Consider this... There are many indications that human population is pushing up against the limits of the Earth’s resources: The number of starving people has increased over the last decade. Of children worldwide, 25% have protein-energy malnutrition. The long term trend for grain production per person is falling. About 40% of agricultural land is moderately degraded and 9% is highly degraded. Water for agriculture needs to increase 60% to feed an additional 2 billion people by Water scarcity already affects every continent ad 4 of every 10 people in the world. A quarter of all fish stocks are overhauled Demand for animal protein may increase 50% by 2020 There are concerns that global peak oil production will come as early as the next decade.

World Population Development

Recent demographic change and forecasts Total population and the rate of population growth are much higher in the less developed world compared to the more developed world.

How can resources be defined? Natural/Human? Natural – naturally occurring substances e.g. Oil, forests and fish, which are considered to have value by human populations. Some countries such as Japan have limited resources so have to rely on the skills and abilities of their population to build up the wealth in their country. Human and Natural resources are closely linked because of the importance of the former in the development and exploitation of the latter.

For natural resources the traditional distinction is between renewable and non-renewable resources. Some resources can be defined as semi-renewable. Some resources are used p quicker than the rate that they can be replenished, these will decline and even eventually become exhausted... Fossil Fuels Forests, Plants, Soils Animals, Fish Solar energy, Tidal and wind power

How changes in technology and society may result in changes in the definition of resources The development of new resources The replacement of less efficient with more efficient resources The replacement of water power by steam power resulted in rapid development of the UK’s coalfields. Construction of steel works and iron ores improved Intense pressure on food supplies during the WWII resulted in the ploughing up of large areas. Advances in agriculture science made it possible to obtain reasonable crop yields. Development of nuclear power The electrification of the railway system. The location of oil and gas in the deeper parts of the north sea Renewable energy technology, particularly the construction of offshore wind farms. Recycling has increased considerably

Variations in energy supplies PHYSICAL ECONOMIC POLITICAL Deposits of fossil fuels are only found in a limited number of occasions. The most accessible, and lowest costs, deposits of fossil fuels are invariably developed first Countries wanting to develop nuclear electricity require permission from the international Atomic Energy Agency Large power stations require flat land and stable foundations. Onshore deposits of oil and gas are usually cheaper to develop tan offshore deposits International agreements such as Kyoto Protocol can have a considerable influence on the energy decisions of individual Solar power needs a large number of days a year with strong sunlight. Potential hydroelectric sites close to major transport routes and existing electricity transmission corridors Potential HEP schemes on ‘international rivers’ may require the agreement of other countries that share the river Wind power needs high average wind speeds throughout the year. In poor countries foreign direct investment is often essential for the development of energy resources Governments may insist on energy companies producing a certain proportion of their energy from renewable sources Tidal power stations require a very large tidal range When energy prices rise significantly, companies increase spending on exploration and development Legislation regarding emissions from power stations will favour the use, for example, of low-sulphur coal as opposed to coal with a high sulphur content The availability of biomass varies widely due to climatic conditions Biomass varies widely due to climatic conditions

Case Studies Problems of water supply in the western USA Wheat: Growing concerns about global supplies Contrasting resource management in the EU: Fishing + Farming

Key Terms... Carrying Capacity Demographic Transition Crude Birth Rate Crude Death Rate Infant Mortality Rate Life Expectancy Rate of Natural Change Economic Optimum Optimum Population Overpopulated Underpopulated Anti-Malthusians/ resource optimists Malthusians Resource Depletion Resource Management Ecological Footprints Global Biocapacity Global Hectares Quota Overfishing Bycatch