Britain’s Resource Depletion
The energy resources, natural resources and environment of the Earth are depleting.
This is beyond the control of most individuals.
The energy resources, natural resources and environment of Britain are depleting.
This is not beyond the control of most individuals.
Imports of materials into Britain is common.
These materials will become scarce after oil depletion begins in 2020.
Britain will become gradually unable to obtain them for manufacturing purposes.
Consequently obtaining a complete list of natural resources in Britain assists the survival of the population after energy, natural resources and environment begin to deplete.
The following is a list of materials their volumes, availability, use and depletion rates in peak year and end of resource year where applicable that occur in Britain.
Each material heading is dated with the materials critical period.
Population -2050
This is a natural unstable resource.
The Britain's population is projected to increase by 22% to 77,000,000 by 2050
Source: US Population Reference Bureau
Population density in Britain's increases reach peak levels.
Each house will need to accommodate 3 to 4 people.
Food, water, shelter resource extraction in the Britain's needs to be increased.
Carbon Dioxide -2051-2141
This is a natural unstable resource.
CO2 levels are estimated at the current rate of increase to reach maximum safe level concentration by 2051.
CO2 levels are currently = 0.040% carbon dioxide = 400 parts per million by volume (ppmv)
CO2 concentrations rose by = 2.0 ppm/yr during 2000–2009
Source: Wikipedia Tans, Pieter. "Trends in Carbon Dioxide". NOAA/ESRL
Temperature -2050
This is a natural unstable characteristic.
Central estimates produced by the Met Office predict average annual temperature to increase by 2°C (4°F) and the warmest summer day to increase by 3°C (6°F) by the 2050s.
Average winter rainfall is also likely to increase and most areas will see a slight decrease in annual rainfall.
In 2012 the minimum temperature in Britain was -22.3 °C (-8.1 °F) by 2050 this will be -20.3 °C
In 2012 the maximum temperature in Britain was 38.5 °C (101.3 °F) by 2050 this will be 41.5 °C
Source: Britain's CP Map The Met Office 2009
Source: Environment Agency projections from 1961-1990 data
The maximum possible increase is 6 deg globally if all of the remaining fossil fuel reserves are used.
Source:UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published in 2007 ''World on course for catastrophic 6° rise, reveal scientists' Independant 18 November 2009
Sea Levels and Temperature-2050-2085
The global sea level rises are currently predicted at between 0.2 and 2.0m
Source: NOAA Technical Report OAR CPO-1Global Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States National Climate Assessment 06/12/2012 Table ES-1. USGS, NOAA, SERDP, US Army Corps of Engineers
These are natural unstable resources.
There are predicted higher sea levels due to reduction in northern polar region ice, changes
to gulf stream temperatures, changes to land temperatures, changes to sea temperature, and extreme weather conditions in the winter in Britain by 2050.
Britain's Increase in sea temperature to 25 deg c and above will increase moisture
rich upward air movement and cause hurricanes and tornadoes.
There will be an increase in annual winter precipitation up to 33% along Britain's West Coast
There will be a decrease in annual summer precipitation in Britain's southern area up to 40%.
There will be variances in sea habitat around Britain and changes to the available food supply.
Source: Britain'sCP Map The Met Office 2009
Source: Environment Agency 1961-1990 data projections
Britain's North sea temperature was recorded in 2009 as 6 °C to 17 °C by 2050 this will be 8 °C to 20 °C and by 2085 11 °C to 23 °C
Britain's Irish sea temperature was recorded in 2009 as 7 °C to 16 °C by 2050 this will be 10 °C to 19 °C and by 2085 13 °C to 22 °C
Source: Britain'sCP Map The Met Office 2009
Habitable areas - 2050
This is a natural unstable resource used for a specific purpose.
The sea level rise and sea temperature rise will cause flooding along coastal areas particularly in the winter.
Britain's water cycle precipitation potential is also likely to increase by 16 to 24 % and cause floods.
The number of the population affected by this climate change is estimated to be 6,000,000 who will have to be relocated by 2050
Source: Britain's CP Map The Met Office 2009
Source: Environment Agency
Brine – under review
This is a natural resource.
The current salt production does use oil and gas energy and so to continue it will need to establish passive or alternative fuels sources.
Water treatment, chemical industry, food processing, animal feeds, textiles and tanning.
