Earth's Resources Flashcards
What are some examples of natural and renewable resources?
wool, cotton, wood, natural rubber and cork
What is an example of a synthetic but renewable resource?
paper
What are some examples of natural and finite resources?
clay, rock, metal ores and metals found in their native state
What are some examples of synthetic and finite resources?
petrol, PVC, polystyrene, nylon, most pure metals and ceramics
What does finite mean?
A resource that isn’t replaced at a fast enough rate to be considered replaceable
What does renewable mean?
A resource that can be made at the same or a faster rate than it is being used
What does sustainable development mean?
An approach to development that takes into account the needs of the present society without damaging the lives of people in the future.
What are the three factors that affect the viability of a resource?
Economic - to do with finance
Social - to do with the lives of people
Environmental - to do with the environment
What are the 4 stages of a life cycle assessment and the fifth factor to consider?
Extracting and processing of raw materials, Manufacturing and Packaging, Use, Disposal, and Transport
What are the important things to assess in a lifecycle assessment?
- Water use
- Energy use
- Mass of waste produced
- Effect on global warming
- Effect on pollution of water courses.
