the challenge of resource management

• resource challenges

  resources are things that humans require for life or to make our lives easier. humans are becoming increasingly dependant on exploiting these resources and as a result they are in high demand.
• significance of resources

  resources such as food, energy and water are what is needed for basic human development

  food = without enough nutritious food, people can become malnourished. this can make them ill. this can prevent people from working or receiving education

  water = people need a supply of clean and safe water for drinking, cooking and washing. water is also needed for food, clothes and other products.

  energy = a good supply of energy is needed for a basic standard of living. people need light and heat for cooking or to stay warm. it is also needed for industry.
• demand outstripping supply

  the demand for resources like food, water and energy is rising so quickly that supply can not always keep up. importantly, access to these resources vary dramatically in different locations.
• demand outstripping supply reason

  population growth = currently the global population is 7.3 billion, it has risen exponentially this century. it is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050. with more people the demand for food, water, energy, jobs and space will increase
• demand outstripping supply reason

  economic development = as LICs and NEEs develop further, they require more energy for industry. LICs and NEEs want similar lifestyles to HICs, therefore they will need to consume more resources. development means more water is required for food production as diets improve.
• demand outstripping supply graph

  resource reliance graph = consumption is the act of using up resources or purchasing goods and produce. carry capacity is a maximum number of species that can be supported. resource consumption exceed earths ability to provide.
• remand outstripping supply reason

  changing technology and employment = the demand for resources has driven the need for new technology to reach or gain more resources. more people in the secondary or tertiary industry has increased the demand for resources required for electronics and robotics.
• food in the uk

  growing demand = the uk imports about 40% of its food, this increases peoples carbon footprint. there is a growing demand for greater choice of exotic foods needed all year round. food from abroad are more affordable. many food types are unsuitable to be grown in the uk.
• food in the uk

  impact of demand = foods can travel long distances (food miles). importing food adds to our carbon footprint.

  +supports workers with an income. supports families in LICs. taxes from farmers incomes contribute to local services.

  -less land for locals to grow own food. farmers exposed to chemicals.
• food in the uk

  agribusiness = farming is being treated like a large industrial business, this is increasing food production.

  +intensive farming maximises the amount of food produced. using machinery which increases the farmers efficiency.

  -only employs a small number of workers. chemicals used on farms damages the habitats of wildlife.
• food in the uk

  sustainable foods = organic foods that have little impact on the environment and are healthier have been rising. local food sourcing is also rising in popularity.

  • reduces emissions by only eating food from the uk. buying locally sourced food supports local shops and farms. 1/3 of people grow their own food.
• energy in the uk

  growing demand = the uk consumes less energy compares to the 1970s despite a smaller population. this is due to the decline in industry.
• energy in the uk

  energy mix = the majority of the uks energy mix comes from fossil fuels. by 2020, the UK aims for 15% of its energy to come from renewable sources. these renewable sources do not contribute to climate change.
• energy in the uk

  changes in energy mix = 75% of the uks oil and gas has been used up. coal consumption has declined. uk has become too dependent on imported energy.
• energy in the uk

  significance of renewables = + the uk government is investing more into low carbon alternatives. uk government aims to meet targets for reducing emissions. renewable sources include wind, solar and tidal energy. -although infinite, renewables are still expensive to install. shale gas deposits may be exploited in the near future.
• energy in the uk

  exploitation = nuclear + new plants provide job opportunities -problems with safety and possible harm to wildlife. nuclear plants are expensive. wind farm + locals have low energy bills. reduces carbon footprint. -construction cost is high. visual impacts on landscape. noise from wind turbines.
• water in the uk

  growing demand = the average water used per household has risen by 70% this growing demand is predicted to increase by 5% by 2020. This is due to a growing UK population, water intensive appliances, shower and baths taken, industrial and leisure use, watering greenhouses
• water in the uk

  deficit and surplus = the north and west have a water surplus (more water than is required). the south and east have a water deficit (more water needed then is actually available). more than half of england is experiencing water stress (where demand exceeds supply).
• water in the uk

  pollution and quality = cause and affects include: Chemical run-off from farmland can destroy habitat and kill animals. oil from boats and ships poisons the wildlife. untreated waste from industries creates unsafe drinking water. sewage containing bacteria spreads infectious diseases.
• water in the uk

  management = uk has strict laws that limits the amount of discharge from factories and farms. education campaigns to inform what can be disposed of safely. waste and water treatment plants remove dangerous elements to them be used for safe drinking. pollution traps catch and filter pollutants
• water in the uk

  water transfer = water transfer involves moving water through pipes from areas of surplus (Wales) to areas a deficit (London) opposition includes: affects on land and wildlife, high maintenance costs, amount of energy required to move water over long distances.
• water

  water security = when people have good access to enough clean water sustain well-being and good health.

  water insecurity = when areas are without sufficient water supplies.

  water stress = when less than 1700 m³ is available per person.
• global water patterns

  Countries along the equator have enough water. warm, moist air rises there, which causes high levels of rainfall. countries to the north of the equator (at a latitude of approximately 30°) have physical water scarcity this is when there isnt enough water/rainfall cooler dry air falls here so it is very arid. countries with the highest latitude (furthest from equator) have enough rain to provide plenty of freshwater. exceptions to this rule exist in countries with high population density e.g. uk or countries where poverty causes economic water scarcity e.g. nigeria.
• impact of water scarcity

  food production = the less water available for irrigating crops, the less food that will be produced, this could lead to starvation.

  industrial output = manufacturing industries depend heavily on water. a severe lack of water can impact economic output.

  disease and water pollution = inadequate sanitation system pollute drinking water causing diseases such as cholera and typhoia.

  water conflict = water sources that cross natural borders can create tensions and even war between countries.
• increasing water supply

  water diversion = involves diverting water to be stored for longer periods. often is pumped underground to prevent evaporation.

  dams and reservoirs = dams control flow and storage of water. water is released during times of water deficit.

  water transfer = includes schemes to move water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit.

  desalination = involves the extraction of salt from seawater to produce fresh drinking water.
• sustainable water supply

  ensures water supplies don't cause damage to environment whilst also supporting the local economy.

  water conservation = aims to reduce the amount of water wasted.

  groundwater management = involves the monitoring of extracting groundwater. laws can be introduced.

  recycling and grey water = means taking water that has already been used and using it again rather than returning it to a river or the sea. this includes water taken from bathrooms and washing machines
• factors affecting water availability

  human = pollution caused from human and industrial waste being dumped into peoples water sources. poverty prevents low income families affording water. limited infrastructure means lack of pipes and sewers. over abstraction is when more water is taken than is replaced.

  physical = climate needs to provide enough rain to feed lakes and rivers. drought affect supply. geology permeable rocks sourcing water from difficult aquifers. impermeable allows water to run off into easily collected basins.
• increasing demand for water 1st reason

  water consumption has been rising globally over time, there are two main reasons for this:

  rising population = everyone needs water to survive. water makes up 60% of a persons body weight and it is needed for all bodily functions. people also use water for hygiene, cooking, cleaning. the world population is increasing, but there is only a fixed amount of fresh water available for people to use.
• increasing demand for water 2nd reason

  economic development = as countries develop, their water use increases. people in wealthier nations have water delivered into their homes via pipeline. modern appliances (e.g. dishwashers, washing machines) use a lot of water. commercial agriculture, industrial and tourism in HICs consume vast quantities of water to, the water footprint of HICs is much higher than LICs. as more countries develop, the demand of water will increase.