Britain produced 6,700,000 tonnes of salt in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Britain’s consumed 9.5g of salt per day each in a survey between 2000 and 2011
Source: Dept. of Health
This would equate with Britain’s current population in 2013 is 63,395,574 to 602257953 g or 603 metric tones per year or 1,329,000 pounds or 159,249 gallons. At one pound of salt to 6 gallons of water to make sea water this needs 8,000,000 gallons of cleaned and filtered sea water.
This may make manufactured salt production extremely wasteful in energy. Passive salt production would be preferable.
Water – 2020-2050
This is a natural resource.
The total renewable water resources are 160.6 cu km
Source: CIA Word Factbook 2013
The total British water withdrawal is 11.75 cu km / annum
Source: USDOE 2000
The population of Britain in 2013 is 63,395,574
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
The total number of years water reserves are 14 years
The end of current water reserves is 2027
The peak year for water reserves is 2020
The total projected population in 2027 is projected to be 68,303,659
This gives a total British water withdrawal of 12.66 cu km / annum
This gives a total number of years reserves at 2027 of 12 years
This gives an end of water reserves at 2025
This gives a peak year for water reserves at 2019
Given current population growth at current rate this equates to 12-14 years water reserve in Britain.
This gives a peak year for water reserve at 2020
The total projected population in 2050 is projected to be 76,708,645
This gives a total British water withdrawal of 14.21 cu km / annum
This gives a total number of years reserves at 2050 of 11 years
This gives an end of water reserves at 2061
This gives a peak year for water reserves at 2018
Given current population growth at current rate this equates to 12-14 years water reserve in Britain.
This gives a peak year for water reserve at 2020
Water available in Britain in days
Total abstracted = 60,000 Ml/day
Total consumed/person = 0.000173 Ml/day
Total population of Britain = 63,395,574
Total daily consumption = 10,967 Ml/day
Reserve of water for = 7 days if no further supply due
Day 1 = 60,000 Ml/day
Day 2 = 49,033 Ml/day
Day 3 = 38,066 Ml/day
Day 4 = 27,099 Ml/day
Day 5 = 16,132 Ml/day
Day 6 = 5,165 Ml/day
Day 7 = out of water
Taking virtual water into account, each of us soaks up 4,645 litres a day.'(0.004645 Ml/day)
Source: environment group WWF - The Guardian 20 aug.2008
Total abstracted = 60,000 Ml/day
Total consumed/person including work areas = 0.004645 Ml/day
Total population of UK = 63,395,574
Total daily consumption = 294,472 Ml/day
Supplies = None.
Water imports = 5 times abstraction
The UK is a net importer of water.
Land - 2050
This is a natural resource with multiple uses.
The population of Britain in 2013 is = 63,395,574
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
The land area that helps this amount of population survive is made up of
Total surface area: = 243,610 sq km
Total land area: = 241,930 sq km
Total water area: = 1,680 sq km
Total irrigated land: = 1,950 sq km (2003)
Total arable land: 23.23% = 56,200 sq km
Total permanent crops: 0.2% = 112.4 sq km
Total urban population: 80% of total population (2010) = 50,716,459
Total rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Total other: 76.57% (2005)
The population of Britain in 2050 is projected to be = 76,366,960
At the same rates of land use Britain will need
2,349 sq km of irrigated land needed to feed this population which is not available.
67,699 sq km of arable land needed to feed this population which is not available.
135 sq km of permanent crops needed to feed this population which is not available.
At the same rate of urbanization per year over 37 years this gives an urban population of 70,495,502 urban population by 2050 or 92% of the population.
If imports are discontinued then the need to use land will increase.
This must be developed before 2050 or the population will enter a state of famine.
Timber - 2013
This is an established natural building material.
House construction in Britain in 2013 uses 7 to 12 tonnes of timber in a 2st 136m2 house.
Source: http://www.norbord.co.Britain's/news/timber-frame%E2%80%99s-environmental-benefits
In Britain at least 50 million tonnes of timber a year are used. More than 75% of this is softwood, and Britain's forests cannot supply the demand; in fact, less than 10% of the timber used in Britain is home-grown. Paper and paper products make up more than half the wood consumed in Britain by volume.
Source: wikipedia.
Home grown timber - 2013
This is an established natural building material.
If 5,000,000 tonnes of timber are grown in Britain a year then this at 12 tonnes per house means that 416,667 - 2st - 136m2 houses could be built each year in a timber frame form.
However the construction industry only uses around 60% of all timber in Britain.
Source: FSC
This means that 60 % of the 5,000,000 tonnes only gives 3,000,000 tonnes used by the construction industry at 12 tonnes per house this means that 250,000 homes can be built a year using timber framing in Britain.
