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Resource Management

infoWhy this? We study resource management to explore the global significance of food, water and energy in supporting human life. Geography allows us to investigate patterns of resource distribution, the challenges of inequality, and the pressures created by growing populations and climate change. This topic is important because it links directly to global debates about sustainability, security and the future of our planet, helping students develop informed opinions about resource use and management.

scheduleWhy now? Resource Management draws together many of the themes covered across Years 10 and 11. Students use their understanding of hazards, ecosystems, development and urbanisation to explore the global importance of food, water and energy, and to critically evaluate issues of sustainability. This final topic provides a powerful capstone, encouraging students to apply their geographical knowledge and skills to some of the most urgent challenges facing humanity.

neurologyYou need to know

  • Resources are things that have value to people.
  • Food, water and energy are fundamental resources because they are essential for health, security, economic activity and social well-being.
  • Places with plentiful food, water and energy resources tend to have higher levels of development, while resource scarcity often lowers quality of life and slows economic development.
  • Resource security means having a reliable and affordable supply of food, water and energy.
  • A balanced diet is essential for health and well-being.
  • In many high-income countries, people consume more calories than they need, which contributes to rising obesity levels.
  • In many low-income countries, average calorie intake is below what is needed for good health.
  • Good nutrition is necessary for people to work and be productive.
  • More than 800 million people are undernourished, which is about 9% of the world's population.
  • About one quarter of the world's population is moderately or severely food insecure.
  • Undernourishment is particularly harmful to children because it can stunt growth.
  • About 22% of children under the age of five are stunted.
  • The risk of undernourishment is greatest in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Water is essential for life and is used for domestic purposes, agriculture, industry and energy production.
  • Global water supply varies according to climate.
  • About one quarter of the world's population does not have access to safe drinking water.
  • Water scarcity affects more than 4 billion people worldwide.
  • Economic water scarcity happens when a country cannot afford the infrastructure needed to exploit and distribute water resources.
  • Physical water scarcity happens when there is not enough water available.
  • Some countries experience both physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity.
  • In low-income countries and newly emerging economies, agriculture is the main use of water.
  • In newly industrialised countries, industry is the main use of water.
  • People need energy for heat, light and power.
  • Improvements in power supply helped drive the agricultural and industrial revolutions and supported major increases in development.
  • High-income countries consume more energy than low-income countries.
  • Newly emerging economies are experiencing rising energy demand from homes and industry.
  • Global energy consumption is still dominated by fossil fuels.
  • Renewable energy use is increasing.
  • Food demand in the UK is increasing as the population grows.
  • Diets in the UK have become more varied over time.
  • People in the UK consume more food than they did 50 years ago.
  • The UK imports about 46% of the food it consumes.
  • The UK imports food because produce from abroad can be cheaper.
  • The UK imports food to meet demand for products that cannot easily be grown in the UK climate.
  • The UK imports seasonal foods so that consumers can buy the same produce throughout the year.
  • Food imports mean that people in the UK no longer need to eat only seasonal food.
  • Importing food increases food miles.
  • Greater food miles increase the carbon footprint of consumers and of the UK as a whole.
  • Demand for organic food and drink in the UK has increased over the last twenty years.
  • Organic food is produced without artificial pesticides and fertilisers.
  • Organic farming uses natural predators, natural fertilisers and crop rotation to control pests and maintain soil fertility.
  • Organic farming avoids the use of hormones and the routine use of antibiotics.
  • Organic farms are often smaller, use more labour and may have lower yields, so organic produce is usually more expensive.
  • Agribusiness applies business principles to farming in order to maximise food production.
  • Agribusiness can increase efficiency and yields by enlarging fields, removing hedgerows and combining smaller farms into larger units.
  • Agribusiness often involves greater use of pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilisers.
  • In agribusiness, packaging and transport are often integrated into the farming business.
  • The average person in the UK uses about 152 litres of water each day.
  • Less than 5% of the water used by the average person in the UK is for drinking.
  • South-east England is expected to need an additional 1 billion litres of water by 2050.
  • Water demand in the UK is increasing because of population growth.
  • Water demand in the UK is increasing because people shower, wash clothes and use water-intensive appliances more frequently.
  • Water demand in the UK is increasing because greenhouse farming needs more irrigation.
  • Water demand in the UK is increasing because industry and energy generation use more water.
  • The north and west of the UK usually have a water surplus because rainfall is higher and population density is lower.
  • The south and east of the UK often have a water deficit because rainfall is lower and population density is higher.
