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

Resources - key terms

Biomass – Organic material used as a renewable source of energy, particularly from forests, agricultural crops, or waste.

Critical minerals – Essential minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements that are vital to modern technologies but are geographically concentrated and geopolitically sensitive.

Energy mix – The combination of different energy sources (fossil fuels, nuclear, renewables) used by a country or region.

Fossil fuels – Non-renewable sources of energy such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from ancient organic matter.

Geopolitics – The influence of geographic and political factors on global resource distribution, trade, and conflict.

Hydroelectric power (HEP) – Renewable energy generated by the movement of water, often requiring steep terrain and abundant rainfall.

Mineral ore – A rock containing valuable metals (e.g. iron, copper) that can be extracted and refined.

Natural gas – A fossil fuel found alongside oil; cleaner than coal or oil but still non-renewable.

Nuclear energy – Energy produced by splitting uranium atoms in nuclear reactors; generates electricity with low carbon emissions but has safety and waste concerns.

Oil – A major fossil fuel used in transport, industry, and plastics, found in concentrated global reserves like the Middle East.

Ore refining – The process of extracting usable metals from mined ore, often requiring high temperatures and energy use.

Renewable energy – Energy from naturally replenishing sources like solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass.

Resource distribution – The uneven global spread of natural resources, affecting trade, development, and geopolitics.

Resource scarcity – When the demand for a resource exceeds its supply, either physically or economically.

Smelting – A method of extracting metal from its ore by using high heat.

Trade – The global exchange of resources, often controlled by TNCs, with LICs exporting raw materials and HICs importing for manufacturing.

Uranium – A radioactive metal used to fuel nuclear reactors; concentrated in countries like Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia.

Sustainable resources - key terms

Adaptation Fund – A global financial resource helping vulnerable countries adapt to climate change, especially in shifting towards renewables.

Carbon neutrality – Balancing the amount of carbon emitted with the amount removed or offset, often a goal for sustainable resource use.

Circular economy – An economic system aimed at eliminating waste by reusing, recycling, and regenerating resources.

Economic water scarcity – When water is physically available but not accessible due to poor infrastructure or affordability.

Environmental degradation – The damage or destruction of ecosystems and natural resources through overuse or pollution.

Green energy – Energy sources that are renewable and have minimal impact on the environment (e.g. wind, solar, hydro).

Overconsumption – The excessive use of resources beyond what is sustainable, often seen in HICs.

Recycling – The reprocessing of used materials to make new products, reducing the need for raw resource extraction.

Renewable transition – The global shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy to combat climate change.

Resource efficiency – Using natural resources in a way that minimises waste and maximises productivity.

Sustainable development – Meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations, balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

Water scarcity – A situation where water availability is lower than demand, which may be due to either physical or economic factors.

Wind and solar potential – The geographical suitability of a location to generate renewable energy based on climate and landscape conditions.