Oxford, Wealden, Gault, London clay - 2024-2037
These are established natural building materials.
The SE England Clay reserves total 6,960,000m³. This would allow for 4,882,668,630 bricks.
Allowing for 2 billion bricks produced every year would give a minimum of 2 years supply of brick. This allows for 11-25 years resource. Putting the peak year at 2024 and the end of resource at 2037.
Source: BGS
Kaolinite – 2044
This is an established natural material with multiple uses.
Britain mining production of Kaolinite in 2011 was 1,000,000 tonnes
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Britain's Kaolinite - SW England China Clay available reserves maximum extraction reached in 2044
This will cause a scarcity in paper, ceramics, toothpaste, whitewash, pest deterrent spray, medicines, cement additive, paints and emulsions.
Source:BGSMineralsYearbook,2005
Source: http://www.devon.gov.Britain's/mcs-chinaclayfactsheet.pdf
Clay and Shale and Fireclay
This is an established natural building material.
Britain produced 3,788,000 tonnes of clay and shale and fireclay for construction in 2010
Source: BGS
Sustainable insulation - under review
Insulation utilizes a great deal of energy to produce. A sustainable source of insulation would be to use a natural product such as sheep wool. This has a secondary medicinal output of lanolin during its processing.
There are 36,000,000 million sheep in Britain. These produce 70,000,000 kg of wool
Source: http://www.thermafleece.com/wonders-wool
This equates to 2kg of wool per sheep. This equates to 50,000,000 kg in 2005
Source: http://www.iwto.org/wool/factsheet/ 2005
For a 2st, pitched roof house of dimensions 7m x 7m x 7m approx 100m3 of wool would be needed as insulation.
There is 1m3 per pack of wool so the house needs 100 packs of insulation.
There is 25.2 kg per pack of wool so the total amount needed is 2520 kg.
There is approx. 2kg of wool available per sheep. Therefore the house needs 1260 sheep to insulate it.
There are 36,000,000 sheep in Britain so 28,571 houses can be insulated.
However there are only 70,000,000 kg of wool available. This allow for 27,777 houses to be insulated to a density of wool insulation of approx 14kg/m3
Crude Oil – 2013 - 2020
This is natural resource that can be distilled into multiple products.
Britain produced 1,099,000 bbl/day in 2011
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
Britain exported 788,900 bbl/day in 2009
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
Britain imported 942,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
Britain crude oil reserves were 310,100 bbl/day
(from 2011-2009est)
Britain’s reserve and imported crude oil reserves were 1,252,200 bbl/day
(from 2011-2009 est)
Britain’s crude oil, proved reserves stood at 2.827 billion bbl in 2013.
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
This, allowing for the 2011 production rate, gives a lifespan of 2572 days or 7 years.
Peaking at 3.5 years. This places the end of Britain’s oil resource at 2018-2020
Britain must import crude oil to survive and increase that import amount each year until it becomes totally dependant upon oil imports. These however will not be available after peak oil production in Kuwait then Saudi Arabia then Iraq are reached since these are the main exporters of oil.
‘after 2015 depletion will be eroding capacity steadily with only limited new capacity coming on stream. The expectation will be that companies will make heroic efforts to bring on new capacity although it is unlikely that this will be sufficient to fully offset depletion. A possible outcome is an undulating production plateau at around 90Mb/d.'
Source: The Oil Crunch A wake-up call for the Britain's economy Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil & Energy Security
Second report of the Britain's Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil & Energy Security (ITPOES). February 2010
Refined Petroleum Products – 2013 -2020
Everyday life is dependant upon plastics, medicines, artificial fibres chemicals and fuels. Britain as a consumer based economy is no exception.
Britain had a refined petroleum products production of 1.584 million bbl/day in 2009
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
Britain had a refined petroleum products consumption of 1.608 million bbl/day in 2011
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
Britain imported refined petroleum products to the value of 493,500 bbl/day in 2009
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
Britain exported refined petroleum products to the value of 535,300 bbl/day in 2009
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
Britain must, for its current society and culture, reduce its consumption of refined petroleum products and also reduce its dependency on refined petroleum product imports to survive.
Gas – 2016-2020
This is a natural fuel source.
Britain produced in 2011 47.43 billion cu m of natural gas.
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
Britain consumed 82.21 billion cu m in 2011 of natural gas.
Britain exported 16.69 billion cu m in 2011 of natural gas.
