Resources - food, energy and water
are things that people use. Some resources are essential for survival, whilst others are needed to maintain a .
Food
People cannot live without food. The average person needs to consume between 2,000 and 2,500 per day. The actual number of calories needed depends on factors such as sex, age, height and level of activity.
Eating too few calories causes weight loss and can lead to a lack of energy. People who do not have enough food to eat may find it difficult to work. If there are too many people in a country who are unable to work, this can negatively impact the wealth of the country. Consuming too many calories can cause weight gain which can also make it difficult to work.
Water
People cannot live without water. Water makes up about two thirds of a person's body. We need it for our body to function, eg to absorb nutrients and get rid of waste. Each person should drink between 1.6 and 2 litres of water a day. The actual amount of water needed depends on factors such as the air temperature and the type of activity that a person undertakes each day.
Water is also used to keep ourselves clean and healthy, and is also needed to grow food and for . In drier countries or drier seasons, enables crops to grow. Industry uses water in many ways, such as cleaning, cooling and as a in production.
Energy
Energy has many uses. It heats homes and offices, cooks our food and powers transport. Much of the energy that is used is in the form of electricity. This is called - sources, such as or the wind, have been used to generate it.
Energy affects both food supplies and industry. and growing required to generate energy takes up valuable farmland, which reduces the amount of food available to eat. And if energy is more expensive or in short supply, then it costs more to produce and transport food. This is passed on to consumers through an increase in the price of food.
