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Challenges in the Urban Environment - Resources (Water), Nuclear energy is…
Challenges in the Urban Environment - Resources (Water)
Overview of Food in the UK
High-value Foods:
As peoples incomes have increased, exotic fruits, vegetables spices and coffee have become more popular. These foods are often grown in LICs e.g. Ethiopia and then exported to the HICs e.g. UK
Seasonal Products:
Seasonal food is only available during the months that it grows. Fruit and vegetables are imported to meet the demand for seasonal produce all year round
Organic Produce:
People are becoming more concerned about the morals of farming animals, environmental impacts of food production, and how chemicals can affect their health. As organic food production is strictly regulated, demand is growing. Some organic food is produced in the UK, but lots is imported
Carbon Footprint
A measurement of all the greenhouse gases we individually produce, through burning fossil fuels for electricity, transport etc. expressed as tonnes (or kg) or carbon dioxide equivalent
Food miles therefore contribute to the carbon footprint of our food. the transport types used output huge quantities of greenhouse gases such as the Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide. However, transport is only part of the carbon footprint of our food. An increased carbon footprint has a direct impact on our environment.
Other food items produce carbon dioxide, including packaging, especially plastic packaging, the retail spaces that sell our food (in the form of electricity use, heating, refrigeration etc.) agricultural production of carbon, food use etc.
Agribusiness
Treating farming like a large industrial business increases food production. This is achieved by increasing the size of farms by removing hedgerows and combining small farms and increasing the use of mechanisation and chemicals. Agribusinesses also package and transport the food to the customers. However, employment in agriculture declines due to the use of machinery and there is a negative impact on the environment as increased amounts of greenhouse gases are produced
The farms have increased food production by:
Increasing in size by buying up smaller farms
Increasing in size by removing hedgerows and draining wetlands
Producing one crop or animal in mono-cultures in big quantities
Applying huge amounts of chemicals in the form of fertilisers and pesticides
Applying the best technology such as combined harvester or using better seeds
Using modern production methods
Overview of Water in the UK
Distribution
The north and west of the UK have high rainfall. These are areas of water surplus
The south east and the Midlands have high population densities, so there's a high demand for water. They are areas of water deficit
Demand
Since 1975, the amount of water used by households in the UK has gone up by about 70%. This is partly because people have more appliances that use lots of water
The UK population is predicted to increase by over 6 million people by 2040, to total nearly 73 million
Population densities are also changing - there are plans to build lots of new homes in the south east where there is already a water deficit
Pollution
Polluted or low quality water reduces the amount available for use, putting pressure on water resources
Up to 80% of water in parts of southern England comes from underground, but pollution is affecting the water quality of nearly up to 50% of groundwater used for public supply in the UK. Many groundwater sources have closed or have needed expensive treatment to make them safe to use
Strategies to manage water quality include improving drainage systems and imposing regulations on the amount and types of fertilisers and pesticides used
Water Transfers
One solution to the supply and demand problem is to transfer water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit. This can cause issues:
The dams and aqueducts that are needed are expensive to build
It can affect the wildlife that lives in the rivers
There might be political issues
Overview of Energy in the UK
Economic Issues
Extracting fossil fuels (non-renewable) is expensive and the cost of extraction increases as reserves are used up and so the cost to the consumer are high
North Sea oil is especially expensive to produce
The cost to the consumer of electricity from nuclear and renewable energy is relatively high however it is still lower than fossil fuels (non-renewable)
Money is needed for research into alternative energy sources E.g. Hinkley Point which is going to cost £20.3bn
Domestic sources don't currently provide enough energy to meet demand so the UK has to pay to import energy from other countries
Environmental Issues
The burning of fossil fuels releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases
Fracking may pollute groundwater and cause mini-earthquakes - it was halted in the UK in 2019
Accidents, such as oil spills or nuclear disasters, can leak toxic chemicals into water sources, soils and the atmosphere
Natural ecosystems can be damaged by renewable energy generators like large wind farms
Traditionally the UK has relied on fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) to supply energy. In 1970 91% of our energy came from coal and oil
The discovery of large gas reserves under the North Sea meant that by 1980 22% of the UK's energy was supplied by gas
Recently, there has been a shift away from burning fossil fuels and towards renewable sources
Wind and Bioenergy are the biggest renewable sources of renewable energy
North Sea oil and gas reserves are being swiftly used up and production has been declining since 2000
The UK still has coal reserves, but coal production has significantly decreased since the mid-20th century. There has been less demand due to reduce CO2 emissions
Water
Increasing Water Supply
Dams and Reservoirs:
Rainfall can be unpredictable or prone to seasonal variation - this can cause water deficits at certain times of the year.
Building a storage dam across a river traps water behind the dam, creating a reservoir
Dams are expensive and can flood agricultural land
Desalination:
Desalination removes the salt from seawater so it can be used.
There are two main processes - seawater is either heated until it evaporates and is condensed as freshwater, or seawater is passed through a membrane that removes salt
Is very costly and needs to be near the sea
Diversion / Transfer of Water:
They use dams and pipelines to transfer water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit. This means you can use a place with heavy rainfall to supply other areas.
