cholera every year

Dysentery - Both cholera and dysentery cause diarrhoea vomiting and stomach cramps.In Africa, diarrhoea kills almost one in five children before their fifth birthday.

Malaria

Impacts of Water Security: Water Pollution

The River Ganges - flows through northern India and Bangladesh. Over 1 billion litres of raw sewage enter the river each day.Pollution of the Ganges has become so serious that it’s dangerous to consume or drink from the river.

Mercury from mining in Niger Delta a region in Nigeria) spills into the waterways, causing the rates of miscarriages and deformities to quadruple, due to consumption of the contaminated fish.

Oil such as Benzopyrene, seep into the Athabasca River from the vast canadian tar sands in Alberta, located in western Canada,  resulting in 30% higher average blood and lymphatic cancer rates.

Impacts of Water Security: Food Production

Agriculture uses 70% of global water supply. Drier regions of the world with unreliable rainfall are most at risk. Livestock quality may also decline if there is not sufficient water for them to drink, or for growth of crops. 

Impacts of Water Security: Industrial output

Industry needs water for all stages of production, as water is used as a raw material, a method of transport, and sometimes a source for energy. Areas that experience water insecurity are unable to operate factories and make products. This leaves them relying on imports, which is expensive.

MUMBAI (India): Ongoing water scarcity especially in Maharashtra, one of the most industrialised states in India is expected to have a negative impact on industrial production in the next 2-3 months.

How is Water Quality in the UK managed: Legislation

The UK and EU have strict laws, they ensure factories and farms are limited in the amount and type of discharge they put into rivers.

How is Water Quality in the UK managed: Education campaigns

These inform the public about the damage caused by putting inappropriate items into the sewage systems, such as engine oil and baby wipes, and advise how to dispose of them correctly.

How is Water Quality in the UK managed: Waste water treatments

Local water treatment plants remove suspended solids such as silt and soil, bacteria, algae, chemicals and minerals, to produce clean water for human consumption.

How is Water Quality in the UK managed: Building better treatment plants and investing in new infrastructure

Better sewers and water means it can prevent spills and accidents, but can lead to higher water and sewage bills to pay for the investment

How is Water Quality in the UK managed:Pollution traps

E.g. when new roads are built close to rivers and watercourses reed beds are often installed to ‘catch’ and filter out the pollution.

How is Water Quality in the UK managed: Green roofs and walls

In cities, new buildings often have these roofs to filter out the pollutants naturally in rainwater. They also offer excellent sustainable water management. This reduces the risk of flooding by reducing runoff from the roof. 

Impacts of Water Security: Conflict

Because water is in short supply, it is becoming a valuable resource, meaning that countries may come into conflicts over it. A total of 150 water treaties have been signed in the last 50 years to deal with this. The last 50 years have also had 37 violent water-based disputes.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is under construction at the north of the Nile. It is a source of tension with countries like Sudan and Egypt who live downstream and depend on the Nile for water. 

Water transfer schemes

movement of water from areas of surplus to deficit.Water can be moved via pipelines e.g. Water from mountains of mid-Wales (due to heavy rainfall),and the River Severn supplies water to large urban populations in the West Midlands. Some of its water is diverted near Gloucester and moved by canal, to supply ½ the city of Bristol's water.

Water Storage

Supplies can be stored over longer periods. For example in some parts of the world surface water evaporates quickly and is lost. This water can be stored in deep reservoirs or in permeable rocks (aquifers) underground. Oklahoma, USA, rainfall infrequent but heavy – surface water quickly evaporates so it is collected and diverted into underlying alluvial soils where it can be stored.

