UK Challenges

The material covered in this booklet will not be taught during

lesson time, but will be in your exam. It is your responsibility over
the Easter holiday to work through this booklet to ensure that you
have the required skills and knowledge.
1. Resource consumption and sustainability
 Changes to the UK’s population
 Pressure on UK ecosystems
 Addressing the issues

2. Sustainable transport options in the UK

 Available options
 Nitrogen pollution in Greater London

3. Settlement, population, and economic challenges

 The ‘two speed economy’
 Greenfield and Brownfield development

4. Migration and the UK

 Patterns of migration change
 Reasons for migration
 The view of different groups

5. The UK’s landscape challenges

 UK National Parks
 River flood risk in the UK

6. UK Coastal challenges
 Storm surges, December 2013
 Addressing coastal flood risk in the UK

7. The UK’s climate challenges

 How will global climate change affect the UK’s climate?
 Impacts of climate change on the UK

8. Responses to climate change

 Local scale
 National scale

9. Key terms and glossary (any terms underlined you need to find
definitions for and add these to this glossary)
 1. Resource consumption and sustainability
Changes in the UK’s population
The population of the UK is currently over 64 million, and through a combination of
natural increase and migration, it continues to rise. The issue of immigration and the
pressures that this will place on resources of the UK is a political issue that divides
opinion across the country.
Below is a table detailing the projected rise in population between 2015 and 2035. On
the outline of the map provided, identify the population increase for each country
compared to 2015. For example, if the population of Wales rises from 3 million to 3.1
million, this is an increase of 100,000 people during that time.

2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

UK 64.8 67.2 69.4 71.4 73.2
England 54.5 56.6 58.6 60.4 62.1
Wales 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.4
Scotland 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8
Northern 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.0
Ireland

Population increase by 2020

Population increase by 2020

Population increase by 2025

Population increase by 2025

Population increase by 2035 Population increase by 2035

Population increase by 2020

Population increase by 2020

Population increase by 2025

Population increase by 2025

Population increase by 2035

Population increase by 2035

Figure 1

Question:
 Using the above graph and map answer the following question: By how much is the UK’s
population expected to grow by 2035, and in which part of the UK is it expected to
increase the most ? (4 marks)
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Figure 2
Figure 2 illustrates the energy use by sector between 1970 and 2010. The green line
illustrates a decrease in industrial energy consumption that is expected to continue to
decline to less than 20,000 Million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2035.
Question:
Why might industrial energy use be expected to decrease over the next 20 years despite
an increase the UK population? (4 marks)
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Pressure on UK ecosystems
 In order for the UK to meet the needs of a growing population, there will be an expected
need for growth in energy production across the UK as well as a need for more
construction, such as new housing, schools, and hospitals. The environmental impact of
these changes could have a severe consequence for climate change and habitat loss.
Use internet research to complete the following chart

Issue What pressure would this place on UK

ecosystems?

An increase in population will lead to an

increase in food production. This may
lead to an increase in agribusiness
throughout the UK

The need for more housing will put

pressure on local and national
governments to release greenfield sites

New housing could be built on

floodplains

Increased demand for water

Greenhouse gas emissions could increase

through use of fossil fuels

Addressing the Issues

 Using the following pointers, research the various options that the UK has to try and
limit the issues creased by increased population and increased resource
consumption. Write a short explanation for each, explaining how it would limit the
impacts/

 Sustainable energy
 Brownfield sites
 Alternative energy
 Managing river catchments
 Educating on conservation
 New water sources and reducing water waste.
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 2. Sustainable transport options in the UK
Transport is responsible for a significant amount of the UK’s energy consumption,
particularly of fossil fuels. As you have looked at previously, the consumption of
fossil fuels is a key contributor to global climate change, as well as affecting people’s
health through local air pollution. Therefore, sustainable solutions need to be
considered to try and reduce this impact.
Available options
You are going to look at several schemes that have been put in place in the UK and
how these have benefited and will benefit the UK. These schemes are predominantly
in London as it is the most congested city in the UK and faces the most challenges in
terms of transportation.
Use the internet to research the following options that are either currently in place
or are soon to be used.

Method Description Benefits

Santander Cycles (Boris

Bikes)

London Ultra Low

Emission Zone

Park and Ride Schemes

London Congestion
Charge

Hybrid and Electric Cars

(2030 deadline)
Nitrogen pollution in Greater London
Air pollution caused by vehicles adversely affects the health of Londoners, with an
estimated 9400 deaths per year in the capital caused by air pollution.

