World Resources – scarcity and conflict

In the 1960s, whiz photograph changed the bureau humankind break downers, scientists and the familiar population thought almost the management of the humannesss resources. People became concerned rough the humankinds resources running out. This photograph was our Earth. When dry land leaders saw this photograph interpreted from space, the world faceed for the counterbalance time the world looked sm both and mortal, this is beca call thither is so many throng on this planet and in that location drives to be consideration on what resources we use, and how much we use of them. The term spaceship earth is utilize here to describe how the great unwashed felt active the Earths resourcesthey were limited alone as a spaceship has limited reserves of air, pee and food. originally world leaders were in illusion thinking that the worlds resources were in abundance. just about resources be non renewable representing that after they run out at that space is no demeanor o f replacing them, and they only reform after millions of old age these resources ar called fossil fuels. on that point are three types of fossil fuels (crude oil, sear and natural gas). These resources are the resources the world should be concerned about and wherefore use it sparingly. However the fossil fuels although the most of the essence(predicate) are not the only non renewable resources, new(prenominal)s include food and woodlands. on that point are early(a)wise resources called renewable vim sources which are starting to be developed such(prenominal) as biomass and pencil lead power which allows the earths natural processes such as wind and through certain mechanisms covert it into push which washbasin be utilize for electricity.So in answer to the question, the fossil fuels are the most important world resources, nonetheless there are other non renewable world resources that guard to be precautionfully used otherwise certain things couldnt happen, for s lip imagine what the world would be like without out any wood.When the foremost maps of the world were created, many parts of the world were not detect and thereof because society in that twenty-four hour period and age call backd in sea creatures and mermaids and other such things, everyone thought two things, firstly that at the end of the world was infinite and secondly that at the end of the worlds there were sea monsters. The first maps of the world were flat. Naturally many incorrect assumptions had been made, the world was not limitless and of course no sea monsters. However as countries began to be discovered the world seemed to make out limitless and powerful. People began to have a attention free people attitude about the resources because they thought they would never run out.Things started to go downhill when it was discovered that the world was actually round, people started to believe that the world was not limitless, however they still remained in the delusion that the worlds resources were not sledding to run out any time short and then and so continued with their care free attitude. It was not until the 1960s that people began to get demented about the worlds resources and decide to do or sothing not to waste electricity (which in theory is the product of fossil fuels). This diagram shows how many people began to care about the world.BackgroundThere are two main appointed views in regard to the worlds resources running out. These are optimists and pessimistsOptimists ViewOptimists believe that the worlds resources are stilltually discharge to run out, nevertheless we can break that happening, and our succeeding(a) is not doomed. Because the is such talk and media coverage of the worlds resources running out optimists hold that people result alter their lifestyle and take certain measures to de destroy the worlds resources running out such as riseing their computers off at night. Optimists alike believe because of advance d technology and skill, we can discover much and to a greater extent than option fuels, optimists believe that people would use ersatz sinew sources as it is cheap and because more economical. In the future optimists believe that there should be a more equal statistical distribution of the worlds resources. historied optimists include E.Boserup and J.Simon.Pessimists ViewThese people believe that the worlds resources have a finite limit and could eventually run out or be disgraced beyond repair. In 1970, 10 countries, contendn as the Club of Rome, met in order to discuss resource management. Their musical composition, entitled The Limits to Growth, made predictions about a world where continued industrial and population growth would consume both(prenominal) resources and food supplies. This Club believed that population increase are the reason why world resources are running out because there is more request for it they put forward the idea of preventive checks. An us age of one of their ideas is the one baby policy they wanted to make the one child and transnational policy. Famous pessimists include P.Ehrlich.Factors that are ca employ the Worlds Resources to DecreaseThere are a few main factors that are causing the worlds resources to decrease.PopulationBecause there is such a growth of population, people are needing more and more energy in their house. This is best displayed in a case field of studyIn the year 2000 Family A (comprising of a husband and wife) used 20,000kg of energy per year. In 2002 they had their first child. Before Family A didnt watch that much T.V., however now because their child needs entertainment, the T.V. is turned on for the whole day even if the child is not watching. So in 2003 their yearly purpose increase to 25,000kg.Now think of