Distribution of Water, Food, Energy, and Other Resources
- Imagine a world where water, food, and energy are perfectly balanced, meeting everyone’s needs without strain.
- Unfortunately, this is far from reality.
- Resources are unevenly distributed, creating disparities that affect billions.
- Some areas of the world are described as resource rich, while others as resource poor.
- In theory having natural resources should help with a country's development, but it is not always the case.
The resource curse, also known as the paradox of plenty, refers to the phenomenon where countries with abundant natural resources, such as minerals and oil, often experience less economic growth and poorer development outcomes compared to countries with fewer natural resources.
Key aspects of resource curse are:
- Economic Dependency: Over-reliance on resource exports can lead to economic volatility and neglect of other sectors.
- Corruption and Governance Issues: Wealth from resources can fuel corruption and weaken governance, as control over lucrative resources may lead to power struggles and mismanagement.
- Social and Environmental Challenges: Resource extraction can cause environmental degradation and social conflicts, impacting long-term sustainable development.
An example of resource curse is Democratic Republic of Congo.
Water
Uneven Distribution and Virtual Water
Uneven Distribution of Freshwater Resources
- Freshwater is vital for drinking, agriculture, and industry, yet it is unevenly distributed across the globe.
- Nearly 800 million people do not have access to safe drinking water (no access to water and/or it takes more than 30-minute round trip to get water).
- Water use is projected to increase by 50% in the next 30 years.
- Nearly half of humankind lives in under conditions of water stress (especially in North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Asia, and South Asia).
Consumption of Water Varies Between Places
- Average water consumption per capita varies significantly between high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: from couple of thousands of liters of water per person per day to less than 50.
- The scale of water consumption is also impacted by environmental conditions and water availability.
- World average water use: Agriculture (70%), Industry (22%), Municipal Sector / Domestic Use (8%).
Virtual Water
- Virtual water refers to the volume of water embedded in the production of goods and services, particularly agricultural products.
- It encompasses all the water used throughout the entire production process, including water for irrigation, processing, and transportation.
- The concept highlights the notion that water is not just a physical resource but also a crucial element in global trade, influencing food security and water management policies.
Producing 1 kilogram of beef requires at least fifteen thousand of liters of water.
Food
Production And Consumption Follow Different Patterns
Food Production Mostly Relies on Environmental Conditions
- Agriculture requires water availability, fertile soils, proper topography and exposure to Sun as well as handful of human factors.
- The are countries referred to as "breadbaskets" being prominent producers and exporters of food, especially of staple grains, particularly wheat and other cereals.
