Lecture 5/01/2017 Flashcards
Is nuclear energy renewable?
No, but it’s considered clean energy.
What are the two most important variables which will allow the world to become more sustainable?
- slowing population growth; and
2. limiting our consumption of non-renewables.
Are fossil fuels biotic or abiotic resources?
fossil fuels are biotic resources because they are formed from something living.
What are the 4 different categories of natural resources?
- abiotic
- biotic
- localized
- ubiquitous
At what point is consumption considered unsustainable?
Consumption is considered unsustainable if the demand on resources depletes them to an extent that future generations will have a lower quality of life.
IPAT
- IPAT (Impact = population x affluence x technology)
- different states may focus on different parts of the IPAT equation
What is the biggest variable that can be controlled for with regard to overpopulation?
education (e.g., Gates Foundation)
What does the depletion of natural resources most tightly correlate with?
overpopulation
What is substitution?
When you substitute a product for one that is less impactful to the environment (e.g., Normal paint subbed with low VOC paint).
Provide examples of renewable natural resources:
- direct solar energy
- winds, tides, flowing water
- fertile soil
- clean air
- fresh water
- biological diversity (e.g., forests, food crops, fishes)
Provide examples of non-renewable resources:
- metallic minerals (i.e., precious metals - gold, silver, platinum)
- non-metallic minerals (salts, phosphates, stone)
- fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas)
Renewable resources
- naturally replenished
- can be used forever if they are not overexploited.
- the rate of replenishment exceeds the rate of consumption
- e.g., trees, fish, fresh water, solar energy, fertile soil
The economic growth and development in the U.S., Canada, and other highly developed countries came about through the _____________________.
exploitation of natural resources.
Non renewable resources
- present in limited supplies
- depleted by use.
- not naturally replenished within a reasonable periods
- e.g, minerals such as aluminum and uranium, and fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.
ubiquitous resources vs. ____________
localized resources
Why are fossil fuels considered biotic?
Fossil fuels are also considered biotic because they are formed from decayed organic matter.
What are biotic resources?
Obtained from the biosphere (living and organic material). Examples include forests, animals.
What are abiotic resources?
Obtained from non-living, non-organic material. Examples include land, fresh water, air, heavy metals.
What are the 4 accessibility/availability classifications?
- Actual - Are being used at present time. Have been surveyed and their quantity and quality determined. For example, wood processing
- Reserve - Part of an actual resource that is intended to be developed profitably in the future
- Potential - Exist and may be used in the future. For example, petroleum in sedimentary rocks
- Stock - Have been surveyed but cannot be used due to a lack of technology. For example, hydrogen
Define Consumption
The human use of materials and energy.
sustainable development
Sustainable development is development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future to meet its needs.
What are some existing and emerging threats to our resources?
- Globalization, trade, and development
- Coping with climate change and variability
- Growth of megacities
- Human vulnerability to climate change
- Freshwater depletion and degradation
- Marine and coastal degradation
- Population growth
- Rising consumption in developing countries
- Biodiversity depletion
- Biosecurity
IPAT
- Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology
- Impact can be expressed as resource depletion and waste accumulation
- Population refers to the human population
- Affluence refers to the level of consumption – more $$ = more consumption of goods
- Technology refers to the processes for extraction of resources and manufacturing into goods
How can different types of countries focus on different components of the IPAT equation?
- Affluent countries can focus on reducing their consumption.
- Developing countries can focus on reducing their population through education and provision of resources.
The variable of the IPAT equation are always changing. Provide an example of increasing and decreasing variables that produce a counterintuitive result.
- increasing number of cars on the road but improvement in gas mileage
How many earths would be required for the current population to live at the quality of life in America (Rees, 2006)?
4 earts
Of all raw materials used in manufacturing processes, __% end up as waste.
94
Provide suggestions for reducing the extracted concentrations of substances from the Earth’s crust:
- Substances that are scarce should be substituted with those that are abundant
- Materials should be used efficiently and recycled
- Dependence on fossil fuels should be systematically reduced
Provide suggestions for reducing the build-up of concentrations of human-made compounds in nature.
- Persistent and unnatural compounds should be replaced with those that are normally abundant or break down completely and easily.
- Substances produced by society should be used efficiently.
Provide suggestions for slowing or reducing the rate at which renewable resources are drawn from the natural environment and reducing the associated negative impacts.
- Draw resources only from well managed ecosystems
- Pursue the most productive and sustainable uses of resources and land
- Exercise caution in modification of nature
With regard to resources usage, how do we ensure that the needs of all people, including those not born yet, stand the best chance of being met in the future?
Use resources efficiently, effectively, fairly and responsibly.