  • Much of the UK experiences water stress.
  • Water transfer is used in the UK to move water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit.
  • Water transfer schemes in the UK use pipelines, canals, waterways, dams and reservoirs.
  • A national water grid has not been developed because it would be expensive and could displace communities and damage ecosystems.
  • The Environment Agency manages water quality in the UK.
  • Water quality in the UK has improved, but only about 14% of rivers meet the standard for good ecological status.
  • Agricultural pollution happens when pesticides and fertilisers are washed into rivers and other water bodies.
  • Fertiliser pollution can cause eutrophication.
  • Industrial pollution can release toxic waste that kills plants and animals and can contaminate the food chain and drinking water.
  • Energy production can pollute rivers when cooling water is returned at a higher temperature, which can kill wildlife.
  • Transport pollution can increase water salinity and add petrol and diesel contamination to water systems.
  • Domestic sewage pollution introduces bacteria that can harm wildlife and cause illness in humans.
  • Mining pollution can release heavy metals into water systems.
  • Water quality laws in the UK restrict the type and amount of waste that can be discharged and set standards for wildlife health.
  • Water treatment plants improve water quality by removing bacteria, algae and solid waste.
  • Investment in new pipes and sewage systems helps to reduce leaks and pollution.
  • Energy consumption in the UK has fallen by about 13% since 1970.
  • UK energy demand has fallen partly because manufacturing has declined.
  • UK domestic energy use has fallen partly because appliances and insulation have become more energy efficient.
  • In 1990, more than 75% of UK electricity was generated from coal, oil and gas.
  • By 2015, the UK energy mix included a greater share of renewable and nuclear energy, although fossil fuels still produced more than half of electricity.
  • The UK is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels because coal, oil and gas are finite resources.
  • The UK is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels because burning them emits greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
  • The last coal-fired power station in the UK closed in 2024.
  • Renewable energy is becoming more important because it produces electricity without direct greenhouse gas emissions and because costs are falling.
  • Nuclear power does not emit greenhouse gases during electricity generation, but uranium is non-renewable.
  • The UK is increasingly dependent on imported energy.
  • More than half of the UK's gas supply is imported, mainly from Norway.
  • More than 11% of the UK's oil supply is imported, mainly from Norway.
  • Dependence on imported energy can reduce UK energy security.
  • Fossil fuels are non-renewable and can become uneconomic to extract before reserves are exhausted.
  • Extracting and using fossil fuels creates economic costs such as oil spill clean-up, mining-related disease and adaptation to climate change.
  • Fossil fuels damage the environment through greenhouse gas emissions, mining waste and oil spills.
  • Nuclear power is expensive because power stations are costly to build and decommission and radioactive waste is expensive to transport, store and dispose of.
  • Nuclear power creates environmental risks because radioactive waste is hazardous and accidents can harm people and ecosystems.
  • Renewable energy often has high set-up costs.
  • Some renewable energy developments can reduce tourism by changing the appearance of landscapes.
  • Wind turbines and solar panels can have a visual impact on landscapes.
  • Wind turbines can disrupt bird and bat movements.
  • Hydroelectric dams can block fish movement, trap sediment and flood large areas, which destroys habitats.
  • Renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels.
  • A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, product or country, usually measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
  • Consumption is the use of resources such as food, water and energy by people or countries.
  • An energy mix is the combination of different energy sources used to meet a country's energy needs, including fossil fuels, nuclear power and renewables.
  • Exploitation is the use of natural resources in ways that can cause long-term environmental harm or social injustice.
  • Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources such as coal, oil and gas that formed from ancient organic matter.
  • Global inequalities are differences in access to food, water and energy between high-income and low-income countries.
  • Renewable energy comes from naturally replenished sources such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and tidal power.
  • A resource is a supply of something useful, such as food, water or energy, that people need to survive and improve their lives.
  • Sustainable resource management uses resources in ways that meet present needs without reducing future generations' ability to meet theirs.
  • Agribusiness is large-scale industrial food production run by companies using intensive farming methods.
  • Carbon emissions from food are greenhouse gases released during the growing, processing, transporting and packaging of food.
  • Food insecurity occurs when people do not have reliable access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
  • Food miles are the distance food travels from where it is produced to where it is consumed.
  • Food security exists when people have regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for an active, healthy life.
  • Irrigation is the artificial watering of land to help crops grow, especially in dry areas.
  • Organic produce is food grown without chemical fertilisers, pesticides or genetically modified organisms.
