3.2 Impacts of Changing Trends in Resource Consumption

In this section you will understand:

The water–food–energy “nexus” and how its complex interactions affect:

  • national water security, including access to safe water
  • national food security, including food availability
  • national energy security, including energy pathways and geopolitical issues

The implications of global climate change for the water–food–energy nexus

  • Detailed examples of two countries with contrasting levels of resource security

UN Water: Water, Food Energy

"The water-food-energy nexus is central to sustainable development. Demand for all three is increasing, driven by a rising global population, rapid urbanization, changing diets and economic growth. Agriculture is the largest consumer of the world’s freshwater resources, and more than one-quarter of the energy used globally is expended on food production and supply.

The inextricable linkages between these critical domains require a suitably integrated approach to ensuring water and food security, and sustainable agriculture and energy production worldwide."

Food security: availability and access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences of an active and healthy life

Water security: access to safe drinking water and sanitation

Energy Security: access to clean, reliable and affordable energy sources for cooking, heating, lighting, communication and productive use

Food Energy Nexus - Hexagon activity

Summative assessment:

1. Draw two labeled diagrams describing the Food Energy Water Nexus of two countries with contrasting levels of resource security [5+5]

Include:

  • proper diagram conventions
  • consumption and production statistics and trends
  • interrelationship between each component of the nexus
  • Country specific examples (eg types of energy, crops grown, water purification system etc)


2. Using the same two countries from #1, hand-write a 5 or 6 paragraph essay answering the following IB style question:

Compare and contrast the consequences of global climate change on water, food and energy resource security between two named countries.

Your essay must include:

  • A thesis statement
  • In-text citations
  • You may refer to the diagrams you drew in #1 in your essay

Possible sources:

You will be graded using the Paper 1 and 2 markbands. [10 marks, but will count for 20/30 for full assessment]

Due date: Nov 20th

The disposal and recycling of consumer items, including international flows of waste

3.2.Waste disposal

Exercise:

Answer one question in N&C p. 503, # 1-10 and share with the class

Discuss:

  • What should we do with waste?
  • How will waste management affect resource conservation?
  • What solutions do you know of that could reduce waste and conserve resources?