Britain imported 53.43 billion cu m in 2011 of natural gas.
Britain’s natural gas, proven reserves stood at 253 billion cu m in 2012.
Source: CIA World Factbook 2013
If Britain became totally reliant on its own reserves then allowing for at 2011 production rate, its gas reserves would last 5 years. Peaking at 2.5 years. This places the end of Britain’s natural gas reserve at 2016-2020
Britain currently consumes far more gas than it produces. Its natural gas reserves are limited and will run out in the next decade.
Britain must currently import more natural gas than it produces for its energy economy to survive.
Britain has to completely remove its dependency on natural gas to survive. The use of natural gas imports also has, as has been noted, an effect on electricity production potential in Britain which will have to be revised, with alternative fuels if it is to be maintained.
Source: Resource Magazine. Britain has ‘Two days Worth of Gas’ in reserve. 22 March 2013 by Nick Livermore
Data supplied by Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)
Shale Gas – 2013 - 2014
This is a natural fuel source.
Britain’s shale gas reserves are estimated at 36812 billion cu m
Britain’s shale gas consumption at current gas consumption levels is 82.21 billion cu m
This would give a shale gas reserve depletion year of 448 years up to 2461
This would give a shale gas peak reserve year at 224 years up to 2237
Source: BGS and BBC News 2013
The shale gas reserves require a ‘fraking’ process to allow the gas to flow out of the rock strata in which it is potentially held.
This process may release greenhouse gases, need large quantities of fresh water and cause localised earth movement.
Previous estimates for recovering shale gas were 10-15% of the assessed drilling license area and volume.
This would then revise the figures to
Britain’s recoverable shale gas reserves are estimated at 5.5218 billion cu m
Britain’s shale gas consumption at current gas consumption levels is 82.21 billion cu m / year
This would give a shale gas reserve depletion year of less than 1 year up to 2014
This would give a shale gas peak reserve year at 1 year up to 2014
If the shale gas reserves listed in the report ‘The unconventional hydrocarbon resources of Britain’s onshore basins – Shale Gas Promote UK 2013. BGS’ are used Britain’s reserve of shale gas could be as high as 150 bcm at a recoverable level of 15% this would allow for 23 bcm.
This would then revise the figures to
Britain’s recoverable shale gas reserves are estimated at 23 billion cu m
Britain’s shale gas consumption at current gas consumption levels is 82.21 billion cu m / year
This would give a shale gas reserve depletion year of less than 1 year up to 2014
This would give a shale gas peak reserve year at 1 year up to 2014
The current cost estimate of shale gas was $200 per barrel of oil against North Sea Oil of $120 per barrel of oil.
Source: Gloyston, Henning and Johnstone, Christopher (17 April 2012) Exclusive - UK has vast shale gas reserves, geologists say Reuters Edition UK, Accessed 17 April 2012
Coal – 2020 - 2106
This is a natural fuel source.
Britain total coal production in 2012 was 16.8 million tonnes
Britain total coal consumption in 2012 was 64 million tonnes
Britain’s total coal imports in 2012 were 44.8 million tonnes
Britain total coal reserves in 2011 stood at 3196 million tonnes
Source: http://www.Britain'scoal.com/why-coal/need-for-coal/world-coal-statistics
Britain’s total coal reserves, divided by production, gives a total lifespan of coal reserve of 190 years up till the year 2201.
Britain’s coal peak point by production will be about 95 years in 2106.
Britain’s total lifespan of coal reserve divided by consumption will be about 49 years up till the year 2060.
Britain’s coal peak point by consumption will be 25 years about the year 2037.
Source: http://www.Britain'scoal.com/why-coal/need-for-coal/world-coal-statistics
Conclusion. Britain is consuming more coal than it produces.
Britain has large coal reserves but is still importing coal as a fuel.
In order to use this resource before fuels for vehicles and mining machinery deplete after 2020 Britain has to move its energy economy into mining its resources.
Politically this will also cause Britain to come into conflict with the Kyoto protocols. Britain may have no choice if its wishes to survive.
Nuclear – 2013 -2035
This is a natural fuel source.
Britain’s Advanced Gas cooled nuclear reactors are decommissioned between 2014 - 2023
Source: London: Daily Telegraph, retrieved 30 August 2008
Britain's remaining nuclear power stations will be decommissioned by 2035. This will cause an 11 GW reduction in generating capacity.
Source: BERR
Electricity – 2013-2035
This is an established need, want and desire of society.
