What you’ll learn11 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 objective