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.

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.