Buying locally produced food

How will buying local help the UK?

• The overall number of food miles for the UK will be reduced, meaning fewer transportation costs and less pollution
• The domestic farming industry will benefit as farmers are selling more crops 

How will buying local be bad for places like Kenya? 

• Farmers will be forced out of business if they are not selling enough crops abroad. This will lead to poverty and farmers will be unable to buy sufficient food. 
• Kenya's economy will suffer because its main trade connection is exporting goods like strawberries. 

Ways we can support local produce:

• Looking at labels in supermarkets, which increasingly give the specific origin of food
• Visiting specialist local shops
• Buying online from 'local' producers
• Supporting local farmers markets
• Attending regional agricultural shows, which celebrate and sell local produce. 

Increasing demand for food

Impacts 

Food miles: The distance that food items travel from where they are grown to where they are eaten.

Carbon Footprint: The amount of carbon generated by things people do, including treating a demand for out of season food. 

Environmental

• People in the UK demand out of season produce and this demand is met by importing food. Transporting food longer distances increases our carbon footprint. We import 1% of our food by air but this accounts for 11% of carbon emissions resulting from transportation of UK food. Importing food contributes to air pollution and global warming because it is flown thousands of miles. 95% of fruit comes from abroad out of season. 
• Often home grown produce is grown using intensification - This involves using machines. growing plants very close together, fertiliser being sprayed on crops and crops growing under plastic. This allows crops to be grown out of season to meet the demand. This method pollutes the environment and uses more energy/ emits more carbon than flying a pack of Kenyan green beans to the UK, which have been produced efficiently using natural fertilisers. 

Environmental degradation caused by farming on poor soils:

• Pressure to produce more food leads to farming on marginal land that is unsuitable 
• Poor quality land becomes poorer
• Poor quality crops are harvested
• No nutrition is returned to the soil
• Soil becomes exhausted 
• Lack of vegetation cover
• Soil erosion - soil is easily washed or blown away 

Political

The river Indus

The river Indus flows through northern India and Pakistan. The flow of the Indus is seasonal. A huge amount of water results in flooding in summer, whereas flows are much less in winter due to seasonal variation in rainfall.

The water is essential for food production. The Indus feeds the fertile Punjab in both countries

In 1960, the Indus water treaty was signed between India and Pakistan. This was implemented because Pakistan was concerned that India could cut off water to Pakistan by building dams and perhaps even diverting rivers in India. The agreement was that Pakistan gained control of the westward flowing rivers, and India the eastward flowing rivers. 

Pakistan constructed dams on the Indus and Jhelum rivers to ensure water supplies. However, as a result there is now resentment in that part of Kashmir in India as people believe that farming and irrigation has been limited due to them being deprived of water that should be theirs. 

Additionally, in June 2006, talks about the Wuller Barrage that India wants to build on the Jhelum River for navigation raised fears about india controlling Pakistan waters.

Social

Cash Crop: Crops grown in order to sell to make a financial profit. 

Lake Naivasha and north of Mount Kenya

Many flowers are grown in Kenya for European supply. This brings many economic positives but has many social negatives. 

• River Ngiro in the north has sections without water.
• Local farmers say the flower growers are taking more water than they should legally and leaving them short
• Fertile land is used for growing flowers are not for food, leading to food shortages
• The Maasai are especially struggling for water to the east and North of Mount Kenya
• Water levels are falling, 20,000 people could be supplied with water that is used by the flowers
• Fertilisers and pesticides contain chemicals which are frequently sprayed on the flowers. This causes rashes and chest problems among workers.
• Some of the fertiliser is washed into soils and seeps underground. Water supplies are then affected by the fertiliser. 
• Population around lake Naivasha increased from 50,000 to 250,000 as people sought work in the greenhouses or in the fields. 

Economic

Rural debt: Money borrowed and now owed by farmers to banks or other organisations.

As farmers produce more crops and make more money there is often the need to intensify production using chemicals. This causes problems as shown by the effects of the borrowing money cycle. 