  • Permaculture is a form of sustainable farming that mimics natural ecosystems and reduces environmental impact.
  • Sustainable food supplies are produced in ways that protect the environment, support local communities and maintain long-term food security.
  • Undernourishment occurs when a person's diet lacks sufficient calories or essential nutrients.
  • Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater to make it suitable for drinking and irrigation.
  • Groundwater is water stored underground in permeable rock layers called aquifers.
  • Grey water is wastewater from household activities, such as baths and sinks, that can be reused for irrigation or flushing toilets.
  • Industrial water use is water used in manufacturing and industrial processes, which often contributes to pollution.
  • Over-abstraction is the removal of too much water from rivers, lakes or groundwater, causing water shortages or environmental damage.
  • Pollution is the contamination of water sources with harmful substances such as chemicals, waste or sewage.
  • A reservoir is a large artificial or natural lake used to store water for human use.
  • A water deficit occurs when demand for water exceeds the available supply in a particular area.
  • Water stress occurs when water availability is too low to meet the needs of people and the environment.
  • Water transfer is the movement of water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit, often through pipelines or canals.
  • Biofuels are fuels made from organic materials such as crops or animal waste and are often treated as renewable energy sources.
  • A carbon-neutral process or product results in zero net carbon emissions, often by offsetting emissions elsewhere.
  • Energy insecurity occurs when a country cannot reliably access enough affordable energy to meet its needs.
  • An energy surplus occurs when a country produces more energy than it uses and can therefore export energy.
  • Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique for extracting gas from shale rock by injecting high-pressure liquid into it.
  • Hydroelectric power generates electricity from moving water, usually by using dams.
  • Nuclear power generates energy by splitting atoms, producing large amounts of energy with low carbon emissions but significant safety risks.
  • Non-renewable energy comes from sources such as coal, oil and gas that will eventually run out.
  • Tidal energy generates electricity by harnessing the movement of tides.
  • Wind power generates electricity by using turbines to convert wind energy.
  • Food, water and energy are fundamental resources because they are essential to human development.
  • Food, water and energy resources are important to both economic well-being and social well-being.
  • Global inequalities exist in both the supply of resources and the consumption of resources.
  • In the UK, changing demand and changing provision of resources create both opportunities and challenges.
  • In the UK, demand is increasing for high-value food exports from low-income countries.
  • In the UK, consumers increasingly expect seasonal food and organic produce to be available all year.
  • Longer food supply chains increase food miles and therefore increase carbon footprints.
  • Local sourcing of food is one response to the environmental impact of increasing food miles.
  • Agribusiness is becoming a more important feature of food production in the UK.
  • In the UK, demand for water is changing over time.
  • Managing water quality and water pollution is an important part of resource management in the UK.
  • Water supply and water demand are unevenly distributed across the UK, creating areas of surplus and areas of deficit.
  • Water transfers are needed in some parts of the UK to maintain reliable supplies.
  • The UK energy mix is changing, although the country still relies heavily on fossil fuels.
  • Renewable energy is becoming more significant in the UK energy mix.
  • Domestic supplies of coal, gas and oil in the UK are declining.
  • The exploitation of energy resources creates both economic issues and environmental issues.
  • Global energy demand has increased rapidly because population growth, economic development and technology have all raised the demand for energy.
  • The global population reached 8 billion in 2022, and population growth increases demand for food, goods and technology that all require energy.
  • Most recent population growth has been in LICs and NEEs, where energy insecurity is often already a problem.
  • More developed countries tend to have higher energy demand because intensive farming, industry, transport, urban living and greater wealth all increase energy use.
  • Technological development has increased the number of industrial and domestic appliances that require energy.
  • Countries with the highest energy consumption per person are usually HICs, whereas countries with the lowest energy consumption per person are usually LICs.
  • Energy sources are unevenly distributed around the world because some places lack suitable natural resources or the money to exploit them.
  • Fossil fuels are the main sources of primary energy worldwide.
  • Major producers of fossil fuels include the USA, Canada, Norway, Russia, Australia and countries in the Middle East.
  • The largest energy producers are often also the largest energy consumers.
  • An energy gap exists when a country cannot meet its energy demand from its own resources.
  • Countries with an energy gap must import energy, which reduces energy security.
  • Energy security requires energy supplies to be uninterrupted, affordable and accessible.
  • The UK has a widening energy gap because renewable energy cannot yet fully replace fossil fuels and imported fossil fuels are often cheaper than exploiting UK reserves.
  • Attempts to cut fossil-fuel use to tackle climate change have increased energy insecurity in many countries.
