2.1

Question 1

Renewable resources

Answer 1

A resource that can be replaced (or replenished) over time at the same rate that they are used, or does not abate at all

Question 2

What sources of energy are considered renewable resources? (7)

Answer 2

Solar, wind, wave, hydro, tidal, thermal, biomass

Question 3

What are non-renewable resources?

Answer 3

Resources that does not renew (replenish) itself at a suffice to rate for sustainable economic extraction

Question 4

What sources of energy are considered nonrenewable?

Answer 4

coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear, oil, timber

Question 5

What are the exceptions for reserves?

Answer 5

In some cases reserves may exist but it is not economically viable to extract them or the technology does not exist yet

Question 6

What is the availability of non-renewable resources and what is its relation to the frequency at which designers use them?

Answer 6

There is a finite amount of non-renewable resources, yet there is a high human dependency on them

Question 7

What are reserves?

Answer 7

A natural resource that has been identified in terms of quantity and quality and can be economically and technically extracted

Question 8

What is the impact of the extraction of resources on local populations?

Answer 8

1.Increase in wage gaps (companies that are paid to develop a resource in a country can bring wealth and employment opportunities - but it would increase wage gaps because most wealth from extraction leaves the country)

2.Mining for rare earth minerals generates large volumes of toxic and radioactive material

Question 8

What are examples of reserves? (5)

Answer 8

Deepwater drilling for oil
Extraction of gold
Lithium
Fracking
Oilsands

Question 9

What is the economic/ political importance of reserves? (5)

Answer 9

1.Setup costs (typically high + require funding support from multinationals)

2.Efficiency of conversion/ sustainable and constant supply (needs to be economically + technologically feasible to extract)

3.Social impact (bringing employment)

4.Environmental impact (toxic fumes)

5.Decommissioning (the plan for when the resource is depleted - how will the infrastructure, communities and natural environment be protected)

Question 10

Renewability

Answer 10

The degree to which a resource is renewable