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Patterns in Resource consumption
Patterns of Resource Consumption
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Introductory YouTube into the concept of Ecological Footprints
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Interactive map link
"The Guardian: Carbon map – which countries are responsible for climate change?"
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Write down the following definitions and make notes on the 'Ecological Footprint'.
Ecological footprint = the theoretical measurement of the amount of land and water a population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its waste, under prevailing technology.
How is the Ecological Footprint calculated? The calculations take the following resources into account:
Ecological Footprint The planet's biological productive capacity (biocapacity) is approximately 1.9 hectares (4.7 acres) per person. Globally, we use up to 2.2 hectares per person. |
Answer the following questions:
Territory size shows the proportion of the worldwide ecological footprint which is made there
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Interpret the following two images: What do they show and what is their significance.
Ecological footprint per person
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Ecological debtors and creditors
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Global Hectare: The measurement of biocapacity and ecological footprint.
There were 13.4billion hectares of biologically productive land and water on this planet in 2005. Dividing by the number of people alive in that year, 6.5 billion, gives 2.1 global hectares per person. Ecological Debitor: Country's whole ecological footprint is higher than their biocapacity. Ecological Creditor: Country's whose ecological footprint is lower than their biocapacity. Biocapacity - is the capacity of an area to provide resources and absorb wastes. When the area's ecological footprint exceeds its biocapacity, an ecological deficit occurs. |
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Make notes on the various Population Theories on the PowerPoint |
| population_theories_-_malthus_and_boserup.pptx |
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Case Study:
Create a set of notes on: Malthusian Theory - Easter Island
Create a set of notes on: Malthusian Theory - Easter Island
Case Study
Create a set of notes on Anti-Malthusian Theory (Boserup).
You will need to find ways that technology has aided in increased food production and growth. For example focus on the Green Revolution, GM products, Hydroponics etc.
Create a set of notes on Anti-Malthusian Theory (Boserup).
You will need to find ways that technology has aided in increased food production and growth. For example focus on the Green Revolution, GM products, Hydroponics etc.
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Why is there a food shortage in the world?
Is overpopulation always the answer? |
Overview of Overpopulation - Humorous
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Changing Patterns of Energy Consumption
Introduction: Oil Addiction
Interpret the following maps and explain their importance.
World Oil Reserves
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Oil Exports
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Oil Imports to the USA
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Complete the worksheet whist watching the two YouTubes.
Pay special attention to Hubbert's Peak. 
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Hubbert's Peak
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Watch the YouTube on the right and complete the worksheet below.
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Case Study
The Environmental impacts of producing oil.
This case study has already been completed as part of the unit: Oceans and their Coastal Margins. Look for the case study on 'DeepWater Horizon'.
The Environmental impacts of producing oil.
This case study has already been completed as part of the unit: Oceans and their Coastal Margins. Look for the case study on 'DeepWater Horizon'.
Create a Mind Map using Coggle or ExamTime on the factors that influence the demand and production of oil. For each of the reasons read the link and provide one factual piece of evidence about the specific example.
Click on the barrels of oil to take you to the resource page
Alternatives to Fossil Fuels
There are many alternatives but we will only be looking at three:
There are many alternatives but we will only be looking at three:
- Wind
- Biomass
- Solar
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Wind
Using the wind to move a wind turbine to drive a generator and create electricity
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Biomass
The use of biological matter to create energy. It is a renewable form of energy, but because the mater is often burnt it still releases greenhouse gases
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Solar
Using the power of the sun to either heat water or generate electricity. Solar power cells convert sunlight into electricity, using the energy of speeding photons to create an electrical current within a solar panel.
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Assignment:
Create a PowerPoint on each of the tree types of renewable energy:
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Possible Resources:
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Conservation Strategies
Please note that the resource is Crude oil (plastic bags are made from this) and Fossil fuels. Carbon is the byproduct of consuming the resource (fossil fuels). This is a common mistake and you need to pay attention to the wording of the question.
Why are Conservation Strategies important?