Dams and Reservoirs

Dams control water flow in rivers by storing water in reservoirs. They can be created by constructing dams across valleys. Rainfall can be collected and stored when it is plentiful and then released gradually during drier periods. The control of water flow enables it to be transported and used for irrigation. It helps to prevent flooding. Dams range widely in size. There are huge, multipurpose dams like the Three Gorges Dam in China. Small earth or cement dams a few metres high are common in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Desalinisation

removal of salt and other minerals from the water. Produces fresh water suitable for human consumption and irrigation.  Requires high tech equipment and knowledge therefore only available to the worlds wealthiest countries – however this is changing. As a result of high water prices and cheaper technology many more are looking into desalinisation.  Countries making the most of treated sea water include – Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. Most recently also Japan, Spain and the USA. 

Process of Desalinisation

1.Seawater Intake: Seawater is drawn in from the ocean through specially designed intake structures at very low speeds.

2.Filtration: Pre-treatment filters remove solids such as sand and sediment.

3.Reverse Osmosis: Filtered seawater passes through two stages of reverse osmosis, where it’s pushed through ultra-fine membranes under high pressure. Fresh water will pass through leaving the seawater concentration.

4.Remineralisation: Desalinated water is remineralised to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and Victorian Health requirements.

5.Storage: Drinking water is stored before it is distributed into the Melbourne and regional water networks, it may be blended with water from existing catchments.

6.Seawater concentrate is safely returned to the ocean though diffuser structure. Ocean currents dilute the concentrate within seconds.

The Lesotho Water Project, South Africa:

The LWP is a large scale water transfer scheme in South Africa. On completion, 40% of the water from the Segu (Orange) River in Lesotho will be transported to the Rival Vaal in South Africa.Involving the construction of dams, reservoirs and pipelines as well as roads, bridges and other infrastructure developments. It will take 30 years to complete.

The Polihali Dam will hold 2.2 billion m 3 of water with a 38km transfer tunnel. By 2020 there will be 200km of tunnels and 2000 million m3 of water will be transferred to South Africa each year.

The Lesotho Water Project, South Africa: Advantages - Lesotho

• Provides 75% of its GDP.

• Improvements to transport infrastructure with access roads built to the construction sites

• Supplies the country with all its hydro-electric power requirements.

• Income from the scheme helps development and improve the standard of living.

• Water supply will reach 90% of the population of the capital, Maseru.

• Sanitation coverage will increase from 15 to 20%

The Lesotho Water Project, South Africa: Disadvantages - Lesotho

• Corruption has prevented money and investment reaching those affected by the construction.

• Construction of the Polihali Dam will displace 17 villages and reduce agricultural land for 71 villages.

• Building of the first two dams meant 30,000 people had to move from their land.

• Destruction of a unique wetland ecosystem due to control of regular flooding downstream of the dams

The Lesotho Water Project, South Africa: Advantages - South Africa

• Fresh water reduces the acidity of the Vaal River Reservoir.

• Provides safe water for the 10% of the population without access to a safe water supply

• Provides water to an area with an uneven rainfall pattern and regular droughts

• The influx of water from Lesotho is restoring the balance

The Lesotho Water Project, South Africa: Disadvantages - South Africa

• Water pollution from industry, gold mines and sewage was destroying the local ecosystem.

• Costs are likely to reach US$4 billion.

• Increased water tariffs to pay for the scheme are too high for the poorest people 40% of water is lost through leakages.

• Corruption has plagued the whole project

Strategies for Sustainable Water Use: Grey Water

Grey water is taken from bathroom sinks, baths, showers and washing machines. If used within 24 hours, it can be valuable fertiliser for plants. Water from toilets is considered to be ‘black’ water and cannot be used in the same way. It can certainly be returned safely to groundwater. grey water reuse systems are not common because;

• Expensive – cost a lot to install and payback period may be longer

• Quality of the water – after some basic treatment it is usually clean enough to flush a toilet. But if left to long in a storage tank, the quality decreases as bacteria levels rise.

In Jordan – 70% of the water for irrigation and gardens is grey water.