Figure 3.
Question:
Figure 3 illustrates the pollution in London and the legally acceptable limit. Using this figure,
describe the pattern of Nitrogen Oxide pollution in London. (4 marks)
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Question:
Suggest how transport in one UK city could be made more sustainable (4 marks)
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Question:
Of the transport solutions you have researched, which do you think will have the biggest
impact on reducing the environmental damage caused by transportation? Justify your
answer.
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 3. Settlement, population, and economic challenges
The ‘two-speed economy’
The term two-speed economy refers to the idea that the economic growth within
the UK is not uniform across the whole country. London and the south east in
particular experience significantly higher and faster economic growth than the
northern areas of England and Scotland, and the western areas of England and
Wales.
One effect of the economic growth in London and the South East is that more and
more people are moving or commuting long distances south from areas such as
Yorkshire to work in the capital and the South East. This reduced the locally available
workforce and does not encourage businesses to invest in the area. The lack of
business investment is one factor that affects people’s opportunities. House prices in
London and the South East are also rising considerably faster than the rest of the
country.
Some possible solutions to this have been suggested, aimed at lessening the growing
divide between the North and South.
Task: Draw the planned route of the “High Speed 2” railway onto to map, and using
your own research, explain why it is regarded as a possible solution to the challenge
of the North-South divide.
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Greenfield and Brownfield development

 In order to cope with the rising population, and to provide for economic
development, new housing, new industry, and new transportation links are needed.
Whether this new construction should occur on Greenfield or Brownfield sites is the
subject of debate, based on which type of site is best.
Task: Research the advantages and disadvantages of Greenfield and Brownfield sites
and complete the mind maps below.

Disadvantages
of Greenfield
Sites

Advantages of
Greenfield Sites

Advantages of
Brownfield
Sites

Disadvantages
of Brownfield
Sites

Question:
What is meant by the term “two-speed economy”?
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Question:
Are Brownfield sites the best option for building the new homes that the UK needs for
its growing population? Justify your answer
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4. Migration and the UK

 Throughout human history, people have been migrating. Migrants are people moving
home within and between countries. An emigrant from one country becomes an
immigrant in another. Net migration means the difference between the number of
people entering and leaving a country. Currently the UK’s net migration is positive –
more people permanently enter than leave, and about half of the UK’s overall
population growth is from net migration. However, counting people is tricky and the
accuracy of migration statistics is debatable. They do not include everyone entering or
leaving the country. For example, travellers on holiday and business trips, and people
entering the UK illegally.

Patterns of migration change

Immigration Emigration
India 45,000 Australia 38,000
China 39,000 France 24,000
Romania 34,000 China 19,000
Poland 32,000 Poland 18,000
Spain 31,000 Spain 17,000

The above table illustrates the 2014 data for top 5 countries of former residence
(Immigration) and next residence (Emigration).
Question: Describe the pattern of people entering and leaving the UK in 2014.
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A chart to illustrate the net migration for the UK between 1970 and 2015.
Question:
How has the pattern of migration in the UK changed since 1970?
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Reasons for migration

Reason for Migration Immigration Emigration

Job or looking for a job 44% 56%
Join family 14% 9%
Study 30% 8%
Other 12% 27%

Question: Use this data to compare the main reasons for UK immigration and emigration
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The view of different groups

Use the website “The Migration Observatory” (link below) to explain why different people
have different views on UK migration. Discuss the difference between viewpoints on
migration based upon:

 Level of education
 Regional variation
 Variation by age.
http://www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/uk-public-opinion-toward-
migration-determinants-of-attitudes/
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5. The UK’s landscape challenges

UK National Parks
The first National Parks were set up in 1951, and
there are now 15 National Parks in the UK. They
were set up in order to protect areas of beautiful
countryside, cultural heritage, wildlife, and habitat.

The National Parks aim for sustainable

development, balancing meeting the needs of
residents and visitors with conserving landscapes
and habitats. Other conservation organisations work
with National Park Authorities, such as the National
Trust, English Heritage, the RSPB, and the Woodland
Trust.

Study the above map, and do your own research to complete the following grid:
Classify the National Parks into those in lowland areas and those in upland areas of the UK.

National Park Lowland or Upland?

