Resource Management - GCSE Geography

1. Food

Food Miles

• Why they are important:

  • Measure the environmental impact of transporting food from where it is grown to where it is consumed.

  • High food miles contribute to a larger carbon footprint.

• Advantages:

  • Access to diverse, exotic, or out-of-season foods.

  • Can support farmers in developing countries.

• Disadvantages:

  • Significant greenhouse gas emissions from transport.

  • Dependency on imports can be unsustainable and risky in global crises.

Agribusiness

• Why it is important:

  • Large-scale, intensive farming to maximize food production and meet growing demand.

• Advantages:

  • Efficient and high-yield food production.

  • Utilizes modern technology to reduce labor needs.

• Disadvantages:

  • Heavy use of chemicals harms ecosystems.

  • Loss of biodiversity and small-scale farmers struggling to compete.

Organic Farming

• Why it is important:

  • Avoids synthetic chemicals and focuses on sustainability.

• Advantages:

  • Environmentally friendly and supports biodiversity.

  • Produces healthier food options without pesticides.

• Disadvantages:

  • More labor-intensive, leading to higher costs.

  • Lower yields compared to intensive farming.

Global Food Insecurity

• Impacts:

  • Famine: Widespread food shortages lead to malnutrition and death (e.g., Ethiopia, Somalia).

  • Undernutrition: Poor diet lacking essential nutrients affects work, health, and education.

  • Soil Erosion: Overcultivation and deforestation reduce land fertility.

  • Social Unrest: High food prices can lead to riots and instability.

• Solutions:

  • Irrigation: Provides water to dry areas, increasing yield but costly to maintain.

  • Biotechnology: GM crops resist pests and grow in harsher climates.

  • Urban Farming: Reduces food miles and educates urban populations.

  • Appropriate Technology: Affordable, small-scale tools for local farmers.

2. Water

Water Surplus and Deficit in the UK

• Surplus:

  • Found in regions like North West England where rainfall exceeds demand.

• Deficit:

  • Seen in South East England due to lower rainfall and higher population density.

Water Grid Proposal

• Idea: Transfer water from surplus areas to deficit regions.

• Issues:

  • High costs.

  • Environmental damage during construction.

  • Greenhouse gas emissions from pumping water over long distances.

Pollution Sources

• Causes:

  • Industrial discharge into rivers.

  • Fertilizer runoff from farmland.

  • Leaching from mines.

  • Power station cooling water being discharged into rivers.

• Solutions:

  • Filter water to remove sediment.

  • Purify using chlorine.

  • Use grey water and recycle waste water.

3. Energy

Energy Mix in the UK

• Definition: Combination of energy sources used in the UK, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables.

• Current Challenges:

  • Fossil fuel reserves (like coal) are depleting.

  • By 2020, 75% of energy was expected to be imported, raising energy security concerns.

Fossil Fuels vs Renewables

• Fossil Fuels:

  • Pros:

    • Existing infrastructure supports fossil fuel use.

    • Cheap coal imports available.

  • Cons:

    • High greenhouse gas emissions.

    • Finite resources.

• Renewables (e.g., Wind, Solar, Tidal):

  • Pros:

    • Low emissions and sustainable.

    • Decrease dependency on imports.

  • Cons:

    • High upfront costs for installation.

    • Intermittent supply depending on weather conditions.

4. Case Studies

Indus Basin Irrigation System

• Advantages:

  • Provides water for over 14 million hectares of farmland.

  • Increases crop yield and food security.

  • Generates hydroelectric power (HEP) from main dams.

  • Supports fish farming, providing protein for local populations.

• Disadvantages:

  • Farmers downstream suffer water shortages.

  • High temperatures lead to water loss.

  • Poor irrigation management wastes water.

  • Salinization damages soil quality.

  • Expensive to maintain reservoirs.

Makueni Food Programme

• Methods:

  • Sand dams collect rainwater, improving water security.

  • SMART agriculture uses techniques like crop rotation and permanent ground cover to protect soil.

  • Tree planting reduces soil erosion and improves soil fertility.

• Successes:

  • Increased crop yields.

  • Reduced soil erosion and waterborne diseases.

  • Children miss less school due to reduced time spent collecting water.

• Limitations:

  • Tanks and dams can be expensive for some.

  • Small-scale initiatives have limited national economic impact.

5. Practice Questions Answered

How can food security be improved?

• Use strategies like irrigation, biotechnology (GM crops), and urban farming to increase yields.

• Educate farmers on appropriate technology and sustainable practices.

• Reduce food waste with better storage, refrigeration, and recycling.

To what extent is local food sourcing sustainable in the UK?

• Advantages:

  • Reduces food miles and carbon footprint.

  • Supports local economies.

• Disadvantages:

  • Seasonal produce limits availability.

  • Higher costs compared to imported goods.

Evaluate the pros and cons of large-scale agricultural development.

• Pros:

  • High yields to feed large populations.

  • Utilizes advanced technology and economies of scale.

• Cons:

  • Environmental damage from fertilizers and pesticides.

  • Displacement of small-scale farmers.