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Topic 7: Natural resources

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  1. 7.1 Natural resources—uses and management

    1. 7.1.1Natural resources definition

      • Raw materials and energy sources used by society • Sunlight, air, water, land, rocks, ecosystems, living things

    2. 7.1.2Natural capital

      • Stock of natural resources on Earth

    3. 7.1.3Natural income

      • Goods: fish, timber • Services: climate regulation, flood prevention

    4. 7.1.4"Natural capital" perspective

      • Terms imply particular perspective on nature • Model for sustainable resource use

    5. 7.1.5Ecosystem services

      • Life-supporting services • Water replenishment, flood/erosion protection • Pollution mitigation, carbon sequestration

    6. 7.1.6Resource classification

      • All resources finite • Renewable: regenerated as fast as used • Non-renewable: cannot be regenerated • Renewable becomes non-renewable if used beyond regeneration rate

    7. 7.1.7Natural capital value types

      • Aesthetic, cultural, economic, environmental • Health, intrinsic, social, spiritual, technological

    8. 7.1.8Dynamic 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, cork

    9. 7.1.9Sustainable 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 products

    10. 7.1.10Resource 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 water

    11. 7.1.11Resource-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 resource

  2. 7.2 Energy sources—uses and management

    1. 7.2.1Energy source types

      • Renewable: wind, solar, tidal, wood, geothermal, hydropower • Non-renewable: nuclear, fossil fuels

    2. 7.2.2Global energy consumption rising

      • Population increase, per capita demand • Fossil fuels dominate, renewables increasing

    3. 7.2.3Energy source sustainability

      • Varies significantly • Both types have environmental costs

    4. 7.2.4Country energy choices

      • Factors: sustainability, cost, pollution, efficiency, availability, security

    5. 7.2.5Intermittent energy production

      • Some renewables require energy storage • Solutions: batteries, pumped hydroelectricity, fuel cells, thermal storage

    6. 7.2.6Energy conservation and efficiency

      • Reduce dependence on imports • Behavioural changes, efficient technologies

  3. 7.3 Solid waste

    1. 7.3.1Waste classification

      • Source: domestic, industrial, agricultural • Type: e-waste, food, biohazardous materials

    2. 7.3.2Solid domestic waste (SDW)

      • Diverse content: paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics • Organic matter, packaging, construction debris, clothing

    3. 7.3.3Waste variation

      • Over time and between societies • Due to socio-economic, political, environmental, technological factors

    4. 7.3.4Waste impacts

      • Environmental and social • May occur in different location from generation • Environmental injustice: high to low-income countries

    5. 7.3.5Ecosystem waste absorption

      • Can absorb some waste • Pollution: harmful substances added faster than transformed

    6. 7.3.6Preventative vs. restorative strategies

      • Preventative more sustainable • Preventative: alter behaviour, control release • Restorative: clean-up and restoration

    7. 7.3.7Waste disposal options

      • Landfill, incineration, waste-to-energy • Exporting waste, recycling, composting • Each has advantages and disadvantages

    8. 7.3.8Promoting sustainable SDW management

      • Taxes, incentives, social policies, legislation • Education, campaigns, improved disposal access

    9. 7.3.9Circular economy and waste

      • Holistic perspective on sustainable waste management • From manufacture to product recovery