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Using Figure 9, suggest how the percentage of income spent on food may influence well-being - AQA - GCSE Geography - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 2
Question 3
Using Figure 9, suggest how the percentage of income spent on food may influence well-being. What is organic farming? Explain why there is a growing demand in the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Using Figure 9, suggest how the percentage of income spent on food may influence well-being - AQA - GCSE Geography - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 2
Step 1
Using Figure 9, suggest how the percentage of income spent on food may influence well-being.
Answer
The percentage of income spent on food can significantly impact well-being in several ways. For instance, in high-income countries (HICs) like the UK, individuals typically spend a smaller portion of their income on food compared to those in low-income countries (LICs). As a result, people in HICs often have more disposable income for other essential needs, such as healthcare and education.
On the other hand, LICs tend to allocate a larger fraction of their income to food, often spending more than a third of it. This heavy spending can lead to financial strain, limiting their access to healthcare services and negatively affecting their overall quality of life. Therefore, greater expenditure on food in LICs correlates with lower well-being compared to HICs.
Step 2
What is organic farming?
Answer
Organic farming is an agricultural practice that focuses on producing food without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers. Instead, it emphasizes the use of natural processes and materials. This method includes practices such as crop rotation, composting, and the use of biological pest control, ensuring that the ecological balance is maintained and promoting sustainability in food production.
Step 3
Explain why there is a growing demand in the UK for food from LICs.
Answer
The increasing demand for food from LICs in the UK can be attributed to several factors. First, there is a rising appetite for fresh and seasonal produce throughout the year, such as strawberries imported from Mexico, driven by consumer preferences.
Additionally, as UK consumers’ disposable incomes have increased, they are more willing to buy exotic fruits and vegetables, which may not be locally available. Furthermore, supermarkets in the UK often source food from LICs because it tends to be cheaper, making it an attractive choice for both retailers and consumers. However, there remains concern as the UK is not self-sufficient in fruit and vegetables, highlighting the reliance on imports.
Step 4
'There are economic and environmental issues associated with the exploitation of energy sources.' Use evidence from Figure 10a and Figure 10b to explain this statement.
Answer
The statement regarding economic and environmental issues in energy exploitation highlights significant concerns in the UK. Figure 10a illustrates the costs associated with various energy sources, showing that while onshore wind energy is the cheapest, fossil fuels like coal and gas have greater operational costs and environmental impacts.
Figure 10b complements this by depicting the landscape damage caused by coal mining, influencing public sentiment against such methods due to their visible damage to the environment. The reliance on fossil fuels not only raises economic costs over time but also contributes to long-term environmental degradation, leading to a dilemma between cost-effectiveness and sustainable practices. This indicates that while fossil fuels may offer short-term economic benefits, their detrimental impacts on both the economy and the environment should not be overlooked.