Consuming Resources Flashcards
Define natural resources.
Resources that are parts of our environment.
What is a resource?
Something that can be used to meet a human need
Define human resources.
Resources that are parts of our population (made or provided by humans) such as technology.
Outline the relationship between ecological footprint and human development index.
As human development index increases, ecological footprint increases.
What 3 things should we focus on towards being more sustainably developed?
Education
Conservation
Recycling
What is an ecological footprint?
The impact or effect one has on the environment.
Summarise the Boserupian theory.
We will invent technology when there is a need for more food.
‘Necessity is the mother of invention’
Summarise the Malthusian theory.
Food will grow arithmatically (linear). When we do not have enough food due to high populations there will be problems (famine, war, disease etc.) leading to deaths and a decrease in population.
Why is there a high demand for cars in America?
Poorly developed public transport
Low density settlements
Cheap petrol prices
Large country
Summarise the Neo-Malthusian theory.
People are hungry because…
Unequal food distribution
Land in developing countries used to grow food for export
Too large population
What advancements in technology are being made in regards to food production?
Fertiliser
Irrigation
Livestock
What 3 types of natural resources are there?
Recyclable - can be altered deliberately to be sustainable e.g. wood
Renewable - renew themselves indefinitely and offer continuous flows of supply e.g. solar
Non-renewable - cannot be remade, in a fixed/finite amount that is gradually being used up e.g. oil
What are alternative energy resources?
Energy resources that provide an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) - often environmentally friendly.
Explain 3 benefits and costs of Tar-sand oil.
Benefits - profits, reduce dependence on middle east, avoid costs of fuels like hydrogen, 300 billion barrels available
Costs - 3 times C02 produced, uses lots of water, pollution of rivers, only 5 years supply, forests need to be removed to scrape it
Explain 3 benefits and costs of Biofuels.
Benefits - C02 absorbed when grown, can be grown in different environments, no need for costly changes to vehicle designs
Costs - C02 released when used, needs enormous amounts of land, reduces biodiversity as grown in mono-cultures
