Exam # 2 Study Guide Units: 3-5Unit 3 (2/20 – 3/4)Resources and FoodExtractions – humans extract what they need (food, metals, minerals)Division of labor – unique to humansEnvironmental Determinism – the environment in which a society lives determines its trajectory Possibilism – the environment sets constraints for development, but human culture sets the final courseUneven Spatial Development – economic, social, and political outcomes are unevenly distributed Jared Diamond – author of Guns, Germs and SteelEnvironmental deterministArgued that history can be boiled down to geographical preconditions for food production and technological development not because of any superiority between civilizations.ResourcesNatural resource – anything created through a natural process that is beneficial to humansMost important = foodProved reserve – portion of natural resources that has been found and can economically be developed3 Elements of Society1. Cultural values that influence the decision that the resource is desirable and acceptable to use.2. Level of technology must be sufficient to enable use of the resource.3. Economic system determines if a resource is affordable and accessible (i.e. a proved resource)View of resources can change over time.If resources become scarce or increase in waste1. New technologies permit the substitution of new materials.2. New technologies permit a more efficient use of resources. 3. New technologies permit the recycling of material that was once considered waste.Renewable resource – nature can regenerate as fast as the resources are used by humans.Perpetual resources – renewable, come from a source that is virtually inexhaustible and indestructible. Example: wind, solar, tidal, geothermal energyPotentially renewable – resources that can regenerate in a short time span but humans can also destroy Example: forestsNonrenewable resource – cannot regenerate within the time period that they are consumed Mineral resources – derived from the lithosphereNonmetallic (stone, graphite) are generally easier to obtainLarger the country the more likely it is to contain commercially exploitable depositsCartel – controls the output levels and price of mineral resources that are concentrated in a few countries. Work best when demand is strong.Minerals are nonrenewable Economic issueExternality – is a gain or loss to someone due to the actions of someone elsePositive externality – is a reward one receives for these actionsNegative eternality – is a cost one incurs due to these actionsExample: pollution GEOG 1000 1st EditionProducer externalizes cost to maximize profitsConsumer externalizes cost to maximize consumer surplusControversial – no one wants to pay for externalities aka fossil fuels, pollution, etc.Waste1. Landfill disposal 2. Incineration – can also be used to convert waste to energyDrawbacks: toxic substances released, concentrates waste, waste has to be shipped3. RecyclingBarriers: waste separation, consumer resistance, lack of market and hidden costsEnergy Resources Fossil FuelsOil, natural gas and coalAccount for 90% of all energy productionMost important resource for the rest of the worldReserves concentrated in a few countriesCoalMost abundant of the fossil fuels Most environmentally harmful Most difficult to transportNatural GasConcentrated in former Soviet Union and Middle EastTrade between Russia and EuropeOilMost widely used Most concentrated in Middle EastMiddle East produces far more oil than it consumesGlobal political importanceOrganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries cartelTransported by pipelines or tanker shipsPeak Oil – highest production level may occur within the estimated 40 years left that the reserves can meet demandsRenewable Energy ResourcesNuclear PowerPotential accidents – Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, FukushimaRadioactive waste High costNo new plant in US since 1978BiomassMost widely used in developing countriesPlant material and animal wasteHydro-electric PowerSecond most commonly used to produce electricityOnly where is it availableNegative – damming of riversGeothermalEnergy from the earth’s heat below the surfaceGood for heating or to generate electricityWindRenewableConsume landHazard to birdsSolarSolar thermal energyLeast area needed to generate powerAir and Water resourcesVital for humansWhen the concentration of waste exceeds a threshold, that air/water becomes pollutedPollution Higher in more concentrated areas (urban areas)Point pollution – enter environment at specific sites, easier to deal withWaste treatment plantNonpoint Pollution – diffuse into environment. Example: automobile exhaustAir pollutionOccurs when trace substances exceed average levels in the airNatural sources of air pollution: volcanic ash, marsh gases, smoke, windblown dustPrimary pollutants: CO2, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbonsFactors that affect air pollution: climate, weather, wind patterns, topographyAcid Rain – result of pollution, when sulfur and nitrogen oxides combine with water vaporEffects soil, water and materialsBig problem in developing countriesPhotochemical SmogNitrous oxides from automobile and industry exhausts Creates respiratory problemsOzone DepletionIs being depleted by chemical reactions with CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform.Hole in the southern hemisphere = increase in skin cancer, eye cataracts, effects on ocean Water PollutionWater is the universal solvent4 contributors: Agriculture, industry, mining and municipalities and resourcesDissolved oxygen is a major problem for aquatic lifeDisease – wastewater managementForest resources Renewable resource that needs to be managedImportance: Carbon cycle, reduce erosion, habitat, fuel, shelter, food and medicineSustained yield – selective cutting instead of clear cuttingFood The Human Food Supply Problem of distributing rather than quantity producedThomas Malthus – came to conclusion that humanity would not be able to feed itself foreverFood production grows (1-2-3-4-5) but population grows (2-4-8-16-32)Malthus was wrong – increase in the availability of foodMore naturally fertile soils came under cultivationThe transplanting of food crops to new areas where they are more productiveImprovements in the transportation and storage of food - refrigerationScientific revolution in agriculture – expand and raise productivity of cultivated areasThe