1. Section C Resource Management
A resource is a stock or supply of something that has value or a purpose e.g. water, food, coal, energy. There can be a deficit (shortage) or a surplus (too much) of a resource.
Provision of energy in the UK
The UK will be importing more energy as coal reserves become more expensive to mine as a result of depth underground and high wages in the UK. This will affect energy security as the UK will have to rely on other countries to supply energy.
Energy conservation through more efficient vehicles and machines and insulated buildings has led to a drop in consumption of 60% from industry and 12% from homes.
Food in the UK
By 2037 the UK’s population will have risen to 73 million and so the demand for food will increase. The UK imports about 40% of the food consumed. The impact of importing so much food is that carbon is released from the fuels that are used when it is transported. This contributes to the increase of greenhouse gases and causes global warming.
Two major trends in UK food are:
Agribusiness in which food is grown on a massive scale using technology and chemicals to boost production
Organic farming in which no chemicals are used. The food is often more expensive because less is grown, but it is often local and seasonal
Fracking for natural gas trapped deep underground by using high pressure water jets to shatter the rock and release the gas is controversial. There is a possibility of earthquakes, pollution of underground water sources and the high cost.
Economic cost of exploitation
Nuclear power plants are expensive to build
Wind farms are expensive to build and may reduce tourism in areas where they are built.
Environmental cost of exploitation
Processing and storing nuclear waste is risky and it could leak
Noise from windfarms disturbs animals
Burning coal releases carbon
Why does the UK import so much food?
UK climate is suitable for growing some foods e.g. tea and bananas
Increasing demand for exotic / world foods
UK food can be expensive because of high animal feed prices and farm wages
Demand for seasonal products e.g. apples and strawberries to be available all year
Global Supply and Demand
The balance between energy supply and demand gives the level of energy security. In the USA demand is high, but the amount produced is low so there is energy insecurity (deficit). In the Middle East there are large oil reserves so lots of energy is produced (surplus) and demand is low, so there is energy security.
Water transfer through pipes from areas of surplus to areas of deficit is costly and could damage the environment. Strategies to save water are encouraged instead e.g. water meters and recycling water
Water quality is managed by the Environment Agency who monitor and control access to water that is used for drinking. Water can be polluted by industry so strict fines are in place.
Sustainable Energy: Freiburg, Germany
Sustainable energy involves balancing supply and demand and reducing waste and inefficiency. Demand can be reduced by insulating homes and using energy saving bulbs and supply can be more sustainable by using renewable sources rather than fossil fuels. In Freiburg sustainable energy is achieved through conservation of energy and producing green energy. There are solar panels on homes, offices and public buildings. Biogas is also produced from food and other organic waste. Buildings are highly insulated to keep heat in and so less energy is used.
Chambamontera Micro Hydro sustainable energy scheme
The isolated farming community in the Andes needs a sustainable energy scheme because it is too expensive to link them to the national grid. This limits their development. The scheme channels water from the fast flowing mountain rivers to a turbine generator which produces renewable electricity. Low cost, uses local materials / skills, provides light and heat energy allowing people to work longer and to use technology to improve their lives.
There is a water deficit where there is a high population and a low rainfall amount e.g. London and south west England.

2. Section C Resource Management
A resource is a stock or supply of something that has value or a purpose e.g. water, food, coal, energy. T
There can be a deficit (shortage) or a surplus (too much) of a resource.
Provision of energy in the UK
The UK energy mix has changed from ¾ fossil fuels (non renewable) in 1990, but by % will be from renewables e.g. solar and wind and 20% from nuclear. The UK will also be importing more energy as coal reserves become more expensive to mine as a result of depth underground and high wages in the UK. This will affect energy security as the UK will have to rely on other countries to supply energy.
Energy conservation through more efficient vehicles and machines and insulated buildings has led to a drop in consumption of 60% from industry and 12% from homes.
Food in the UK
The UK imports about 40% of the food consumed. The impact of importing so much food is that carbon is released from the fuels that are used when it is transported. This contributes to the increase of greenhouse gases and causes global warming.
Two major trends in UK food are:
Agribusiness in which food is grown on a massive scale using technology and chemicals to boost production
Organic farming in which no chemicals are used. The food is often more expensive because less is grown, but it is often local and seasonal
Fracking for natural gas trapped deep underground by using high pressure water jets to shatter the rock and release the gas is controversial. There is a possibility of earthquakes, pollution of underground water sources and the high cost.
Economic cost of exploitation
Nuclear power plants are expensive to build
Wind farms are expensive to build and may reduce tourism in areas where they are built.
Environmental cost of exploitation
Processing and storing nuclear waste is risky and it could leak
Burning coal releases carbon
Why does the UK import so much food?
UK climate is suitable for growing some foods e.g. tea and bananas
Increasing demand for exotic / world foods
Demand for seasonal products e.g. apples and strawberries to be available all year
Global Supply and Demand
The balance between energy supply and demand gives the level of energy security. In the USA demand is high, but the amount produced is low so there is energy insecurity (deficit). In the Middle East there are large oil reserves so lots of energy is produced (surplus) and demand is low, so there is energy security.
Sustainable Energy: Freiburg, Germany
In Freiburg sustainable energy is achieved through:
conservation of energy
producing green energy
There are:
solar panels on homes, offices and public buildings
biogas is also produced from food and other organic waste.
buildings are highly insulated to keep heat in and so less energy is used
Water transfer through pipes from areas of surplus to areas of deficit is costly and could damage the environment. Strategies to save water are encouraged instead e.g. water meters and recycling water
Water quality is managed by the Environment Agency who monitor and control access to water that is used for drinking. Water can be polluted by industry so strict fines are in place.
Chambamontera Micro Hydro sustainable energy scheme
The isolated farming community in the Andes needs a sustainable energy scheme because it is too expensive to link them to the national grid. This limits their development. The scheme channels water from the fast flowing mountain rivers to a turbine generator which produces renewable electricity. Low cost, uses local materials / skills, provides light and heat energy allowing people to work longer and to use technology to improve their lives.
There is a water deficit where there is a high population and a low rainfall amount e.g. London and south west England.