Cairngorms
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Northumberland
Lake District
North York Moors
Yorkshire Dales
Peak District
Snowdonia
Pembrokeshire Coast
Brecon Beacons
Broads
 Exmoor
Dartmoor
New Forest
South Downs

Each National Park Authority also produces a five-year National Park Management Plan. This
plan is made in collaboration with local landowners, communities, and organisations to help
develop the parks sustainably. Examples of strategies in the plans include:

 Creation of “conservation apprentices” to encourage young people to continue

living in the parks’ rural areas, maintaining traditional countryside management
methods, and addressing youth unemployment as well
 Encourage people to change their transport habits to try and reduce carbon
dioxide emissions from tourists travelling to, in, and from National Parks
 Encouraging local business practices such as cattle markets, home construction,
to use sustainable energy sources such as wind power and solar power
 Converting old farm buildings, such as barns, into new business premises, for
example art galleries and offices, to provide more employment in the National
Parks
 Providing funds to small businesses in the National Parks, as well as training and
environmental audits to help create job stability and encourage further
investment
Question
Read the above management plans and choose two strategies and explain how they help
sustainable development of the National Parks
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River flood risk in the UK
About 330,000 UK properties are at risk of flooding today, increasing to between 630,000
and 1.2million by 2080. The increased flood hazard from rivers and flash flooding results
from:

 An increasing population, so more people are affected by flooding, including in new

developments built on flood plains
 Changes in land use, such as urban development that creates more impermeable
surfaces and increases surface runoff
 Climate change; more extreme rainfall events are putting places at risk that were
previously affected by flooding very rarely
In England the Environment Agency manages flood risk with Hard and Soft Management.
Complete the following table by researching and writing an explanation of each method.

Hard Engineering Soft Engineering

Build dams and reservoirs Plant trees in the drainage basin

Raise levees and dredge river beds Land use zonation

Straighten rivers Allow natural flooding

Build concrete walls

Use the following article to research the Somerset Floods of 2013/2014 and answer the
following question: Identify some difficult choices and conflicts that arose in the Somerset
Levels. How might these be resolved?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-26157538
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6. UK Coastal challenges
Coastal flooding in the UK is also a major flood risk that needs to be managed. Coastal
flooding can have a major impact on homes and businesses, as well as farmland around the
coast of the UK.
Coastal flooding is often the result of storm surges, when sea levels are significantly higher
than normal due to a combination of high tides, low atmospheric pressure, and strong
winds. This will often overwhelm coastal defences, which are designed to prevent coastal
erosion and not coastal flooding.

Storm surges, December 2013

Using the MetOffice article titled “Winter Storms, December 2013 to January 2014” (and its
embedded BBC links), research the impacts of the winter storm surges on the UK coast.
Describe and explain how these surges affected the coast and its residents below.
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Addressing coastal flood risk in the UK

Sea walls, used to prevent coastal erosion, can also be built to act as a barrier in coastal
areas to prevent flooding. They are an example of Hard Engineering, and are expensive, will
be damaged over time, and need to be maintained. It may become economically unviable to
repair these barriers as sea levels rise. This is because rising sea levels would mean that if
the wall were ever to break, a significantly higher volume of water would flood onto the
land, causing even more devastation than before. In this instance, managed retreat is
sometimes seen as a viable option

Managed retreat involves allowing low-lying land to flood up to a newly built defence that is
built further back on higher land. These newly flooded areas will develop into salt marshes
which will act as natural defences and as habitats for wildlife. However, this only works in
areas of low quality farmland and low density population, as significant areas of land will
become flooded.

Describe how Hard Engineering can help prevent coastal flooding. Give examples in your
answer
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Research the Thames Flood Barrier and write a short explanation of its history and the
reason why it is necessary.
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7. The UK’s climate challenges

How will global climate change affect the UK’s climate?

The above two maps illustrate the increase in summer mean temperatures, and reduction in
summer mean rainfall in the UK, illustrating both the predicted data for 2050 and 2080.

Using these two maps, describe the possible changes to summer temperatures and rainfall
by 2080 in different parts of the UK.
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Impacts of climate change on the UK

Research the possible impacts of climate change on the UK and describe and explain the 5
that you believe will have the biggest impact in the space below.
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8. Responses to climate change

Whilst it is impossible to predict the changes that will occur to our climate, or the specific
impact that they will have, with any certainty, we do know that global climate change is
occurring. This means that steps can be taken to try to address this issue on various scales
to combat the possible problems it will cause in the future. You will need to complete your
own research for the following short questions
Local scale
How can locally grown food reduce the possible impacts of climate change?
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How can individuals and families make changes to their lives that will reduce carbon dioxide
emissions?
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National scale
What campaigns or legislation has the UK government recently (last 10 years) enacted to
combat climate change?
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What conflict exists in the UK regarding renewable energy and environmental protection?
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Question:
Discuss the view that the UK population growth and net migration will create most pressure
on the UK’s ecosystems.
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9. Glossary