Resource Challenges Food in the UK Water in the UK

Resources are things that humans require for life or to make our lives Growing Demand Impact of Demand Growing Demand Deficit and Surplus
easier. Humans are becoming increasingly dependent on exploiting
these resources, and as a result they are in high demand. • The UK imports about 40% of Foods can travel long distances The average water used per
its food. This increases people’s (food miles). Importing food adds household has risen by 70%. This
The north and west have a water
Significance of Water carbon footprint. to our carbon footprint. growing demand is predicted to
surplus (more water than is
• There is growing demand for + Supports workers with an income increase by 5% by 2020.
Resources such as food, energy and water are what is needed for basic greater choice of exotic foods + Supports families in LICs. This is due to: required).
human development. needed all year round. + Taxes from farmers’ incomes The south and east have a water
• A growing UK population. deficit (more water needed than is
• Foods from abroad are more contribute to local services. • Water-intensive appliances.
FOOD WATER ENERGY affordable. - Less land for locals to grow their actually available).
• Showers and baths taken. More than half of England is
• Many food types are unsuitable own food. • Industrial and leisure use. experiencing water stress (where
Without enough A good supply of to be grown in the UK. - Farmers exposed to chemicals. • Watering greenhouses. demand exceeds supply).
People need a supply
nutritious food, energy is needed for
of clean and safe
people can become a basic standard of
malnourished. This water for drinking, living. People need
cooking and washing. Agribusiness Sustainable Foods Pollution and Quality Water stress in the UK
can make them ill . light and heat for
Water is also needed
This can prevent cooking or to stay
people working or for food, clothes and warm. It is also Farming is being treated like a Organic foods that have little
other products. large industrial business. This is impact on the environment and Cause and effects include:
receiving education. needed for industry.
increasing food production. are healthier have been rising. • Chemical run-off from
+ Intensive faming maximises the Local food sourcing is also rising in farmland can destroy habitats
amount of food produced. popularity. and kills animals.
Demand outstripping supply + Using machinery which increases • Reduces emissions by only • Oil from boats and ships
the farms efficiency. eating food from the UK. poisons wildlife.
The demand for resources like food, water and energy is rising so quickly - Only employs a small number of • Buying locally sourced food • Untreated waste from
that supply cannot always keep up. Importantly, access to these workers. supports local shops and farms. industries creates unsafe
resources vary dramatically in different locations - Chemicals used on farms damages • A third of people grow their drinking water.
the habitats and wildlife. own food. • Sewage containing bacteria
spreads infectious diseases.
1. Population Growth 2. Economic Development

• Currently the global • As LICs and NEEs develop

•
population is 7.3 billion.
Global population has risen
further, they require more
energy for industry.
Unit 2c Management Water Transfer

UK has strict laws that limits the Water transfer involves moving

The Challenge of
exponentially this century. • LICs and NEEs want similar
Global population is expected lifestyles to HICs, therefore amount of discharge from water through pipes from areas of
• factories and farms. surplus (Wales) to areas of deficit
to reach 9 billion by 2050. they will need to consume
With more people, the more resources. Education campaigns to inform (London).
• what can be disposed of safety. Opposition includes:

demand for food, water,
energy, jobs and space will
increase.
• Development means more
water is required for food
production as diets improve.
Resource Reliance Graph
Consumption – The act of using up
resources or purchasing goods and
produce.
Carry Capacity – A maximum
number of species that can be
supported.
Resource Management
Energy in the UK
Growing Demand
The UK consumes less
energy than compared to
the 1970s despite a smaller
population. This is due to
the decline of industry.
Energy Mix
The majority of UK’s 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.
Waste water treatment plants • Effects on land and wildlife.
remove dangerous elements to • High maintenance costs.
then be used for safe drinking. • The amount of energy
Pollution traps catch and filter required to move water over
pollutants. long distances.
Energy in the UK (continued)
Significance of Renewables Exploitation
+ The UK government is investing New plants provide job
more into low carbon alternatives. opportunities.

Nuclear
Resource consumption exceeds Changes in Energy Mix + UK government aims to meet Problems with safety and
Earth’s ability to provide! 2009 2020 targets for reducing emissions. possible harm to wildlife.
75% of the UK’s oil and + Renewable sources include wind, Nuclear plants are expensive.
• solar and tidal energy.
3. Changing Technology and Employment gas has been used up.
Coal consumption has - Although infinite, renewables are
• still expensive to install. Locals have low energy bills.
• The demand for resources has driven the need for new technology to declined. Reduces carbon footprint.