15% of Britain’s present coal and oil total power generating station capacity, 12 GW out of 80 GW will have to close by the end of 2015
Source: BERR
Britain's remaining power generation in 2035 is estimated at 52.75 GW based on 2007-2008 capacity.
Source: National Grid / BERR
All previous power systems coal ,gas, oil, nuclear, hydro will be decommissioned and bio-fuel systems, solar, wind, wave will be needed by 2050 but there will not be any manufacturing capability to produce them.
Sand and Rock Minerals – 2010-2016
These are established building materials.
England and Wales Total permitted reserves of sand rock minerals in 2005 was 634,660 tonnes. This gives an 11 years reserve output.
Source: Aggregate minerals survey for England and Wales BGS. 2005
Source: Mineral Planning Factsheet BGS 2007
This gives an end of sand and rock mineral reserve year of 2016
This gives a peak year of sand and rock mineral reserves of 2010
Gold – 2011
This is a natural precious metal.
Britain mined 202 kilograms of gold in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Silver -2011
This is a natural precious metal.
Britain mined and produced 531kg of silver in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Talc - 2011
This is a natural and manufactured multiple use product.
Britain produced 3709 tonnes of talc in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Dolomite -2021
This is a natural multiple use material.
Britain's Dolomite permitted reserve depletion point achieved in 2021
Dolomite is used in iron and steel making slag flux as an alternative to limestone
It is used in filter applications in petroleum based products.
It is used in agricultural filters.
It is used in the construction industry.
The total production = 12,200,000 tonnes in 2004
The permitted reserves allowed for 10 - 15 years in 2006
Source: Dolomite. Mineral Planning Factsheet BGS
Britain's is currently a net importer of Dolomite since 2005
Source: HM revenue and Customs.
Lead – 2011-2020
This is an established natural building material.
This is an established building material
Britain’s mine production of lead was 280 tonnes in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Britain’s production of refined lead was 274,055 tonnes in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Iron – 2011-2020
This is an established natural building material.
Britain has ceased mining production of iron ore in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Britain produced 6,6265,000 tonnes of pig iron in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Nickel-2011
This is an established natural building material.
Britain smelter, refinery production of nickel was 36,300 tonnes in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Crude Steel-2011-2020
This is an established manufactured building material
Britain produced 9,478,000 tonnes of crude steel in 2011.
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Aluminium - 2010
This is an established natural building material.
Britain produced a total of primary aluminium in 2011 of 213,000 tonnes
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Britain consumed 270,000 tonnes of aluminium in 2010
Source: UK Mineral resources yearbook 2011
Indium -2011
This is an established manufactured material.
Britain refined 5 tonnes of indium in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Aggregates – 2020
These are established natural building materials.
Britain mined 155,903,000 tonnes of Aggregates in 2010
Source: BGS
Limestone, chalk, clay and shale -2010
This is an established natural building material.
Britain produced 10,056 tonnes of clay and shale for the construction industry in 2010
Source: BGS
Clay and Shale -2010
This is an established natural building material.
Britain produced 769,000 tonnes of clay and shale for the construction industry in 2010
Source: BGS
Cement - 2010
This is an established manufactured building material.
Britain consumed finished cement of 7,767,000 tonnes in 2010
Source: UK Mineral resources yearbook 2011
Gypsum - 2037
This is an established natural building material.
Britain's Gypsum total permitted reserve depletion point achieved in 2037
Total permitted reserves in England = 50,000,000 tonnes
Output of permitted mining areas = 1,700,000 tonnes / year in 2011
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Britain produced 1,700,000 tonnes of Gypsum in 2010
Source: BGS
Total permitted reserve to depletion in years = 30 years in 2007 figures
Source: Gypsum Mineral Planning factsheet BGS 2006
Rocksalt- 2042
This is an established natural building material.
Britain's Rocksalt permitted salt reserve depletion point achieved in 2042
Source: Salt Mineral Planning Factsheet BGS 2006
Limstone and Chalk - 2042
This is an established natural building material.
Britain's Limestone and Chalk permitted reserves depletion point achieved in 2042
Limestone Production from permitted reserves = 76,014,000 tonnes / year (2004)
Chalk Production from permitted reserves = 7,997,000 tonnes / year (2004)
Construction, Industrial, Agricultural, Cement. Manufacturing and uses.
