Uneven Distribution of Resources

Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 6.1.2

How are Resources Distributed Globally?

Different climates, geographies, and countries have access to different resources.

Some countries have lots of energy resources, some countries have lots of access to water, some countries have access to food and some countries have good access to all of them.
The DRC has 52% of all the surface water in Africa.
Some economists believe that the UK developed rapidly because it had access to coal (energy), had a good climate and fertile farmland (food), as well as natural water sources (lakes, reservoirs, and underground aquifers).

If a country doesn't have a resource, it usually uses technology to access it, or it imports it from another country. Historically, it may lead to war, and colonialism could be explained by a desire to secure resources.
High-income countries (HICs) have more money and usually consume more resources because they can afford to. They are able to import resources cheaply from other countries.
The DRC is a low-income country. 58% of all of the DRC's exports go to China, who purchase raw materials cheaply from the DRC.

Consumption is growing very quickly in NEEs like China, India, Indonesia, and Brazil.
The increasing consumption of energy resources is a particular problem globally because burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, which contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Why is the consumption of resources higher in high income countries than low income countries?
What is happening to consumption in newly emerging economies such as China?
Which of these resource trading relationships is accurate?