• Loan to pay for additional essentials. Increased debt due to need to buy seeds and chemicals
• Fertilisers and pesticides bought
• Fertilisers and pesticides applied
• Higher yields
• Cash Crop sold - poorer farmers can't compete
• Pay back
• Poor farmers lose their land because they cannot afford to pay money back. They are unable to buy sufficient food. Farmers are often forced out of business

Ways of reducing the costs of globalisation

Local Initiatives

The phrase 'Think Globally, act locally' indicates the need for individuals and groups to seek to reduce pollution and take responsibility for this. Reducing the use of resources not only increases their life, it also reduces pollution and energy in pollution. Reducing energy in production helps to reduce costs of globalisation by reducing the amount that is produced by companies. 

We can seek to seize the initiative by conservation and recycling, and therefore reducing waste and the need to landfill. This also reduces costs. 

Conservation

Conservation can involve simple things like turning off lights and appliances when they are not being used, filling a kettle with only the water that is needed rather than to the top and buying reusable carrier bags. 

Recycling

Local authorities provide a variety of recycling containers for paper, cans, glass, plastic, cardboard and garden waste, and many encourage composting in an attempt to reduce waste thrown in bins. This in turn reduces the amount of waste that is put into landfill. By 2015, the government wants only 35% of waste to go to landfill sites. 

Carbon Credits

• Countries that come under the emissions target (by 2012) will be rewarded by receiving carbon credits which they can sell to countries that aren't meeting their emission target. Carbon credits represent the amount of greenhouse gases they are allowed to emit. 
• Countries that help poorer countries reduce their emissions can earn carbon credits. This is good because it means that poorer countries reduce their emissions quickly. 
• Additionally, carbon credits are an incentive for poorer countries to reduce their emissions because they can trade carbon credits for money to develop their economy. 

The importance of international directives on pollution control and carbon reducing initiatives

Why is co-operation needed between countries around the world?

Air pollution does not stop at international borders and therefore cooperation is needed between countries worldwide if air quality and global warming issues are to be effectively addressed. 
E.g: The earth summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 marked the first real international attempt to cooperate to reduce emissions. Richer countries agreed there would be no increase in emissions. 

Timeline of international directives

Earth Summit - Rio 1992

First real international attempt to cooperate to reduce emissions. Richer countries agreed there would be no increase in emissions. 

Kyoto protocol 1997

Agreement for the industrialised countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012
The treaty became legally binding in 2005 - enough countries responsible for 55% of the total emissions signed. By August 2011 there were 191 signatures. 

Bali Conference 2007

New targets established to replace those agreed at Kyoto. No figure was decided but there was a recognition that there would need to be 'deep cuts in global emissions' 

Durban Conference 2011

A legally binding deal was agreed. This comprised of all countries, including USA, China and India. It will be prepared by 2015 and take effect in 2020. 

Achieving sustainable development through renewable energy

Why are renewable energy supplies a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels? 

Renewable energy supplies are a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels because they will not run out. However, fossil fuels are only short term and supplies of coal, oil and natural gas are limited. Hydroelectric power, solar, tidal and wind power are sustainable options that can be used for generations. 

Wind Farms - Positive and Negatives

Current aims: To generate 10% if power by renewable energy sources 

Aims for the future: Offshore wind farms to become more important, with 8GW to be generated by 2016. 

Location requirements: The shallow waters off the coast of the UK are an advantage. Wind farms require an exposed location, whether on shore or offshore, clear of any obstructions (e.g buildings). Small differences in distance can mean a real difference in the potential of the site. For example, a site that is 10% less windy means 20% less energy. 

General opinions for:

• The energy produced does not cause greenhouse gases or other pollutants 
• Wind turbines are tall, but only take up a small plot of land
• Sea turbines can attract fish and have no long term affects on sea life
• Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity in remote areas that are not connected to the national grid. 

General opinions against:

• Noise levels are measured at 35-45 dB for a distance of 350m
• Research suggests turbines are avoided by migrating birds
• House prices nearby may reduce
• The cost of generating electricity is more expensive than traditional methods. It is more than double per Kw per hour. 
• Turbines are an eyesore.  

