Resource management and the UKs resources

• Too few calories


  Can lead to malnourishment and starvation and can increase the likelihood of getting diseases
• Water

  • Essential for drinking, washing, sanitation and cooking
  • Needed for industrial and manufacturing processes
• Factors increasing water demand in the UK

  • Domestic Use
  • Agriculture
  • Industry
  • Population Growth
• As wealth increases

  More people can afford appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, which use a lot of water
• Water use in agriculture

  Vital for irrigation, demand for earlier seasonal food also means crops require extra watering
• Water use in industry

  Most water extracted directly from freshwater sources is used for energy production, water is also needed for manufacturing
• The UK population is expected to increase by 3.6 million over the next 10 years, which will significantly increase the demand for water
• Overall, the UK has a water surplus, however, areas with the greatest population density, and the highest demand for water, do not necessarily have the greatest water supply
• Mid Wales

  • Sparsely populated, but experiences high amounts of rainfall, demand for water is lower than the supply so there is a water surplus
• South-east England

  • Most densely populated part of the UK, but also the driest, demand for water is higher than the supply so there is a water deficit
• Water transfer schemes

  Water is transported from areas of surplus to areas of deficit
• Kielder Water Scheme

  • Regional transfer system that allows water from Kielder Reservoir in the north-west (an area of water surplus) to be released into the Rivers Tyne, Derwent, Wear and Tees so it can be redistributed to areas of water deficit
• Water transfer can be very expensive and cause other problems, including disrupting ecosystems, displacing communities, and causing water insecurity in the source area
• Over 70% of the UK's water is considered polluted or of poor quality
• Causes of water pollution in the UK

  • Agriculture chemicals (nitrates from fertilisers and pesticides)
  • Industrial developments (leaking pollutants and chemicals)
  • Oil spills, shipping or run-off
  • Sewage
  • Litter
• The effects of water pollution can be catastrophic, toxins and pollutants can destroy ecosystems by poisoning wildlife and marine life, and the bacteria in sewage can result in the spread of diseases
• Strategies used to manage the UK's water quality

  • Legislation (restricting waste from farmers and industry)
  • Education (about littering and proper waste disposal)
  • Water treatment (filtering and disinfecting polluted water)
  • Investment in infrastructure (new sewage works and improved piping)
• UK's energy mix

  • Coal
  • Gas
  • Oil
  • Nuclear power
• Fossil fuel reserves are declining, and efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• A big shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, is occurring
• The UK government aims to have 30% of its energy mix made up of renewable energy by 2020
• Coal production has decreased dramatically since the discovery of the North Sea gas reserves in the 1980s and increased pressure to reduce CO2 emissions
• The UK has natural gas and oil reserves in the North Sea, but these supplies are rapidly running out
• One possible resource is shale gas reserves, but to access this gas, the controversial process of fracking is being considered
• Economic value created by the energy sector

  • £24 billion in 2016
  • Supported over 700,000 jobs in 2016
• Economic Issues


  • Initial set-up of renewable energy resources and nuclear energy are very expensive
  • Fossil fuels will become more expensive as they become scarcer and harder to extract
  • Renewable energy sources are not as reliable as fossil fuels
  • Nuclear power is risky, and the storing and transporting of dangerous nuclear waste is extremely expensive
• Environmental Issues

  • Fracking for shale gas can cause pollution and small earthquakes
  • Burning fossil fuels releases CO2 which contributes to the greenhouse effect
  • Hydroelectric power (HEP) requires dams to be built which can destroy ecosystems
  • Wind farms and power stations can spoil the natural landscape
• Today, almost 50% of food in UK supermarkets is imported from overseas
• Higher incomes, more varied diets and increased immigration


  Have also led to more demand for high-value organic foods and exotic foods produced in LICs
• Exotic foods produced in LICs

  • Avocados - £145.6 million worth bought in UK supermarkets in 2015, a 31% increase on the previous year
• Carbon footprint


  The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to support human activities
• Each year in the UK, food travels around 30 billion km before it is consumed
• To reduce the UK's carbon footprint

  1. Campaigns such as "Buy British' have been launched to encourage people to buy locally sourced produce

  2. Many schools take part in campaigns (e.g. Heinz 'Grow Your Own') to help children learn how to grow fruit and vegetables
• Agribusiness


  The application of business skills to agriculture
• Agribusiness


  • Farms are treated like industrial businesses, producing large amounts of food as efficiently as possible to reduce costs
  • Hedgerows are removed to create larger farms, reducing biodiversity
  • Manual labour is replaced by machinery, leading to job losses and greater greenhouse gas emissions
  • Chemical pesticides and fertilisers increase pollution and kill wildlife