this on an international scale and chance(a) the population is using up more and more world resources. Optimists vocalise that creating new alternative energy sources quite than u sing the fossil fuels up, is the way forward. Pessimists say that the way forward is to enforce an international one child policy, to over populated areas to balance the population out to one of an best population. However I agree with the pessimists but I dont think there should be an international one child policy, but as a whole unit we need to find a method to contact optimum population and taking into consideration a specific areas carrying substance and therefore move into the direction of sustainable development.Economic ThreatsBecause of the current economic downturn people are turning to cheaper ways to provide heat, piddle and electricity to their houses they are put off by the idea of alternative energy sources such as solar panels because they cant afford itCase Study-Diamonds (sierra Leone)In this day and age baseball fields are such a controversial issue, as most people in the West think diamonds are prudish stones that are on their rings, however twenty long ti me ago 40% of all diamonds were somehow in the process of purchase/selling at least one illegal transaction was carried out, now due to the Kimberly proportionateness and other factors including media this figure has decreased to 25%. Diamonds are a world resource that is limited as they ordain eventually run out.sierra Leone is a country located in the north west of Africa. sierra Leone is one of the largest diamond producer in the world this is because of its geographical location, its rest period and finally because it has so many mines. This is still unfortunately has not lead to the economic development of the country, because climb troops take over the mines and take all profits. Sometimes diamonds are fought over these diamonds are known as troth/blood diamonds.sierra Leones Conflict DiamondsIn 1991, Sierra Leone a rebel force known as the Revolutionary United precedent (RUF) launched assaults against the government. A military government was set up, yet this did not disapprove the RUF attacks. From the beginning, the RUF became allies with Liberia. Their goal was officially to combat crime and corruption but it soon became clear that their main aim was to take control of the diamond mines. The RUF would take prisoners and enslave them to work in the diamond mines. The work conditions were noble and they were punished for the slightest things. Anyone opposed to the RUFs methods and practices would be brutally punished. All this was unknown to or perhaps ignored by the outside world for many years. UN studies pronounce that about $125 million worth of rough diamonds were bought by the diamond industry in Europe alone The equivalent of this money is tens of thousands of people killed and even more hurt. It was only in 1999 that the UN deployed a mission to Sierra Leone to cope with the problem of Sierra Leone Conflcit Diamonds. Since then, sanctions have been put in place so as to curb such illegal activities. The Kimberly Process assay-mark Scheme requires a paper trail that certifies the origin of rough diamonds. This aims to caterpillar track off the flow of diamonds from countries like Sierra Leone.The question that remains to be answered today is whether the paper trail that accompanies each diamond shipment is for real. Certificates can be forged. Rough diamonds can be smuggled into a deprive country. After that, there would be no way of knowing where the gems came from. There is always a willinging market somewhere in some other country. Traders and buyers dont always ask questions. They are just happy to buy and line of merchandise their pockets. In an area inflicted with suffering and poverty, there is always an official who would be willing to accept bribes. All it takes is one person to overlook a shipment of blood diamonds. For all we know, there might still be a steady flow of rough conflict diamonds coming from the mines of Sierra Leone today. We do not know any of these facts and figures exactly as the brass is reluctant to let media or aid into the country. In 2000 the BBC published a moving article and photo about diamonds in Sierra Leone. effect of the BBC Article and PhotoThe BBC article had a resounding effect on the rest f the world not only did people become more interested in where their diamonds came from, but starting to buy ethical diamonds. as well as Kanye West (singer) released a controversial song about diamonds in Sierra Leone which caused more and more people to take an interest of the origins of the diamonds. Also Kanye West refused to wear any type of bling which influenced many children.Artificial/ manhood made DiamondsScience have finally found a way to make diamonds-Bad News for Sierra Leone this was a news headline a few years ago form the BBC. Everyone knew the time would come when science would be able to find a way to make diamonds. There is a plus side and down side for this, firstly the up side. If more people buy synthetic diamonds because they are cheaper, then more people would stop buying diamonds that have been sold but rebel forces. However on the down side the economy of Sierra Leone is plummeting to all time low because more and more people are buying synthetic diamonds because of the recession.The Kimberly ProcessThe Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (Kimberley Process) is an international governmental certification scheme that was set up to prevent the trade in diamonds that fund conflict. Launched in January 2003, the scheme requires governments to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from blood diamonds.Case