Wind Farm
reach or gain more resources. UK has become too - Shale gas deposits may be
• exploited in the near future Construction cost is high.
• More people in the secondary and tertiary industry has increased the dependent on imported Oil Gas Renewable Visual impacts on landscape.
demand for resources required for electronics and robotics. energy. Noise from wind turbines.
Nuclear Coal Other
 Option 1: FOOD CS: Large scale agricultural development: Aswan Dam, Egypt. CS: A local scheme in an LIC or NEE to increase sustainable
supplies of food. – Nepal (in assistance with ATA)
Food Security is when people at all times need to have physical & economic access
to food to meet their dietary needs for an active & healthy life. This is the opposite
to Food Insecurity which is when someone is unsure when they might next eat. Background & context: Background & context:
ATA, a charity, seeks to develop new interpretations of traditional practices,
Human Physical Construction of the dam was in 1960 to develop sustainable farming systems that meet the hopes of local
•Total cost of building the dam was estimated at over $1 billion communities.
• Poverty prevents people affording • The quality of soil is important to In many of the areas where ATA works, farming communities are under
food and buying equipment. ensure crops have key nutrients. •One third of the cost was provided by the USSR ever-increasing pressure: dwindling agricultural productivity, increasing
• Conflict disrupts farming and • Water supply needs to be reliable •400 Soviet technicians were employed in the Dams construction population and shifting climatic patterns. In Nepal, local farmers rely on
prevents supplies. to allow food to grow. •The Dam was completed in 1968 (but not opened till 1971)
• Food waste due to poor transport • Pest, diseases and parasites can often insecure handouts of government grain when their crops fail. ATA
and storage. destroy vast amounts of crops that •The dam covers an area of over 480km in length and 16 km wide seeks to ensure that new techniques will provide a more sustainable food
• Climate Change is affecting rainfall are necessary to populations. •The Hydro Electric producing capacity is 2,100 megawatts supply throughout the year.
patterns making food production • Extreme weather events can
difficult. damage crops (i.e. floods).

Advantages Disadvantages Intercropping Bee-Keeping

Daily Calorie Intake Flood control – gave Fewer crops grown for
Food Supply farmers a larger area to local Egyptians who
farm. relied on the fertile The simultaneous cultivation of Bee keeping is common in
River navigable all year alluvium the Nile used to different crops on the same many Himalayan regions. The
round – trade would deposit when it flooded. piece of land. Intercropping bees are used for the
increase. More income from cash reduces the chances of the production of honey, and the
Hydroelectric power crops of sugarcane, farmer losing everything to beeswax is used for candles
doubles Egypt’s previous cotton and maize as pests, drought, or disease. If and traditional medicines.
This map shows how many calories per
output. Farmers could large agricultural one crop fails, the other may In terms of food security, bees
person that are consumed on average survive and will compensate are also indispensable
for each country. use more machinery companies buy up the
This can indicate the global distribution This map shows the which would increase extra land made for the loss or provide at least pollinators, and maintaining
of available food and food inequality. some food or earnings. healthy strong bee colonies
amount of food produced their agricultural output. available. This provides Another advantage of can have a significant effect on
Increasing Food Supply in different countries. The large lake can more jobs for farmers intercropping is that it often overall crop productivity.
Whilst Asia and North support a fishing but the food will be sold makes more efficient and
Hydroponics - A method of growing America have high industry – farmers can internationally, leaving intensive use of available
plants without soil. Instead they use diversify and turn to locals with a poor food
nutrient solution. production outputs, Africa labour.
New Green Revolution - Aims to and Central America have fishing instead to source supply.
improve yields in a more sustainable a food supply. Silt (alluvium) not
way. Involves using both GM varieties low production outputs.   deposited on flood
and traditional and organic farming.
Biotechnology - Genetically modified plains because of flood
(GM) crops changes the DNA of foods to control meaning Solar agriculture Livestock management
enhance productivity and properties.
Irrigation - Artificially watering the land fertilisers had to be
so crops can grow. Useful in dry areas to added – costly for
make crops more productive. farmers. ATA greenhouses comprise a By promoting stall feeding
Increase in Bilharzia – freestanding structure in two rather than free-range grazing
parasite found in snails parts, a thick masonry shelter of livestock, together with
Sustainable Food Supply in Lake Nasser. They get with a roof to provide both training in livestock nutrition
into the water and local insulation and residual heat and care, and the production
This ensures that fertile soil, water and environmental resources farmers can drink it and during the night, and a receiver and management of fodder
are available for future generations. surface of either glass or crops, ATA works to better
then become ill. They polythene sheeting, which abuts integrate livestock management
can’t work as hard this structure. This design is with fragile mountain
Organic Farming - The banned use of chemicals and ensuring therefore agricultural ideal for the extreme climate ecosystems.
animals are raised naturally. output will decrease. above 2,700m, as the heat
Permaculture - People growing their own food and changing stored in the earth wall reduces
eating habits. Fewer resources are required.
the risk of frost damage to the
Urban Farming - Planting crops in urban areas. i.e. roundabouts. plants during the night.
Managed Fishing – Includes setting catch limits, banning trawling
and promoting pole and line methods.