CASE STUDY: Barvas Moor, Isle of Lewis

• Amec and British energy are proposing to build 250 turbines
• They will output 600 mW

Opinions For:

• It is a clean, safe, renewable source of energy that will produce the equivalent of half the current output of Torness nuclear power station in East Lothian. 
• Wind farms create jobs and it would reap economic benefits for the remote community of Lewis

Opinions against:

• It will be noisy and ugly, ruining the mountain scenery on the isle of Lewis
• Barvas Moor has a unique wildlife habitat that would be destroyed. Birds would be disturbed.
• In order to be efficient the power generated would have to be sent to big electricity markets in England. This means laying power cables along the sea bed of the west coast which would be extremely expensive. 

Social, economic and environmental impacts of increasing demand for energy

Benefits:

Social

People may choose to travel to work using a different method of transport in an attempt to be environmentally friendly and fitter. 

Where people go on holiday could be affected if air fares increasing substantially because of rising fuel costs. More people could choose to holiday at home which may benefit the home economy. 

Problems:

Social

Increased energy use has an impact on people's health. For example, in Industrial areas where coals is the basic source of energy, there has been an increase in lung related diseases like emphysema and bronchitis. The incidence of these diseases will increase in areas that are experiencing industrialisation today. For example, the UK. 

The droughts and floods caused by climate change can lead to famine, disease and homelessness, which can take years to recover. 

Poor air quality from coal and smoke can lead to asthma and other respiratory diseases. 

Environemental

Spoil heaps have built u adjacent to coal mines and when unneeded material has been dumped.

The transportation of oil has led to major pollution incidents such as the Exon Valdez oil spill off Alaska in 1989.

Some cities are shrouded by a haze that blocks out the sun and contains a dangerous mix of chemicals, including those from coal and smoke and ozone. E.g smog in Beijing. 

Greater use of fossil fuels is increasing CO2 emissions and driving climate change. This is leading to changing weather patterns (e.g more floods, drought, hurricanes) as well as environmental changes. 

Political

Some countries rely heavily on others for their energy supplies which can create problems if they fall out. For example, much of Europe depends on a gas pipeline from Russia than runs through Ukraine. But in both 2006 and 2008, the pipeline was turned off after disagreements between Russia and Ukraine. 

In some countries like the USA, political parties are funded by oil and gas companies, which means that these countries can influence government polices. 

The causes of the increasing global demand for energy

World Population growth

The world's population has increased rapidly over the last 100 years from 1.65 billion in 1900 to 5.98 billion in 1999 and is predicted to be as high as 8.91 billion in 2050. 

People now have access to washing machines, fridges, tumble dryers, dish washers, microwaves, television, computers and mobile phones, but this has not always been the case. As more and more people are using and buying these items, more energy is required to operate them and in their manufacture. Therefore as population increases our demand for energy increases. 

The rapid rise in the populations of Asian countries combined with their economic growth also accounts for the increase in energy use. For example, China uses a lot of energy to manufacture cheap products such as mobile phones. 

Increased Wealth

As people become wealthier they demand more products and consumer items, such as electrical devices. These goods use energy not only to operate them, but also in their manufacture.

E.g: The average wage in China has risen to 1750 yuan a month, four times higher than in 1995. This allows people to buy luxuries to make their lives more comfortable, and people desire to own goods such as computers, televisions or cars. As a result, private car ownership in China has increased from virtually zero in 1997 to 26 million in 2009. Cars not only use energy to operate, but require a lot of energy in their manufacture, so increasing personal wealth increases our demand for energy. 

Technological Advances

Technological advances have supplied is with increasing amounts of energy and a wide variety of good we can purchase. For example, the development of steam using coal led to large scale production in the UK. The use of coal in power stations has fuelled the Chinese economy. 

Modern technology allows the development of other sources of energy. E.g Nuclear power
Resources in the sea and in very inhospitable regions can now be exploited, E.g the Antarctic. 

Research and development has become a big business. Companies strive to produce smaller cameras, faster laptops and the most innovative games. These goods require energy to develop, make, and operate. Increasing numbers of people are buying these products, and companies are producing new products as a result. Increasing technological advances means our demand for energy has increased.