Activities Pages 231-234 Statistical Analysis
# 8 Distribution of Global Resources in Figure 9.24
a) Generally, the distribution and production of mineral resources in Canada is uneven. Ontario and Quebec are richest in metal resources, with British Columbia showing a strong third. Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick share most of the non-metal resources, while Alberta far overshadows all other provinces with its share of fuels. The poorest provinces in these categories are as follows: i) metals: PEI and Nova Scotia ii) non-metals: PEI, Newfoundland, Yukon, and
Northwest Territories iii) fuels: Newfoundland, PEI, and Quebec The province that is far and away the wealthiest in terms of total mineral production is Alberta, thanks to its location astride vast fields of coal and oil. The geology of western Canada east of the Rocky Mountains serves up these natural resources in abundance.
Such uneven distribution of resources enables some provinces to acquire great wealth and condemns others to comparative poverty.
b) Observations might include the following:
? PEI has absolutely no significant mineral resources.
? Alberta's fuel resources account for more than 50 per cent of Canada's total mineral-resource inventory.
? Offshore deposits of oil and natural gas could change the status of Canada's eastern provinces, especially that of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
a) At 1868 m3 per person per year, the US is using more water per person than each of the other three nations, even though it doesn't have as much renewable water as Canada. It is difficult to say if the water is being "wasted," however, because a more detailed account of how it is being used is not available in this table. Students will know, from their general knowledge of American culture, that Americans use water to wash cars, water lawns and golf courses, and fill private swimming pools, all of which could be viewed as wasteful. The table does tell us that the Sudan uses 99 percent of its withdrawals for agriculture. Students could hazard a guess that this water is not likely being wasted.
b) Because Canada only withdraws 1 percent of its water resource, it would follow that it has a large percentage in reserve (99 percent!). Compared with the other three countries, it enjoys 106 000 m3 per person of annual renewable water resource, which is far more than even the second-ranked country, the US, at 9710 m3 for every man, woman, and child. In light of how we have viewed resources in the past (for example, we once thought there were more fish than we could ever catch), we might say that at present Canada has more water than it needs. On the other hand, one could speculate that Sudan would use more if it were available.
c) Sudan is withdrawing 1093 m3 per person per year on an annual per capita renewable resource rate of 1130 m3 per person. That's close to sustainable level. Increasing needs from a larger population or growing industries, or a shorter supply resulting from climate change, for example, could result in serious water shortages in Sudan. Because Canada is withdrawing only 1 percent of her water resources each year, it seems that Canadians are not in danger of experiencing water shortages.
To make a firmer prediction, it would be helpful to see data showing usage trends over a fifty-year period before one comes to a conclusion about who will experience a water shortage.
d) The per capita levels of water resources of the US and Canada differ markedly even though both countries have roughly the same total amount of water. In the US roughly 250 million people must share 2478 km3 of water whereas in Canada roughly 30 million people must share 2901 km3. The vast differences in population make the difference.
e) Canada is withdrawing the smallest percentage of its water resources at 1 percent. The US is withdrawing the largest percentage at 19 percent.
Because Canada and the US are located geographically close together, it is conceivable that the US might look to Canada as a source of water. Water was an issue in the Free Trade negotiations and access to it could develop into a very significant political issue. f) See Figure 9-2. Possible observations:
? Sudan uses practically all her water for agricultural production. Her climate would require heavy irrigation and her lack of industrial activity would indicate a high need to produce her own food.
? Norway and Canada appear to have sufficient water resources to use high percentages for industry and domestic purposes.
? Norway's mild and wet climate does not require irrigation practices. Comparatively, her agricultural sector is not as extensive as it is in the US or Canada.
? Canada uses most of her water resources for industry, as does Norway.
Organizing Information
11 a) Because the political and socio-economic conditions in Russia are so volatile, student answers will vary from year to year.
b) The organizer might look something like Figure 9-3, although the chart only supplies the suggested areas of change, not the actual changes. Because the situation in Russia is so volatile, any information provided would quickly be outdated.
Many national or international newspapers will carry updated information and special articles on the international prices of gold and petroleum products, the daily value of the Russian ruble against other currencies, the popularity of President Vladimir Putin, and so on. Reference yearbooks will carry news of significant events. These stories will range from fighting crime, disgruntled coal miners waiting for back wages, Russian membership in the G8 and other relevant developments.
c) The interrelationship between the three resource categories should be self-evident. For example, a drop in the price of oil on the world market would cut into Russian profits, which could possibly increase Russia's debt, forcing prices up and wages down. Resultant unemployment would lead to further poverty and force people to unlawful acts for survival. Alternatively, they may choose to immigrate to another country in search of a higher standard of living, which would appear on the chart in the form of higher emigration levels.