Strategies for Sustainable Water Use: Recycling

This is sewage water that has been treated to remove solids and impurities. It can be used:

• To irrigate crops

• To meet industrial needs

• For drinking

• To top up rivers where stream flow is low

• To recharge groundwater aquifers

Large quantities of recycled water are used for cooling in electricity-generating and steel making plants. Example: Australian power stations recycled water replaces enough fresh water to fill an Olympic size swimming pool. Example 2: In Kolkata, India, sewage water is reused for fish farming and agriculture. Sewage is pumped into shallow lagoons where sunlight helps algae photosynthesis. This oxygenates the water so it can be used again.

Strategies for Sustainable Water Use: Appropriate Technology

In lower-income countries, in areas of water deficit, appropriate technology that is small scale, locally controlled and sustainable can be used to increase the quality and quantity of water. Appropriate Technology available to communities includes;

• Hand dug wells – these are up to 15 metres deep to reach aquifers

• Rainwater catchment – rooftop gutters to collect water into a holding bank

• Water purification – removes contaminants from water stores

• Subsurface or sand dams – sand and water collects behind a small concrete dam; filtered water can be dug out when required

• Gravity fed systems – use of gravity to move water downhill into a community from a river or spring

• Latrines and toilets – prevent water pollution, reduce spread of disease and improve sanitation for 2.5 billion people

Strategies for Sustainable Water Use: Groundwater Management

Groundwater stored in underground aquifers needs to be managed to maintain the quality and quantity of the water. Its aim is to ensure supplies do not become heavily stressed by over use and pollution. Groundwater management needs some sort of authority in overall control.

Example 1: In rural India, 50% of water for irrigation and 85% for drinking is groundwater. Communities are encouraged to conserve water from their wells, train locals to record groundwater levels, help farmers to plan when and how to irrigate and encourage farmers to plant crops to fit in with annual periods when water is available.

Example 2: Coca Cola is a company which have switched to sprinkler systems – reduced water needed by 50%

Groundwater Management methods:

Cutting back on domestic use: People need to become more ‘water aware’ by cutting down on domestic use, to minimise our individual water footprints.

Stopping Leakages: As an example, every day in England and Wales more than 3.3 billion litres of water – 20% of the water supply is lost through leaking pipes. This loss would meet the daily needs of 21.5 million people.

Improving irrigation practices: Irrigation is one of the least efficient uses of water. Irrigation water needs to be distributed through low pressure pipes instead of open canals. Drip irrigation of crops is more water-efficient than spray irrigation. With the latter much is lost through evaporation and only a small proportion actually reaches the roots of crops.

Controlling Pollution: In the more developed world, industry is often the largest consumer of water. It is also the largest polluter. Too many factories discharge liquid wastes into streams and rivers. Lethal agricultural chemicals also enter watercourses by seepage or runoff. Once water becomes polluted, it cannot be safely used for other purposes.

A local sustainable scheme in LIC : Ethiopia, Hitosa

Hitosa is a largely rural area located 160 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia . Ethiopia, in the north-east of Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Prior to the water scheme, the people collected their water from a few shallow, largely seasonal rivers and one spring.

The gravity-fed water scheme began in the 1990s. It Involves taking water from permanent springs high on the slopes of Mount Bada, a mountain reaching to over 4,000 meters above sea level: the springwater flows through 140 kilometers of pipeline to over 100 public water points (known as tap stands)and nearly 150 private connections largely related to agriculture.

A local sustainable scheme in LIC : Ethiopia, Hitosa - Advantages

• Over 65,000 people are supplied with 25 litres of water a day.

• The project is completely managed by local communities.

• Cattle fattening has become one of a number of new businesses in the area. Finally, the time spent collecting water from rivers has been vastly reduced.

A local sustainable scheme in LIC : Ethiopia, Hitosa - Disadvantages

• The pipeline, supplied from the UK, may be too costly to replace after its expected lifetime of 30 years.

• The scheme did not include any accompanying education about hygiene and sanitation. Hygiene around the tap stands has been neglected,so the risk of disease has increased.

• The availability of water has encouraged migration,which means that the scheme is now expected to meet the water needs of well over 65,000 people.threatening the sustainability of the project.

• People are charged a (small) amount for the water