1. Section C – Resource Management
Resources: Food in the UK
Resources: Water in the UK
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.
There is a water deficit where there is a high population and a low rainfall amount e.g. London and south west England. There is a water surplus where there is a low population and a high amount of rainfall e.g. western Scotland.
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
Water transfer through pipes from areas of surplus to areas of deficit is costly and could damage the environment. Water is pumped many miles e.g. from the Lake District to the cities of Liverpool and Manchester. The pumps are powered and so release pollution into the atmosphere. 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 e.g. in reservoirs. Water can be polluted by industry so strict fines are in place.
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

2. Resources: Energy in the UK Global Supply and Demand
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.
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.
Environmental cost of exploitation
Processing and storing nuclear waste is risky and it could leak
Noise from windfarms disturbs animals
Burning coal releases carbon
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.
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. This can be a risk because of political events like BREXIT or civil wars within countries affecting price and supply.
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.
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.

3. Chambamontera Micro 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.
The scheme was  supported by the charity Practical Action. The high rainfall, steep slopes and fast flowing rivers make this area ideal for exploiting water power as a renewable source of energy. The cost was $51000 which was partly funded by Japan but the community had to pay for part of it.  The average cost per family was US$750 which they funded by credit.