New
New
Year 11
AQA

The importance of food, water and energy for human development

I can explain the significance of food, water and energy to well-being and describe global inequalities in supply and consumption of these resources.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

The importance of food, water and energy for human development

I can explain the significance of food, water and energy to well-being and describe global inequalities in supply and consumption of these resources.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Food, water and energy affect economic and social well-being and are fundamental to human development.
  2. There are global inequalities in the supply and consumption of: food, water and energy resources.
  3. Around 10% of people worldwide face hunger; between 740-780 million people.
  4. There is overlap between regions in which many face hunger and those in which many lack safe water and/or electricity.
  5. Supply (or lack of resources) limits consumption in some locations, as does poverty.

Keywords

  • Resources - materials available in the environment (such as water, food and oil) that support our wants and needs

  • Undernutrition - not consuming enough calories (or nutrients) to maintain a normal, active, healthy life

  • Sanitation - systems designed to protect public health, such as disposing of sewage and other waste products

Common misconception

Access to electricity means 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Having access to electricity means having an electricity source that can provide lighting and charge a phone or radio for 4 hours a day. In LICs, and some NEEs, electricity outages are part of daily life.


To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: The importance of food, water and energy for human development, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

There will be opportunities to reinforce key ideas about inequality and resource management in later lessons looking at global resources; choose between food, water and energy for your students key focus.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definition.

Correct Answer:well-being,people's quality of life and basic needs

people's quality of life and basic needs

Correct Answer:consumption,the use of food, water or energy

the use of food, water or energy

Correct Answer:supply,the amount of a resource that is avalible

the amount of a resource that is avalible

Q2.
Which of these is essential for human development?

Mobile phones
Sports facilities
Correct answer: Food, water and energy
Social media access

Q3.
What percentage of people globally face hunger?

2%
Correct answer: Around 10%
Around 50%
Over 80%

Q4.
Which areas are most affected by lack of food, water and energy?

Cities in rich countries
Correct answer: Poorer regions in the world
Rural areas in the UK
Places with lots of technology

Q5.
Many people lack access to clean , which affects health and development.

Correct Answer: water

Q6.
What is one reason some people use fewer resources than others?

They don’t want to
They prefer natural living
Everyone uses the same amount
Correct answer: Poverty and limited supply

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.

Correct Answer:resources,materials that meet human needs, like water and food

materials that meet human needs, like water and food

Correct Answer:undernutrition,not eating enough to stay healthy

not eating enough to stay healthy

Correct Answer:sanitation,safe systems for dealing with waste

safe systems for dealing with waste

Q2.
How does a lack of clean water affect people?

It saves money
It improves cooking
Correct answer: It can cause illness
It has no effect

Q3.
What is one way energy helps development?

By planting trees
Correct answer: By powering homes and businesses
By making noise
By lowering food costs

Q4.
Which is true about electricity access in some LICs?

Everyone has power all day
It's never available
It works better than in HICs
Correct answer: It may only work for a few hours