Key Terms: Natural Resource Issues (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Global patterns of energy and ore - key terms

Critical minerals - Resources vital to the manufacture of products that service growing economies, such as high tech devices and low-carbon technologies. They may be deemed critical if supply lines are at risk of disruption.

Energy mix – The range of different energy sources used by a country or globally, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables.

Flow resources – Naturally renewable resources such as solar, wind, and hydro, which are replenished in short timescales.

Mineral ore – Naturally occurring rock containing valuable minerals such as copper or iron that can be extracted and processed.

OPEC -Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries - refers to a cartel of 13 of the world's major oil-exporting nations, mainly Middle Eastern countries as well as Angola, Ecuador, Nigeria and Venezuela.

Peak resource – The point of maximum production of a resource, after which availability and extraction rates decline.

Proven reserves – Known quantities of a resource that are economically and technologically viable to extract.

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) - A group of seventeen metallic elements useful because of their similar but unusual chemical and physical properties. Examples include cerium, which is used in catalytic converters in vehicles and the refining of crude oil.

Resource depletion – The reduction of a resource due to overuse, particularly relevant to finite stock resources like oil or copper.

Stock resources – Non-renewable resources formed over long geological periods, such as fossil fuels and metals.

Global patterns of water - key terms

Economic water scarcity – When water is available in nature but inaccessible due to lack of infrastructure or investment.

Physical water scarcity – When natural water supplies are insufficient to meet demand, often in arid climates.

Water deficit - When the demand for water is greater than the supply.

Water insecurity – A situation where the availability or quality of water is insufficient for human or environmental needs.

Water stress – The ratio of water use to available supply, indicating regions with high demand and limited resources.

Water surplus - When supply of water is greater than the demand.

Water use patterns – Globally uneven, with high consumption in HICs due to industrial and domestic demand, and variable availability across climate zones.

Geopolitics of resources - key terms

Geopolitical tension – Conflict or strained relations between countries over access to or control of valuable resources (e.g. oil, gas, rare earth metals).

Global trade routes – International shipping lanes and pipelines that transport resources; their control is a source of strategic power.

Resource frontier – A remote area newly opened for resource extraction, such as the Arctic, often presenting environmental and geopolitical challenges (see page 6).

Resource nationalism – When a country prioritises domestic control of its natural resources, sometimes restricting foreign access or investment.

Resource security – The ability of a country to maintain access to essential resources for economic and social stability.

Resource scarcity – The limited availability of essential resources can lead to political conflict or trade disputes between countries.

Strategic reserves – Government-held stockpiles of key resources like oil, used to protect against future shortages or price shocks.

Transboundary resources – Natural resources such as rivers, aquifers, or oil fields that cross national borders, often requiring international agreements to manage.