World population reached 7 billion in 2011. The United Nations forecasts that
this will increase to 8.5 billion by 2030.
Discuss the factors which show how an increasing world population affects
demand for the Earth’s resources.
Your answer should include specific reference to the following issues:
• rising demand for food;
• rising demand for water;
• rising demand for energy
Rising demand for food;
• Rising consumption of food per head in industrialised countries/
emerging economies with rising incomes and growing lifestyle expectations and
consumption
• Crop and cropland losses to energy crops
• Land degradation/Desertification, resulting in less available land for
agriculture
Rising demand for water;
• Production of crops and livestock is water-intensive, (accounts for 70% of
all water used for agriculture, municipal and industrial uses)
• Increased need for irrigation in already arid areas to boost food
production;
• Increased industrialisation/urbanisation means greater demand for water
for drinking, sanitation and drainage
Rising demand for energy;
• Emerging economies, industrialisation and urbanisation are causing
greater demands for energy;
• 20% of the world’s population lacks access to reliable electricity supplies;
• Universal access to energy without causing major environmental impacts
may be possible with increased use of renewable technologies
One method of assessing environmental impact is by measuring the ecological
footprint. Another way of measuring environmental impact is by using the IPAT
equation.
Discuss these methods for assessing environmental impact. Your discussion
should include the following:
• The environmental impact of an increasing global population
• With population increase, the demand for fuel increases and pollution
caused by fossil fuel combustion increases.
• The demand for water for drinking, agriculture and industry increases.
Increasing amounts of untreated industrial waste and sewage caused by
growing populations and increased economic activity reduce the clean water
supply.
• Growing demand for food leads to overfishing and loss of arable land to
housing.
• In the developing world demand for shelter leads to overcrowding and
poor sanitation in the poorer regions, increasing the spread of disease.
• More economically developed countries have a higher ecological
footprint per person than less economically developed countries because they
consume more goods and services, have energy-intensive lifestyles and create
more waste.
A common way of comparing environmental impacts is using the Ehrlich
Equation I=PAT (where I = impact; P = population; A = affluence; T = damage
caused by technology). For each of the following terms from this equation,
outline two environmental impacts of the growing need for resources:
Population {2}
Affluence {2}
Damage caused by Technology {2}
Population – any two points from:
* More population means greater demand for natural resources {1}
* More demand for clothing, shelter, goods and energy to produce these
{1}
* Fewer resources available for other species (wildlife, habitat etc.) {1}
Affluence – any two points from:
* Greater affluence = greater consumption and more waste generated {1}
* It is unsustainable to continue living a high consumption western lifestyle
{1}
* Developing countries wish to have a similar affluent lifestyle to developed
countries {1}
Damage caused by Technology – any two points from:
* Industrially-driven societies are energy intensive by nature {1}
* Less advanced technology used in developing countries is likely to cause
more environmental impact {1}
* Renewable resources still require non-renewable resources during
manufacture and are expensive to harness {1}
The IPAT equation is a model for assessing environmental impact.
(i): Explain what is meant by A in the IPAT equation. {2}
(ii): Explain what is meant by P in the IPAT equation. {2}
(i): A is affluence – this is the only acceptable answer. [1]
This is the level of consumption (the amount of goods and services used) by a
given population. [1]
(ii): P is population – this is the only acceptable answer. [1]
Refers to is the number of people that are globally consuming resources and
creating waste. [1]
Discuss two ways in which T, Technology, increases the environmental impact
• Industrially developed societies are energy intensive by nature.
Increased use of technology leads to greater pollution and therefore greater
impact on the environment.
• Older technologies are more polluting/less efficient so have a greater
economic impact. Developing countries are more likely to use older
technologies thereby increasing the environmental impact.
• Even if a population uses renewable technologies to produce goods and
services, non-renewable resources are still required during manufacture which
are expensive and/or energy intensive thereby causing an increase in
environmental impact.
Discuss two ways in which T, Technology, can be used to decrease the
environmental impact.
• Technology should be developed that is resource efficient i.e. requires
less water, energy and raw materials and reduce waste discharges.
• Technology design should be sustainable. Raw material inputs and
processes can be used which do not damage the environment, e.g. solvent-free
inks and paints are used.
• Consideration also needs to be given to what happens to the
manufacturing equipment itself when it is no longer required, e.g. minimise
waste and recycle end-of-life materials and equipment.
