The Challenges of Resource Management

Resources
1. What are Resources?
  1. Definition: A resource is a stock or supply of something that has a value or purpose.
  2. The three most important resource are food, energy and water.
  3. They are essential for countries' development.
2. Resource Distribution
  1. Resources are distributed very unevenly across the globe.
  2. Most HICs have plentiful resources and therefore a high standard of living.
  3. Poorer countries (e.g. Sub-saharan Africa) lack resources and have a very low standard of living.
Energy
1. How is the UK's Energy Demand Changing?
  1. Despite increasing demand in recent years, consumption had fallen due to the delice of heavy industry and improved energy conservation.
  2. Low-energy appliances, better building insulation and more fuel-efficient cars have all contributed to a fall of 60% in industry use and 12% in domestic use.
2. How has the UK's Energy Mix Changed?
  1. An energy mix is the range and proportions of different energy sources.
  2. It has changed in the UK but by 2020 the UK aims to meet 15% of its energy requirement from renewable sources.
  3. In 2015 the government decided to phase out subsidies for wind and solar energy development.
3. How and Why has the UK's Energy Mix Changed?
  1. About 75% of the UK's oil and natural gas reserves have been exhausted and the UK is no longer self-sufficient in energy.
  2. By 2020 the UK is likely to be importing 75% of its energy and this is affecting our energy security.
  3. Oil production in the UK has declined by 6% annually during the last decade and the use of coal declined dramatically between 1990 and 2007 because of concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and ageing coal-fired power stations.
  4. Fossil fuels are likely to remain important in the future due to cheap coal imports, plans to exploit shale gas deposits and the fact that our power stations use them.
4. What is the Fracking Issue?
  1. The UK has rich reserves of natural gas which, to extract, needs the use of chemicals and liquids.
  2. There are however concerns about the possibility of earthquakes, pollution of underground water sources and the high costs of extraction.
5. The Impacts of Energy Exploitation
  1. Energy exploitation can have impacts on both the economy and the environment.
  2. The two methods of renewable enrgy that have the biggest effects are wind farms and nuclear energy.
Food
1. How is Demand for Food Changing in the UK?
  1. By 2037 the population of the UK will have increased by 9 million.
  2. The UK's farming sector does not support the country into being self-sufficient.
  3. The UK imports 40% of its food and this is increasing rapidly.
2. What is the Impact of Importing Food?
  1. Transporting food is very expensive, especially by air.
  2. Importing food adds to our carbon footprint.
  3. CO2 emissions come from producing energy for commercial cultivation and from vehicles used for transporting.
3. How is the UK responding to the Challenges?
  1. There is concern on the UK's dependency on imports and our food security.
  2. There has recently been a growing interest in locally and seasonally produced food.
    1. Agribusiness (Lynford House Farm)- Intensive farming using modern technology and chemicals to maximise the amount of food produced.
    2. Organic produce (Riverford Organic Farms)- Traditional farming without the use of chemicals to support local farmers and produce seasonal goods.
4. Why does the UK Import so Much Food?
  1. UK farmed food is expensive due to poor harvests and expensive animal feed.
  2. There is a demand for a variety of food (exotic) and seasonal produce all-year round.
  3. The UK climate is unsuitable to grow some foods (e.g. bananas, tea and cocoa).
Water
1. What are the Demands for Water in the UK?
  1. Nearly 50% of the UK's water supply is used domestically.
  2. 21% of the UK's water supply is lost through leakage.
  3. The demand for water will increase by 5% by 2020 (estimated by The Environment Agency).
  4. Demand is increasing due to the growing population, more houses being built and an increase in the use of water-intensive appliances.
2. How far does the UK's Water Supply meet Demand?
  1. The main sources of water in the UK are rivers, reservoirs and ground aquifers.
  2. Currently there is enough rain the supply the demand but the issue is its distribution.
    1. The North and West have a water surplus due to high rainfall, low evapotranspiration rates and a low population density.
    2. The South and East have a water deficit due to low rainfall, high evapotranspiration rates and a dense population.
  3. Half of England suffers water stress, where demand exceeds supply.
  4. Saving water can be achieved by installing water meters, recycling water and by using more water efficient domestic appliances.
  5. Grey water (waste water from homes) can be recycled in irrigating plants.
3. Water Transfer
  1. In 2006 the government proposed a water transfer grid but the engineering costs were too great.
  2. There is opposition to large scale water transfer because of the effect on land and wildlife, the huge costs and the greenhouse gas emissions from pumping so much water over long distances.
4. Managing Water Quality
  1. Water quality is managed by The Environment Agency.
  2. Water quality is managed by monitoring rivers, filtering water to remove sediment, purifying water with chlorine, restricting recreational use of water sources and imposing strict regulations on the uses of water.
  3. Some groundwater sources have been polluted due to leaching from old underground mine workings, discharge from industrial sites, runoff from chemical fertilisers used on farmland and water used for cooling in power stations being released back into rivers.

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