  • Energy insecurity can affect HICs, NEEs and LICs, although in HICs it is often linked to very high demand.
  • Geology affects energy supply because coal, oil and gas are only available where suitable rock formations exist.
  • Climate affects energy supply because extreme temperatures can disrupt machinery and transport, while sunshine and wind levels influence solar and wind power generation.
  • Location affects energy supply because some oil and gas reserves are offshore and difficult to reach, while tectonically active areas can support geothermal energy.
  • Water supply affects energy supply because valleys with reliable water supplies are suitable for hydroelectric power.
  • The economic viability of an energy source depends on whether the cost of exploitation is lower than the revenue it can generate, and viability changes with energy prices and demand.
  • Some energy sources are cheaper to exploit than others, with coal relatively cheap and nuclear power relatively expensive.
  • Renewable energy has become cheaper as technology has improved.
  • Labour costs can make an energy reserve unprofitable to exploit, as happened with coal mining in the UK.
  • New technology can make previously inaccessible energy reserves exploitable.
  • Technological development has improved the efficiency of renewable energy and advanced energy storage.
  • Newer energy technologies include hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas and the development of hydrogen energy.
  • Political conflict can disrupt energy supplies and create disputes over who controls energy reserves.
  • HICs often maintain strong relationships with major energy-supplying countries to protect their energy imports.
  • Government subsidies can increase the supply of renewable energy.
  • Searching for new energy supplies in polar and tundra regions, such as Siberia and Alaska, raises costs and threatens fragile ecosystems.
  • Growing biomass for fuel in tropical rainforests can cause deforestation, higher carbon dioxide levels, greater soil erosion and loss of habitats and biodiversity.
  • Wind farms and solar farms in areas of natural beauty can damage the visual landscape.
  • Offshore oil and gas exploitation risks accidents and spillages that can damage marine ecosystems.
  • Using land for biofuels reduces the land available for food crops.
  • Reduced farmland for food production can raise food prices and encourage more intensive farming, which increases energy demand further.
  • Energy insecurity can cause power cuts that reduce industrial output.
  • High or fluctuating energy prices reduce profits and can force industries to raise prices.
  • Industries facing high energy costs may become uncompetitive, close and cause job losses and lower GDP.
  • Energy insecurity can increase conflict within and between countries.
  • Rising energy prices can create conflict between people who can afford energy and people who cannot.
  • Governments may need to prioritise who receives energy supplies when shortages or power cuts threaten.
  • Countries with an energy surplus can use supply as a political threat or bargaining tool.
  • Energy reserves that cross international boundaries can trigger conflict, as seen between Sudan and South Sudan.
  • Countries can increase energy supply either by expanding renewable energy or by continuing to use fossil fuels and nuclear power.
  • Non-renewable energy sources are finite and include coal, oil, gas and nuclear fuel.
  • Fossil fuels are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Renewable energy comes from sources that will not run out, including hydroelectric, wave and tidal, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass.
  • Most renewable energy sources do not produce greenhouse gases during operation, although emissions can still occur during manufacture, construction and transport.
  • Gas is an efficient and reliable fuel that is relatively easy to transport by pipeline, but it can explode, causes air pollution, emits carbon dioxide and has unstable prices.
  • Oil is efficient and reliable and can be transported by pipeline or tanker, but it can spill, catch fire or explode, emits carbon dioxide, causes air pollution and has limited reserves and unstable prices.
  • Coal has large global reserves and is cheap, accessible and reliable, but it emits carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, causes air pollution, damages habitats through opencast mining and carries transport and mining risks.
  • Nuclear power is efficient and needs only small amounts of uranium without producing greenhouse gases during generation, but it creates radioactive waste, is expensive to build and carries accident and health risks.
  • Hydroelectric power does not emit greenhouse gases during operation and can also reduce flooding and store water, but it floods land, traps sediment, disrupts ecosystems and fish movement, may displace people and is expensive to build and maintain.
  • Wave and tidal power produce no greenhouse gases or air pollution and can generate large amounts of reliable energy, but they are expensive and can damage marine ecosystems and have few suitable sites.
  • Wind power produces no greenhouse gases or air pollution and can be deployed onshore or offshore at different scales, but it is intermittent, creates visual and noise pollution and can affect bird migration and survival.
  • Solar power produces no greenhouse gases or air pollution during use and can be used at different scales in many locations, but it is expensive, intermittent and land-hungry.
