THE GEOGRAPHER ONLINE

IB Core

  • Home
    • How to make a website: Tools and experiences
    • Maps and Regions
    • Travel Photographs and Videos
    • Live: Global Hazards and Disasters
    • Geography in the news
    • The Big Geography Challenge
  • New IB Geography 2017 onwards
    • IB Geography Introduction
    • Part 1: Geographical Themes >
      • Option B: Oceans and coastal margins >
        • 1. Ocean–atmosphere interactions
        • 2. Interactions between oceans and coastal places
        • 3. Managing coastal margins
        • 4. Ocean management futures
      • Option D: Geophysical Hazards >
        • 1. Geophysical systems
        • 2. Geophysical hazard risks
        • 3. Hazard risk and vulnerability
        • 4. Future resilience and adaptation
    • Part 2: Core Units (SL&HL) >
      • Unit 1: Changing Population >
        • 1. Population and economic development patterns
        • 2. Changing Populations and Places
        • 3. Challenges and opportunities
      • Unit 2: Global climate—vulnerability and resilience >
        • 1. Causes of global climate change
        • 2. Consequences of global climate change
        • 3. Responding to global climate change
      • Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security >
        • 1: Global trends in consumption
        • 2: Impacts of changing trends in resource consumption
        • 3: Resource stewardship
    • Part 3: HL Core Extensions >
      • Unit 4: Power, places and networks >
        • 1. Global interactions and global power
      • Unit 5: Human development and diversity
      • Unit 6: Global risks and resilience
    • Internal Assessment
    • Why should I study IB Geography?
  • IB Geography (Old Syllabus)
    • IB Core >
      • 1. Populations in Transition
      • 2. Disparities in Wealth and Development
      • 3. Patterns in Environmental Quality and Sustainability
      • 4. Patterns in Resource Consumption
    • Part 1: Geographical Themes >
      • Oceans and their Coastal Margins
      • Hazards and disasters - risk assessment and response
      • Freshwater - issues and conflicts
      • Urban Environments
    • Global Interactions - HL >
      • Measuring Global Interactions
      • Changing Space - The Shrinking world
      • Economic Interactions and Flows
      • Environmental Change
      • Sociocultural Exchanges
      • Political Outcomes
      • Global Interactions at the Local Level
    • IB Guidance >
      • Syllabus Guidance
      • IB Examination Guidance
    • Extended Essay
  • IGCSE Geography
    • Theme 1: Population and settlement >
      • Population Dynamics
      • Migration
      • Settlements
      • Urban Settlements
      • Urbanisation
    • Theme 2: The natural environment >
      • Plate Tectonics
      • Coasts
      • Rivers
      • Weather and Climate
      • Climate and Ecosystems
    • Theme 3: Economic development >
      • Development
      • Food Production
      • Industry
      • Energy
      • Tourism
      • Water
      • Environmental Risks of Economic development
    • GCSE Key Terms
    • GCSE Coursework
    • Alternative to Coursework
    • IGCSE Geography Examination Advice
    • IGCSE Revision Games
  • Key Stage 3
    • Year 6 >
      • My Place
      • Rivers
      • Brazil
    • Year 7 >
      • Maps and the world
      • Rocky Landscapes
      • Settlement
      • Weather & Climate
    • Year 8 >
      • Maps Introduction
      • Plate Tectonics
      • Economic Activity
      • Biomes
    • Year 9 >
      • Map Skills - review
      • Development
      • Coasts
      • Tourism
      • Paradise lost - Tourism in Thailand
  • AS Level Geography
    • World at Risk
    • Crowded Coasts
  • Geography Skills
  • Donations & Contact
  • YouTube Channel
  • Essential computer programs
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Patterns in Resource consumption 

Index
1. Patterns of resource consumption
2. Changing patterns of energy consumption
3. Conservation stratergies
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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:
    1. Arable Land Required: the amount of land required for growing crops for food, fiber, animal feed etc.
    2. Pasture Land Required: the resources required for growing animals for meat, hides, milk etc.
    3. Forest Resources: the resources needed for fuel, furniture, housing, etc and for providing many ecosystem service like climate stability and erosion prevention.
    4. Ocean Resources: water needed for fish and other marine products
    5. Infrastructure Needed: land needed for transportation and building factories, housing etc.
    6. Energy Costs: land required for absorbing carbon dioxide emissions and other wastes.

