What you’ll learn21 learning objectivesChoose one objective for a focused lesson, or study the complete topic.7.1.1Natural resources definition• Raw materials and energy sources used by society• Sunlight, air, water, land, rocks, ecosystems, living thingsSyllabus objective7.1.2Natural capital• Stock of natural resources on EarthSyllabus objective7.1.3Natural income• Goods: fish, timber• Services: climate regulation, flood preventionSyllabus objective7.1.4"Natural capital" perspective• Terms imply particular perspective on nature• Model for sustainable resource useSyllabus objective7.1.5Ecosystem services• Life-supporting services• Water replenishment, flood/erosion protection• Pollution mitigation, carbon sequestrationSyllabus objective7.1.6Resource classification• All resources finite• Renewable: regenerated as fast as used• Non-renewable: cannot be regenerated• Renewable becomes non-renewable if used beyond regeneration rateSyllabus objective7.1.7Natural capital value types• Aesthetic, cultural, economic, environmental• Health, intrinsic, social, spiritual, technologicalSyllabus objective7.1.8Dynamic natural capital value• The value of natural capital is dynamic in that it can change over time• Include: a variety of reasons for both increases and decreases in value, along with two named examples of change over time• Consider, e.g., coal, lithium, cobalt, whale oil, corkSyllabus objective7.1.9Sustainable natural capital use• The use of natural capital needs to be managed in order to ensure sustainability• The long-term well-being of ecosystems and humans depends on resources not being used more rapidly than they can be regenerated• Include: examples to illustrate how ecosystems and societies could be harmed by excessive harvesting of resources and by the release of polluting waste productsSyllabus objective7.1.10Resource security• Resource security depends on the ability of societies to ensure the long-term availability of sufficient natural resources to meet demand• Consider: the extent to which resource security in two contrasting named societies has been achieved for food or waterSyllabus objective7.1.11Resource-use choices• The choices a society makes in using given natural resources are affected by many factors and reflect diverse perspectives• Factors affecting such choices may include economic, sociocultural, political, environmental, geographical, technological and historical factors• International agreements cutting GHG emissions with the aim of achieving net zero emissions changes the priority of these choices• Consider: factors affecting the local choice of a named natural resourceSyllabus objective7.1.12(HL)—Natural capital management strategies• A range of different management and intervention strategies can be used to directly influence society’s use of natural capital• Government management could include national action plans for SDGs• Government intervention could include strategies to reduce or stop the use of certain natural capital goods and services such as taxes, fines and legislation• For example, increasing the price of fossil fuels and carbon emission restrictionsSyllabus objective7.1.13(HL)—SDGs and resource management• The SDGs provide a framework for action by all countries in global partnership for natural resources use and managementSyllabus objective7.1.14(HL)—Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)• Addresses sustainable resource management in development projects• Surveys, audits, continued monitoringSyllabus objective7.1.15(HL)—EIA guidance variation• Different by country and region• Baseline studies predict impacts, suggest mitigationSyllabus objective7.1.16(HL)—Public EIAs• Allow citizens as stakeholders in decision-makingSyllabus objective7.1.17(HL)—Renewable resource extraction• Resource may be renewable• Extraction/harvesting/transport/processing may be unsustainableSyllabus objective7.1.18(HL)—Short-term economic interests• Favour short-term responses• Undermine long-term sustainability• Example: resource depletionSyllabus objective7.1.19(HL)—Resource insecurity impacts• Hinders socio-economic development• Environmental degradation, geopolitical tensions/conflicts• Examples: oil (OPEC), minerals (lithium, cobalt, rare earth)Syllabus objective7.1.20(HL)—Resource security strategies• Reduce demand, increase supply, change technologiesSyllabus objective7.1.21(HL)—Economic globalization• Increases supply, increases interdependence• May reduce national resource securitySyllabus objective
EduNinja