  • Geothermal power is reliable and can produce large amounts of energy from many potential sites, but it is expensive, can emit sulphur compounds and creates maintenance problems because of high temperatures.
  • Biomass and waste energy use fuels that can regrow or be reused and are available in many places, but they cause air pollution, emit greenhouse gases and can be expensive.
  • Natural gas produces fewer emissions than other fossil fuels.
  • Natural gas formed from layers of decomposing plant and animal material over millions of years.
  • Natural gas is stored either in large cracks between rock layers or in tiny pores within sedimentary rock.
  • Russia, Iran and Qatar have the largest natural gas reserves.
  • Shale gas stored in sedimentary rock can be extracted by fracking.
  • Natural gas is easy to transport and has lower greenhouse gas emissions and fewer extraction risks than oil or coal, but fracking can pollute groundwater and trigger earthquakes, gas still emits carbon dioxide and methane, storage is expensive and many reserves are in politically unstable regions.
  • A sustainable energy supply balances energy supply and demand so that future generations can still meet their needs.
  • Sustainable energy supply should minimise environmental harm and benefit local communities.
  • Sustainable energy strategies include reducing waste, using energy more efficiently, developing renewable energy and conserving energy.
  • Individual carbon footprints can be reduced by walking or cycling, buying local and seasonal food, using electric or hybrid cars and switching off lights and appliances on standby.
  • Homes, businesses and industries can all reduce energy demand through energy-efficient design and behaviour.
  • Governments can reduce energy demand by offering grants or tax reductions for insulation and solar panels and financial incentives for electric or hybrid cars.
  • Building regulations can require new buildings to be more energy efficient.
  • Smart meters can reduce energy demand by making people more aware of how much energy they use.
  • Governments can cut transport energy demand by promoting electric cars, investing in public transport, encouraging car sharing, using congestion charging and building cycle lanes.
  • The UK plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2035.
  • The UK aims to achieve a net-zero rail network by 2050.
  • Combined heat and power captures waste heat from electricity generation to heat homes and businesses.
  • Carbon capture and storage removes carbon from fossil-fuel combustion and stores it underground.
  • More efficient engines, better vehicle aerodynamics, hybrid and electric cars and more efficient appliances can all reduce fossil-fuel use.
  • The Camisea Gas Project is Peru's largest natural gas project and extracts gas from Lots 88 and 56 in the Amazon rainforest in Cusco near the Urubamba River.
  • The Camisea Gas Project extracts gas from wells in the lower Urubamba basin and processes it at the Malvinas plant.
  • Pipelines from the Camisea Gas Project carry natural gas towards Lima and Callao and natural gas liquids towards Pisco on the Peruvian coast.
  • The Camisea Gas Project began operating in 2004 and is run by a consortium led by Pluspetrol.
  • The Camisea Gas Project is an example of fossil fuel extraction in a technically difficult and environmentally sensitive area.
  • The Camisea Gas Project increases Peru's domestic energy supply and helps to reduce energy insecurity.
  • Natural gas from the Camisea Gas Project can provide a more controllable and reliable energy supply than many renewable sources because output can be matched to demand.
  • Natural gas releases less carbon dioxide than coal or oil when burned, although it remains a fossil fuel.
  • The Camisea Gas Project has attracted major investment into Peru's energy infrastructure.
  • The Camisea Gas Project creates direct employment in gas extraction, processing and transport and indirect employment in linked industries.
  • Cheaper and more reliable energy from the Camisea Gas Project can support industry, transport and electricity generation in Peru.
  • Research by the Inter-American Development Bank found positive local economic effects after the Camisea Gas Project began operating.
  • Gas extraction in the Amazon can damage fragile ecosystems through road building, pipeline construction, drilling sites and disturbance to wildlife.
  • The Camisea Gas Project is close to Indigenous communities, including isolated groups that are highly vulnerable to outside diseases and disruption.
  • Survival International reports that part of Block 88 overlaps the Nahua-Nanti Reserve, which creates conflict between energy development and Indigenous rights.
  • Gas leaks and pipeline accidents from the Camisea Gas Project can contaminate land and rivers used by local communities.
  • Building pipelines across the Andes and the Amazon rainforest is expensive and technically difficult.
  • Natural gas is a non-renewable resource, so the Camisea Gas Project cannot provide a permanent energy solution.
  • Burning natural gas from the Camisea Gas Project still releases greenhouse gases and therefore contributes to climate change.
  • The Camisea Gas Project shows that fossil fuel extraction can improve energy supply and support economic growth.
  • The Camisea Gas Project also shows that extracting fossil fuels from environmentally sensitive areas can create serious social and environmental costs.