The amount of rubbish we create is constantly increasing because:
The amount of rubbish we create is constantly increasing because:
- Increasing wealth means that people are buying more products and ultimately creating more waste.
- Increasing population means that there are more people on the planet to create waste.
- New packaging and technological products are being developed, much of these products contain materials that are not biodegradable.
- New lifestyle changes, such as eating fast food, means that we create additional waste that isn't biodegradable.
The length of time it takes to biodegrade an item
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What Europe does with its waste
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Link to Americas largest landfills site
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Watch the following YouTube and Explain what are the 3 R's?
Make notes on how the 3 R's can be implemented from the following links
The average wastebin
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The waste cycle
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Plastic Bags
Crude oil and plastic resources
Watch the following YouTubes and complete the worksheet
| worksheet_on_plastic_bags.docx |
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What are some solutions to this problem?
Make some notes using the following links. Remember to focus on France as your Case Study.
Make some notes using the following links. Remember to focus on France as your Case Study.
IB Style Question:
Evaluate the effectiveness of tackling the problem of plastic bags in one named country
Evaluate the effectiveness of tackling the problem of plastic bags in one named country
National scale case study - Reduction in resource consumption (Fossil Fuels - Carbon)
Study the following pictures and visit the following websites and discuss why we must reduce the consumption of Fossil Fuels
Study the following pictures and visit the following websites and discuss why we must reduce the consumption of Fossil Fuels
Global temperatures compared to CO2 emissions
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Regional data on resources used to produce electricity
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Carbon emissions per country
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The Kyoto Protocol
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| kyoto_protocol.pptx |
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Other international initiatives
Summarise each one briefly The Stern review http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6098362.stm Extended reading http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/30_10_06_exec_sum.pdf The 2009 Copenhagen climate change conference http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8424522.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8278973.stm |
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Barriers to Sustainable Development
Poverty: Renewable and sustainable technology e.g. hybrid cars, solar panels and energy saving light bulbs can be very expensive. When people are poor, there priority is feeding, clothing and housing their family, not worrying about saving energy. Renewable Technology and Technology: Many renewable technologies are sill in their infancy. In many cases the technology is still inefficient e.g. wave and tidal power. Unlike fossil fuels it is very hard to adjust the supply of renewable energy to meet changes in demand e.g. it is not possible to make the wind blow harder or the sun shine harder when demand is highest. Also technology to store surplus energy is still very inefficient. Population Growth: The world's population is currently at about 7 billion and rising rapidly. Predictions vary, but most people believe it will reach at least 9 billion which is obviously going to put an increase in pressure on energy and resources. Tipping Point: Some scientists believe that we have already reached a tipping point on climate change. They believe whatever we do now won't make a difference. Development: There are still millions of people living in poverty. As they develop they will want to have many of the luxuries we have e.g. washing machines, private toilets, cars, etc. You cannot deny anyone the luxuries we have, so it will be necessary to look at how we can make them more sustainable. Education: If you are going to develop sustainably, you need to know what it means and how its achieved. You also need people who can develop, operate and maintain sustainable technology. If you have a largely illiterate population, this might not be possible. Enforcement: Even if you have laws to reduce pollution and use more renewable energy, it can be very hard to police this. Countries may not have the manpower, time or technology to monitor and enforce the law. International Consensus: With over 200 countries in the world, it is extremely hard to get everyone to agree that climate change is happening, let alone agree on how to solve it. Famously the US did not sign the Kyoto protocol. However, they are not the only country reluctant to make cuts in greenhouse gases that may impact development. Both India and China who have growing economies and growing populations would argue that the have the right to develop in a similar manner to how current MEDCs developed. Habit: Once habits have been formed, it is very hard to break them. If you are used to using a dishwasher, air-con, televisions and driving to work, it is very hard to give them up. It is therefore important to teach young people how to save energy and be sustainable so that they get into good habits. For everyone else you have to try and make bad habits more sustainable e.g. hybrid cars or energy saving light bulbs. |
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