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.

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Answer the following questions:
  1. What is the meaning of biological productive capacity (biocapacity)? [2]
  2. Discuss the potential impact of our current biocapacity usage compared to the planet's biocapacity productive capacity.
  3. Interpret the relationship shown in the map below. What can we see?
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Territory size shows the proportion of the worldwide ecological footprint which is made there

Interpret the following two images: What do they show and what is their significance. 
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Ecological footprint per person
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Ecological debtors and creditors

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.
  • Calculate your ecological footprint from the WWF site.

  • Compare population to resource consumption. 

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Make notes on the various Population Theories on the PowerPoint
Population theories - Malthus and Boserup from Steven Heath
population_theories_-_malthus_and_boserup.pptx
File Size: 1287 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File

Extended Reading on Population Theories:

Population Theories Overview
boserups_theory.pdf
File Size: 963 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


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Case Study:
Create a set of notes on: Malthusian Theory - Easter Island 

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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.

Why is there a food shortage in the world?
Is overpopulation always the answer?
Overview of Overpopulation - Humorous 


Changing Patterns of Energy Consumption

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Introduction: Oil Addiction

Interpret the following maps and explain their importance.
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World Oil Reserves
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Oil Exports
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Oil Imports to the USA

Complete the worksheet whist watching the two YouTubes.
Pay special attention to Hubbert's Peak.
peak_oil.docx
File Size: 99 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

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Hubbert's Peak

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Watch the YouTube on the right and complete the worksheet below. 
fracking_worksheet.docx
File Size: 15 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


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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'.


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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. 
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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: 
  1. Wind 
  2. Biomass
  3. Solar
Wind
Using the wind to move a wind turbine to drive a generator and create electricity
Advantages
  • It is a clean form of energy
  • It is an infinite resource
  • It can be used on a local scale e.g. in your back garden
  • Technology is proven
Disadvantages
  • Visual pollution 
  • Noise pollution
  • Wind is unreliable
  • It is hard to store surplus energy
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
Advantages
  • It is a renewable form of energy as long as people replant crops.
  • It is cheap and the resources can be grown locally
Disadvantages
  • It can still release greenhouse gases.
  • Areas can be deforested to grow crops for energy generation.
  • If crops are used for energy production it can lead to an increase in food prices.
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.
Advantages
  • It is a clean form of energy
  • It is a infinite resource
  • Panels can be used locally e.g. on top of someones house
  • It can be used to heat water and generate electricity.
Disadvantages
  • It is expensive to make solar panels
  • The sun does not shine all the time
  • They can't be used at night
  • It is hard store surplus energy
  • Supply does not always equal demand

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Assignment: 
Create a PowerPoint on each of the tree types of renewable energy: 
  • Location map to show suitable places to generate this type of energy.
  • Details of how this form of energy can be harnessed (the production and mechanisms). Add images.
  • Case study of domestic & industrial use in MEDC's (name and detail scheme)
  • Case study of practical uses in LEDC's (name and detail scheme)
  • Drawbacks and criticisms
  • Evaluation of suitability for future mass use.
Possible Resources:
  1. National Geographic Biofuels
  2. Biofuels and the poor 
  3. Ethiopia wind farm example
wind_energy.pdf
File Size: 433 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

alternative_sources_of_energy.docx
File Size: 16 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Previous Student Work

Conservation Strategies 

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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:
  • 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.
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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

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
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Reduce
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Reuse
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Recycle

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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
File Size: 13 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

What are some solutions to this problem?
Make some notes using the following links. Remember to focus on France as your Case Study.
  1. Reasons to reuse plastic bags 
  2. BBC article on Plastic Bags 
  3. Plastic Bags in France
  4. Ted Talk on Recycling Plastic 

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IB Style Question:
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
  1. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/apr/21/carbon-calculator-targets
  2. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/interactive/2010/apr/21/national-carbon-calculator
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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