One method of assessing environmental impact is by measuring the ecological
footprint. Another way of measuring environmental impact is by using the IPAT
equation.
Discuss these methods for assessing environmental impact. Your discussion
should include the following:
• The IPAT equation
The IPAT equation.
• I is the total environmental impact in terms of resource depletion or waste
accumulation.
• It is measured in global hectares (gha).
• Population (P) is the number of people that are globally consuming
resources and creating waste.
• Affluence (A) is the level of consumption by a given population (e.g. in a
country). In other words, the amount of goods and services we each use.
• Technology (T) refers to the processes used to obtain resources and
transform them into useful goods and associated waste.
Discuss the role of technology in meeting global requirements in the
context of the relationship I = PAT.
Your discussion must include three different points.
- The environmental impact, I, is affected by population, P, affluence, A
and damage caused by technology, T. [1] If T can be reduced then the
environmental impact of a growing, more affluent population can be reduced. [1] - Technology can be developed to be more resource efficient. [1]
Manufacturing processes can be developed so that they require less water,
energy and raw materials. [1] - Even with very efficient technology, industrial processes will always use
energy and generate waste. [1] Efficient technology alone cannot reduce
environmental impact when affluence and population are increasing. [1]
Define and explain the concept and measurement of an ecological footprint.
An ecological footprint is based on consumption over a specific year {1}.
Expressed as the amount of land and sea (bio-productive area) required to
support the use of natural resources {1}.
A means of comparing usage of natural resources and lifestyles, and checking
this against natures ability to provide for this {1}
The global ecological footprint for each person can be calculated as 1.84
hectares.
Explain this calculation in relation to those living in the developed world.
People living in highly developed western countries have a much larger footprint
and are effectively taking up more than their fair share of the earth’s resources.
{1}
To make the ecological footprint more ‘equal’ actions need to be taken within
the developed world to reduce individual impact and support given to the
developing world to develop in a more sustainable fashion. {1}
These actions could include;
• Reduction in individual transport, or
• Less flying on aircraft, or
• Producing less waste, or
• Increasing home efficiency, {1}
It is generally agreed that someone living in a developed country will have a
larger ecological footprint than someone living in a developing country. Explain
why this might be the case.
An ecological footprint is based on consumption over a specific year {1}.
It is expressed as the amount of land and sea (bio-productive area) required to
support the use of natural resources {1}.
It is a means of comparing the usage of natural resources and lifestyles and
checking these against nature’s ability to provide for this. {1}
This is likely to be greater for someone living in a developed country compared
to someone living in a developing country because of their greater use of
resources and production of waste. {1}
Explain the linkage between a carbon footprint and an ecological footprint
A carbon footprint considers net greenhouse gases emitted {1} and is an
increasingly important part of the ecological footprint which considers a much
wider range of environmental impacts on resources used.
One method of assessing environmental impact is by measuring the ecological
footprint. Another way of measuring environmental impact is by using the IPAT
equation.
Discuss these methods for assessing environmental impact. Your discussion
should include the following:
• The concept and measurement of an ecological footprint
• An ecological footprint is based on consumption over a specific year. It is
expressed as the amount of land and sea required to support the use of natural
resources.
• It is a means of comparing usage of natural resources and lifestyles, and
checking this against nature’s ability to provide for this (biocapacity).
• Ecological footprint is measured in global hectares (gha).
• The Ecological Footprint can be calculated for a single individual, city,
region, country and the entire planet.
• If the ecological footprint and biocapacity are the same, i.e. the
ecological footprint = 1, then the country is living sustainably. At present the
world’s population is not living sustainably.
With reference to the figure name and describe three approaches required by
today’s society if One Planet Living is to be achieved.
• Zero Carbon {1}. Making buildings more energy efficient and delivering
all energy with renewable technologies {1}.
• Zero waste {1}. Reducing waste, reusing where possible, and ultimately
sending zero waste to landfill {1}.
• Sustainable transport {1}. Encouraging low carbon modes of transport to
reduce emissions, reducing the need to travel {1}.
• Sustainable materials {1}. Using sustainable healthy products, with low
embodied energy, sourced locally, made from renewable or waste
resources {1}.
You are employed as a sustainability advisor by an organisation and have
been asked to provide advice on One Planet Living. Name and outline
three of the principles of One Planet Living which your organisation could
adopt.
