3.2.3 The Challenge of Resource Management — Topic Overview

This topic examines global patterns of resource consumption — food, water and energy — and one resource in depth (your school chooses food, water or energy).

Global resource consumption patterns

Resource consumption is highly unequal:

• HICs consume far more food, water and energy per person than LICs
• The "ecological footprint" of an average person in the USA is many times larger than someone in Chad
• Growing global population (8 billion and rising) + rising living standards = increasing resource pressure

Food resources

Global food supply: agricultural production has increased dramatically but is unevenly distributed. Malnutrition includes both undernutrition (not enough food) and overnutrition (too much processed food). Food insecurity = when people lack reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food.

Causes of food insecurity: climate (drought, flooding), poverty, conflict, rapid population growth, water shortages, land degradation.

Increasing food supply: Green Revolution (high-yield variety crops, irrigation, fertilisers), GM crops, aquaculture, appropriate technology.

Sustainable food: reducing food miles, organic farming, permaculture, urban farming, reducing meat consumption.

Water resources

Global water supply: most water is saltwater (97 %) or locked in ice caps (2 %); only 1 % freshwater is accessible. Water stress = when demand exceeds supply.

Causes of water insecurity: rapid population growth, economic development, climate change (altered precipitation), pollution.

Managing water: large-scale (dams, reservoirs, water transfer schemes) vs small-scale/appropriate tech (rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, drip irrigation).

Energy resources

Energy mix: different countries use different combinations of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), nuclear and renewables (solar, wind, hydro). Energy security = access to reliable, affordable energy.

Demand for energy has increased due to population growth, industrialisation and rising living standards.

Sustainable energy: reducing consumption (insulation, LEDs), renewables (wind, solar, tidal), energy-efficient transport.

Exam focus

• Know the global pattern of food/water/energy consumption (HIC vs LIC)
• Apply case studies for your chosen resource
• Evaluate large-scale vs small-scale management strategies