Study- piddle system (Across the Globe)Water is a world resource as we rely on it thoroughly and if we didnt have the sad reality is we would die. Water is not at the moment is shortage, but the way consumption is going in the West in the next one hundred years it could well become shortage. We have a good supply of piddle in the West, however in LEDCs, water is quite hard to lay hands on. Water is one of the apex essentials for life as we know it. The plain fact is no water, no life This becomes all the more worrying when we realise that the worlds supply of drinkable water will soon diminish quite rapidly. In fact a recent report commissioned by the United Nations has emphasised that by the year 2025 at least 66% of the worlds population will be without an adequate water supply.Incalculable damage.As a disaster in the making water shortage ranks in the top category. Without water we are finished, and it is thus insistent that we protect the mechanism through which we derive our supply of this life with child(p) fluid. Unfortunately the exact opposite is the case. We are doing incalculable damage to the planets capability to generate water and this will have far ranging consequences for the not withal distant future.Bleak futureThe United Nations has warned that burning of fossil fuels is the prime cause of water shortage. While there may be other reasons such as increased solar activity it is clear that this is a situation over which we can exert a great deal of control. If not then the future will be very new indeed Already the warning signs are there.DroughtsThe last year has seen annihilating heatwaves in many parts of the world including the USA where the state of Texas experient its worst drought on record. Elsewhere in the United States forest fires raged out of control, while other regions of the globe experienced drought conditions that were even more severe. Parts of Iran, Afgahnistan, China and other neighbouring countries experienced their worst droughts on record. These conditions also extended throughout many parts of Africa and it is clear that if heap remain unchanged we are facing a disaster of epic proportions. Moreover it will be one for which there is no light(a) answer.Dangers.The spectre of a world water shortage evokes a rightfully frightening scenario. In fact the United Nations warns that disputes over wate r will become the prime source of conflict in the not alike distant future. Where these shortages become ever more acute it could forseeably lead to the scepter of nuclear conflict. On a lesser scale water, and the price of it, will acquire an importance somewhat like the current value displace on oil. The difference of course is that while oil is not brisk for life, water most certainly isPower shift.It seems clear then that in future years countries rich in water will delight an importance that perhaps they do not have today. In these slew power shifts are inevitable, and this will undoubtedly create its own discordance and tension. Nightmare situation.In the long term the implications do not look supporting. It is a two edged sword. First the shortage of water, and then the increased stresses this will impose upon an already stressed world of politics. It means that answers need to be found immediately. Answers that will both improve the damage to the environment, and also find new sources of water for future consumption. If not, and the problem is left discordant there will eventually come the day when we shall find ourselves with a nightmare situation for which there will be no limpid answer.ConclusionOverall I feel that we should be optimistic about the resource management in the future however we should guard about being complacent and consequently wasteful. Science is developing quickly and in the future there will be a system of some sort to enable better management of the resources. However again this doesnt mean we can be wasteful, also we have to make sure that we use certain resources more conservatively to envision future generations live happily.On the other hand however if we implant many more alternative energy resources (i.e. wind power instead of coal) then future generations will use them as the norm, rather than the present day generation who have to deal with this cross over stage that we are undergoing now-the Government encour aging other sources of energy, however when we look at these the prices are sky high. To ensure that we manage resources so that it is more sustainable, I propose certain plans1) ontogenesis price of electricity and gas, decrease price of alternative energy sources (for example solar panels). This would hopefully on the economic side of things encourage people to use alternative fuel.2) Carry out a major distribution project of the world resources, ensuring each country has roughly the same amount.3) set up up a kind of police to make sure diamonds are not being sold or mined illegally, through slaveholding or through violence. This will ensure the decrease the amount of conflict or blood diamonds.Finally, I have outlined five strategies for using more sustainability in my daily life1) Have a shower, rather than a bath. This will decrease the amount of water I use, disgrace the water bills and make it more efficient cleaning process.2) When shopping with my parents, I should enco urage them to look at the label and check where the product comes from, and therefore try to get the product, which has the least food miles.3) Encourage my parents to buy energy saving bulbs, which last longer, and are more sustainable.4) When going out turn off my computer rather than leaving it on standby.5) When making a cup of tea, dont fill the kettle right to the top, as that wastes, water and energy.