  • Chambamontera is an isolated rural community in the Cajamarca region of northern Peru where most livelihoods depend on small-scale coffee growing and livestock rearing.
  • Chambamontera is more than two hours from Jaen, the nearest town, on roads that can be difficult to use.
  • The scattered population and mountainous terrain around Chambamontera make connection to Peru's national electricity grid too expensive.
  • Lack of electricity in Chambamontera restricts education, healthcare, communication and business development.
  • The steep slopes, rivers and high rainfall of the Andes make small-scale hydroelectric power feasible in Chambamontera.
  • Practical Action helped Chambamontera develop a micro-hydro scheme between 2008 and 2009.
  • The Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme was originally designed to generate about 15 kilowatts of electricity.
  • The generator and Pelton wheel in the Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme were later upgraded to produce about 20 kilowatts of electricity.
  • The Chambamontera scheme diverts water from a stream to turn a turbine before returning the water to the river.
  • The Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme is a run-of-the-river project, so it does not require a large dam or reservoir.
  • Local people in Chambamontera contributed labour and materials to the scheme, which helped create a sense of community ownership.
  • The Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme brought electricity to about 60 families as well as the school and health centre.
  • Electric lighting in Chambamontera allows children to study after dark and makes homes safer.
  • Electricity in the Chambamontera health centre improves healthcare by enabling lighting and refrigeration.
  • Electricity from the Chambamontera scheme supports small businesses such as coffee processing, furniture making and food production.
  • The growth of small businesses in Chambamontera can raise incomes and create a multiplier effect in the local economy.
  • The Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme reduces the need to burn wood for energy, which helps to reduce deforestation and soil erosion.
  • Micro-hydroelectric power in Chambamontera is a renewable energy source with low running costs because it does not need fuel.
  • The Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme only serves a small community, so it does not solve Peru's wider energy insecurity.
  • Electricity generation in Chambamontera depends on reliable river flow, so very dry periods can reduce output.
  • The Chambamontera scheme still requires technical support for maintenance and safe wiring.
  • High upfront costs can make connection to the Chambamontera scheme difficult for low-income households even when credit is available.
  • The Chambamontera case study shows that a small-scale renewable energy scheme can improve quality of life in an isolated rural community.
  • The Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme is more sustainable than a large hydroelectric dam because it is cheaper, smaller and has fewer social and environmental impacts.

rocket_launchYou must be able to

  • Classify examples of resources as food, water or energy from the use they provide to people.
  • Interpret maps, graphs and tables to identify global inequalities in resource supply and resource consumption.
  • Explain how differences in access to food, water and energy affect economic development and social well-being in contrasting places.
  • Compare imported, seasonal, organic and locally sourced food options by considering cost, availability, food miles and carbon footprint.
  • Assess whether a change in UK food provision is more sustainable by weighing environmental impacts against consumer demand and price.
  • Interpret UK water-use data to identify how and why demand changes between domestic, industrial and agricultural users.
  • Distinguish areas of water surplus and water deficit in the UK by using rainfall and population distribution evidence.
  • Evaluate whether a water transfer scheme is justified by considering supply, demand, cost and environmental consequences.
  • Identify likely sources of water pollution in a scenario and link each source to its effects on water quality and ecosystems.
  • Recommend an appropriate water management response to a pollution problem by matching measures such as treatment, regulation or infrastructure investment to the source.
  • Interpret graphs of the UK energy mix to describe changes in the balance between fossil fuels, nuclear power and renewables over time.
  • Explain how geology, climate, location, water supply, cost, technology and politics influence the availability of different energy sources.
  • Compare renewable and non-renewable energy sources for reliability, affordability, environmental impact and long-term sustainability.
  • Assess why a country may face energy insecurity by linking demand growth, uneven resource distribution and dependence on imports.
  • Evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of exploiting energy resources in difficult or environmentally sensitive areas.
  • Use evidence from a named fossil-fuel extraction example to weigh benefits such as jobs and energy security against social and environmental costs.
  • Assess how energy insecurity could affect industrial output, food production, prices and the risk of conflict in a named place or scenario.
  • Recommend a strategy to increase energy supply by judging which mix of renewable, fossil fuel and nuclear options best fits given constraints.
  • Propose ways that households, transport systems or governments could reduce energy demand and carbon emissions in a realistic context.
  • Use a named local renewable energy scheme in an LIC or NEE to explain how small-scale energy projects can improve quality of life sustainably.


Revision Quiz

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