Source: Limestone Mineral Planning Factsheet BGS
Source:Cement Mineral Planning Factsheet 2008
Source: British Cement Association and Industry
Crushed Rock Minerals – 2026-2047
England and Wales Total permitted reserves of crushed rock minerals = 4,247,340 tonnes
This gives 42 years reserve output at 2005 figures
This gives a crushed rock mineral depletion year of 2047
This gives a crushed rock mineral peak year of 2026
Source: Aggregate minerals survey for England and Wales BGS. 2005
Source: Mineral Planning Factsheet BGS 2007
Dimensioned building stone-2020
This is an established natural building material.
Britain produced 2,100,000 tonnes of dimensioned building stone in 2010
Source: BGS
Slate -2020
This is an established natural building material.
In Britain the total tonnage produced was 695,000 tonnes in 2010
Source: BGS
The resources are undermined but the mines could be reopened if required.
Potash – 2020
This is an established natural and processed material.
Britain produced 462,000 tonnes of potash in 2011.
Source: World Mineral production 2007-2011
Britain consumed 362,000 tonnes of potash in 2004.
Source: BGS mineral planning factsheet
Reserve details are mot in the public domain.
Source: BGS mineral planning factsheet
Silica – 2011-2015
This is an established natural building material.
Britain produced 3 to 4 million tonnes of silica sand.
It is used in glass making, foundry sand, horticulture, leisure, abrasives, shot blasting, filter drainage, brick making, ceramics, mineral filler, refractories, rock wool, and reagents.
Britain consumes 5 million tonnes of silica sand.
Source: BGS 2007 - 2010
The total permitted reserves of silica sand in 2007 was 31,349,000 tonnes
Source: BGS SAMSA
This gives a resource depletion year of 6 to 8 years from 2007 up to 2015
This gives a resource peak year of 3 to 4 years from 2007 to 2011
Construction sand – under review - 2020
This is an established natural building material.
Britain produced 42,000,000 tonnes of construction sand in 2007
Flourspar – 2012 - 2017
This is an established natural and processed material.
This is the only British source of the chemical fluorine for use as a blowing agent in insulation production, in the production of cooling, freezing and heat transfer systems, in the production of polymers, in the production of fire proofing polymers, in waterproofing textiles, in the production of semi-conductors and electrical components, the refining of crude oil, antibiotics, anaesthetics, asthma inhalers, insecticides, herbicides, cleaning and detergents.
Source: BGS
Britain produced 36,801 tonnes of fluorspar in 2008.
Source: BGS
Britain consumed 482,222 tonnes of fluorspar in 2007
Source: HMRC
Britain’s reserves of Flourspar were 4,635,000 tonnes in 2009
Source: HMRC
This gives a fluorspar reserve depletion period of 10 years from 2007 up to the year of 2017
This gives a fluorspar peak depletion point of 5 years from 2007 up to 2012.
Barytes – 2037 - 2069
This is an established natural material.
This is used as a weighting agent in oil and gas drilling fluids and mud, as a filler, as a source of barium in chemical industries, pigments, radiation screening, glass manufacture.
The main source of Barytes is in Scotland which may have issues if Scottish Independence is achieved in 2014.
Britain produced approx. 31,000 tonnes of Barytes in 2011
Source: BGS
Britain consumed 200,000 tonnes per year.
Source: BGS
Britain’s resources of Baryte were 13,000,000 tonnes
Source: BGS
This gives a resource depletion period for Barytes of 65 years from 2004 up to 2069
This gives a peak resource depletion year for Barytes of 33years from 2004 up to 2037
Peat
This is a natural fuel source.
Britain produced 1,004,000 tonnes of peat in 2010
Source: BGS
These are the natural resources of Britain. The depletion rates indicate a resource critical period from 2010 to 2085 for complete depletion of natural resources.
The current dependency on imported oil also places the year 2020 as critical since by then the major oil exporters will have reached peak production output. This then produces a high cost for oil exports. A decline in oil imports entering Britain. A drop in Britain’s manufacturing. A drop in the population’s survival level.
This could be offset by the coal resources in Britain but these will need to be re-established.
The environmental changes in temperature, sea levels, flooding, CO2 levels will alter the climate in Britain. The winters will be more severe and with more precipitation. The summers drier.
Land will need to be re-allocated to crop production and water collection, storage and treatment to provide the primary needs of water and food for the growing population of Britain over the same time period.
Ian K Whittaker.
Website:
https://sites.google.com/site/architecturearticles
Email contact: iankwhittaker@gmail.com
01/09/2013
24/10/2013
14/10/2020
4775 words over 11 pages