The Kyoto Protocol
  1. What is the Kyoto Agreement (background)?
    • http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/mar/11/kyoto-protocol
    • http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2233897.stm
  2. What are its aims?
    • http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2005/feb/16/sciencenews.environment
    • http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4269921.stm
  3. Problems, failures and successes of Kyoto
    • http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2012/nov/26/kyoto-protocol-carbon-emissions
The Kyoto protocol from Steven Heath
kyoto_protocol.pptx
File Size: 2300 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File


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

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.
www.thegeographeronline.net
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The Geographer Online is an educational website aimed at providing geography teaching resources for all levels. 
Created and Developed by: Steven Heath

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  • Home
    • How to make a website: Tools and experiences
    • Maps and Regions
    • Travel Photographs and Videos
    • Live: Global Hazards and Disasters
    • Geography in the news
    • The Big Geography Challenge
  • New IB Geography 2017 onwards
    • IB Geography Introduction
    • Part 1: Geographical Themes >
      • Option B: Oceans and coastal margins >
        • 1. Ocean–atmosphere interactions
        • 2. Interactions between oceans and coastal places
        • 3. Managing coastal margins
        • 4. Ocean management futures
      • Option D: Geophysical Hazards >
        • 1. Geophysical systems
        • 2. Geophysical hazard risks
        • 3. Hazard risk and vulnerability
        • 4. Future resilience and adaptation
    • Part 2: Core Units (SL&HL) >
      • Unit 1: Changing Population >
        • 1. Population and economic development patterns
        • 2. Changing Populations and Places
        • 3. Challenges and opportunities
      • Unit 2: Global climate—vulnerability and resilience >
        • 1. Causes of global climate change
        • 2. Consequences of global climate change
        • 3. Responding to global climate change
      • Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security >
        • 1: Global trends in consumption
        • 2: Impacts of changing trends in resource consumption
        • 3: Resource stewardship
    • Part 3: HL Core Extensions >
      • Unit 4: Power, places and networks >
        • 1. Global interactions and global power
      • Unit 5: Human development and diversity
      • Unit 6: Global risks and resilience
    • Internal Assessment
    • Why should I study IB Geography?
  • IB Geography (Old Syllabus)
    • IB Core >
      • 1. Populations in Transition
      • 2. Disparities in Wealth and Development
      • 3. Patterns in Environmental Quality and Sustainability
      • 4. Patterns in Resource Consumption
    • Part 1: Geographical Themes >
      • Oceans and their Coastal Margins
      • Hazards and disasters - risk assessment and response
      • Freshwater - issues and conflicts
      • Urban Environments
    • Global Interactions - HL >
      • Measuring Global Interactions
      • Changing Space - The Shrinking world
      • Economic Interactions and Flows
      • Environmental Change
      • Sociocultural Exchanges
      • Political Outcomes
      • Global Interactions at the Local Level
    • IB Guidance >
      • Syllabus Guidance
      • IB Examination Guidance
    • Extended Essay
  • IGCSE Geography
    • Theme 1: Population and settlement >
      • Population Dynamics
      • Migration
      • Settlements
      • Urban Settlements
      • Urbanisation
    • Theme 2: The natural environment >
      • Plate Tectonics
      • Coasts
      • Rivers
      • Weather and Climate
      • Climate and Ecosystems
    • Theme 3: Economic development >
      • Development
      • Food Production
      • Industry
      • Energy
      • Tourism
      • Water
      • Environmental Risks of Economic development
    • GCSE Key Terms
    • GCSE Coursework
    • Alternative to Coursework
    • IGCSE Geography Examination Advice
    • IGCSE Revision Games
  • Key Stage 3
    • Year 6 >
      • My Place
      • Rivers
      • Brazil
    • Year 7 >
      • Maps and the world
      • Rocky Landscapes
      • Settlement
      • Weather & Climate
    • Year 8 >
      • Maps Introduction
      • Plate Tectonics
      • Economic Activity
      • Biomes
    • Year 9 >
      • Map Skills - review
      • Development
      • Coasts
      • Tourism
      • Paradise lost - Tourism in Thailand
  • AS Level Geography
    • World at Risk
    • Crowded Coasts
  • Geography Skills
  • Donations & Contact
  • YouTube Channel
  • Essential computer programs