Helps to relieve water shortages
Damages fish stocks causing environmental issues
Water Insecurity
Water availability
Physical Factors
Climate - Most places rely on rainfall to feed lakes and rivers for their water supply. In hotter climates, more water evaporates from these stores
Geology - When rain falls on impermeable rock, eg clay, it runs off into rivers and lakes. If rain falls on permeable rock, eg sandstone, it infiltrates into the ground and forms underground stores which is harder to access
Economic and Social Factors
Over-abstraction - This is when more water from natural sources is used than it is replaced
Polluted water sources - Water pollution is a major problem in rapidly urbanising countries where industrial waste is dumped into rivers without being treated
Limited infrastructure - Rapid urbanisation means that more pumps and pipes are needed to ensure safe and reliable access to water. If water pipes and sewers aren't built quickly enough sewage can contaminate the water supply
Poverty - Water suppliers charge a fee for supplying water to homes which people may not be able to afford
Impacts
Pollution and Disease
Reduced Food Production
Reduced Industrial Output
Conflict
Sustainable Water Supply
Water Conservation:
At a household level, people can:
Shower instead of bathing, and shower less frequently
Use more efficient appliances
At a national level:
The water infrastructure can be improved to reduce leaking
In agriculture, farmers can switch to more efficient forms of irrigation
Groundwater Management:
Pollution can be minimised by imposing fines on industries that leaks waste into water systems. Also, farmers can be encouraged to use fewer harmful fertilisers
Governments can impose laws limiting the amount of groundwater extraction. However, laws are not always easy to enforce, especially if stores are shared by multiple countries, and wells in LICs are largely unregulated
Recycling:
Once water has been used, it can be treated and used again. This reduces the need extract more water from natural resources
Recycled water can be used for irrigation, industry, flushing toilets and even washing
Treating recycled water in sewage plants removes harmful bacteria and makes it safe to drink
Grey Water:
Grey water is relatively clean waste water from washing machines, baths, showers and sinks. It also includes rainwater collected in water butts
This water is recycled without being treated. It is clean enough for use in toilet flushing or for watering gardens. However, it is not suitable for drinking
Case Study: China - SNWTP (Large Scale - NEE)
Facts
Northern China is an area of water insecurity. Its dry climate means that there is a limited supply of water. However, it's large population, agriculture and industry mean that demand for water is high
To help alleviate the problem, the Chinese government is constructing a water transfer project to move water from the more humid south to the drier north
How it Works
China's South-to-North Water Transfer Project is a network of canals and tunnels designed to transfer 44.8 billion cubic meters of water from the humid south to the arid north of the country
Transfer will occur vis three canal systems: the Central, the Eastern and the Western. Two of these systems, the Central and the Eastern, have already been completed
Advantages
Large water supplies are provided to areas of water insecurity. It is estimated that 100 million people have benefitted from water transfer in the north
Industry uses large amounts of water. Increasing water supply supports China's economic development and generates more wealth for the country
Agriculture requires large amounts of water for irrigation. Increasing water supply allows more crops to be grown for food
By 2050, the water transfer project is expected to reach its capacity and be able to transfer 44.8 billion cubic meters of water per year
Disadvantages
The scheme was expected to cost $60 billion but is currently at more than $71 billion without being finished
Communities have been displaced, farmland destroyed and natural habitats damaged to make way for large reservoirs, such as the Danjiangkou Reservoir
The completed project will mostly supply urban areas so people in rural areas will have little to no access. The project is also very expensive, so many people in urban areas will not be able to afford to access it
Water transfer to the north is creating water scarcity in the south. Major lakes along the Yangtze River are drying up
Case Study: Ethiopia - Hitosa (Small Scale - LIC)
140Km gravity fed water transfer
Pipeline that runs from mountain spring on Mt Bada to Hitosa
Partly funded by Water Aid
Supplies water to 65,000 people
122 public water points and 143 private connections
Benefits
Construction was completed on time and within cost. Water aid provided over half the funding
Twenty years on it still supplies 65,000 people with 25L water per day
Managed by the local community as it is small scale
Problems
The pipeline may be too costly to replace after its expected lifetime of 30 years
Hygiene around the taps has been neglected so the risk of disease has increased
Global Distribution of Resources
Supply and Consumption
HIC:
Consumption of resources is greater in HICs because they can afford to buy the resources they need and expect a higher standard of living.
NEE:
Consumption is increasing rapidly in NEEs such as China. Industry is developing quickly and population and wealth are also increasing rapidly
LIC:
Consumption is lower in LICs such as Uganda, because they can't afford to either:
exploit available resources
OR
import lacking resources
Food, Energy and Water
Food:
When people cant access enough safe, nutritious food, they can't eat the right balance of nutrients. This can cause malnourishment. Malnourishment includes undernourishment - where people don't get enough food of any kind
Malnourishment can limit children's development and increase the likelihood of getting ill - globally, one third of all under-5s die from diseases linked to malnourishment
Water:
People need clean, safe water for drinking, cooking and washing
Without proper sanitation, water sources get polluted by raw sewage
Water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid kill many people each year
Water is needed to produce food, clothes and many other products, so it has a big impact on people's lifestyles
Energy:
Countries need energy for industry and transport, as well as for use in homes
Electricity can allow countries to develop industry, creating jobs and wealth
Lifestyles in higher income countries depend on a large, stable supply of energy
Without electricity, people in lower income countries and newly emerging economies may use other resources. Burning wood can lead to local deforestation, so people have to walk further to find fuel. Kerosene stoves can release harmful fumes
Electricity can also power pumps for wells and provide more safe water for communities
Nuclear energy is non-renewable however doesn't release greenhouse gases