• Zero Carbon {1}. Making buildings more energy efficient and delivering
all energy with renewable technologies {1}.
• Zero waste {1}. Reducing waste, reusing where possible, and sending
zero waste to landfill {1}.
• Sustainable transport {1}. Reducing the need for travel, and encouraging
low and zero carbon modes of transport to reduce emissions {1}.
• Sustainable materials {1}. Using sustainable and healthy products, such
as those with low embodied energy, sourced locally, made from
renewable or waste resources {1}.
Outline two of the principles of One Planet Living.
Any two from:
* Zero carbon {1}; making buildings more energy efficient and delivering all
required energy with renewable technologies {1}.
* Zero waste {1}; Reducing waste, reusing resources where possible and
sending zero waste to landfill {1}.
* Sustainable transport {1}; Reducing the need for travel, and encouraging
low and zero carbon means of transport to reduce emissions {1}.
* Sustainable materials {1}; Using sustainable and healthy products, such
as those with low embodied energy, sourced locally, made from renewable or
waste resources {1}.
* Local and sustainable food {1}; Supporting sustainable and humane
farming, promoting access to healthy, low impact, local, seasonal and organic
diets and reducing food waste {1}.
* Sustainable water {1}; Using water efficiently in buildings, farming and
manufacturing. Designing to avoid local issues such as flooding, drought and
water course pollution {1}.
* Land use and wildlife {1}; Protecting and restoring biodiversity and
creating new natural habitats through land use and integration into the built
environment {1}.
* Culture and community {1}; Respecting and reviving local identity,
wisdom and culture; encouraging the involvement of people in shaping their
community and creating a new culture of sustainability {1}.
* Equity and local environment {1}; Creating bioregional economies that
support equity and diverse local employment and international fair trade {1}.
* Health and happiness {1}; Encouraging active, sociable, meaningful
lives to promote good health and well being {1}.
Sustainable materials and zero waste are two of the principles of the One
Planet Living framework. Explain how these can help to create a sustainable
planet.
Sustainable materials: {2}
Zero waste:
Sustainable materials:
Using sustainable materials, such as those with low embodied energy, sourced
locally, and made from renewable or waste resources [2]
Zero waste:
Reducing waste, reusing/recycling where possible and ultimately sending zero
waste to landfill [2]
Discuss the concept of One Planet Living (OPL), making specific reference to
water.
One Planet Living is a vision of a world in which people enjoy happy, healthy
lives within their fair share of the earth’s resources, leaving space for wildlife
and wilderness. This can be achieved through sustainable water use which
involves using water more efficiently in buildings and in the products we buy;
tackling local flooding and water course pollution.
The One Planet Living framework consists of ten principles that assist with
planning and delivering sustainability, including the principles of Zero Carbon
and Sustainable Transport.
Discuss how the principles of Zero Carbon and Sustainable Transport could be
applied to an urban community. Ensure you include a discussion of two specific
examples of how each of the principles could be applied to an urban community
to deliver sustainability.
The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer.
Zero carbon: {4}
Sustainable transport: {4}
Zero carbon
Any two from:
• Use of high U value building materials in new constructions.
• Retrofitting existing homes with insulation and triple glazing.
• Using wind, solar and biomass to deliver electricity.
Sustainable transport
Any two from:
• Offering subsidies for hybrid/electric vehicles.
• Extending the public transport network.
• Developing good online services. [8]
The world population exceeded 8 billion people in 2022.
Discuss how an increasing world population affects the Earth’s resources. Your
answer should make specific reference to the following resources:
• Food
• shelter
The effect of an increasing world population on food;
• Rising consumption of food per head of population in industrialised
countries and emerging economies.
• Climate change and the impact on food production. For example,
droughts, floods and desertification.
• Land degradation and the impact on food supplies, e.g. industrial activity,
urban expansion, climate change.
• Crop and cropland losses to non-food production, e.g. energy crops.
The effect of an increasing world population on shelter;
• The world is experiencing a global housing crisis. Worldwide, almost 1bn
people live in urban slums.
• In the developed world, pressure on housing causes house prices and
rents to rise.
• In the developing world demand for shelter leads to overcrowding and
poor sanitation in the poorer regions, increasing the spread of disease.
• Lack of clean water and sanitation claim the lives of more than 1.8 million
young children every year.
