Food, Water and Energy Security
Food security means reliable access to nutritious food. Food insecurity affects areas facing poverty, conflict, climate change, and poor transport. The global map shows huge calorie intake differences - some countries consume over 3,000 calories per person daily whilst others struggle with under 2,000.
Increasing food supply uses various methods: hydroponics grows plants without soil using nutrient solutions, biotechnology creates genetically modified crops, irrigation provides water in dry areas, and the New Green Revolution combines GM varieties with sustainable farming. Thanet Earth in Kent uses massive greenhouses and hydroponics, supporting 700 jobs and producing food year-round but requiring lots of energy.
Water security means reliable access to clean water. Water insecurity and water stress (less than 1,700m³ per person annually) affect billions. Physical factors include climate, geology, and droughts. Human factors involve pollution, poverty, limited infrastructure, and over-abstraction. Solutions include dams and reservoirs, desalination, water transfer schemes, and groundwater management.
Crucial fact: Water insecurity affects food production, spreads disease, reduces industrial output, and can trigger conflicts between countries.
Energy security means reliable, affordable energy supplies. Energy insecurity results from geological factors, climate variations, natural disasters, extraction costs, and political conflicts. Increasing energy supply involves both non-renewables (more efficient fossil fuel plants, nuclear power) and renewables (wind, solar, biomass). Sustainable energy includes better home design, efficient technology, and changed transport habits. Fracking for shale gas offers job creation but risks groundwater pollution and earthquakes.