Natural Resources Flashcards
What is a resource
- Material that is useful.
- When the material is made into a product, the product will also be useful.
- Can fulfill people’s needs and enhance well-being
How does time and technology change a substance into a resource
Technology can change a natural or man-made substance to a resource
Time can add value to resource
How do people identify resources
Culture or technology
What is culture
—Way of life a group of people share
—Impacts how different people view and use different resources
What is technology
—Can influence the ability of people to identify resources
What is a natural resource
- Useful materials found on Earth
- Produced by natural processes occurring in the physical environment
What are renewable resources
Materials that are replenished more or less in the same time period when they are used. Considered to be unlimited
What are non-renewable resources
Materials that may or may not be replenished naturally. If they are replenished, natural processes is occurs very slowly and takes a very long time. Considered limited
how to classify natural resources
- Renewable or non-renewable
if non-renewable:
—resource that consumed when used
—resource that can be exhausted by overuse
if renewable:
—Always available
—Recyclable
How do people view natural resources
World view
Human-centred and nature-centred
What is nature-centred view (Ecocentrism)
Nature is more important
Physical environment such as mountains, rivers, lakes and trees is seen as valuable in itself
Hence should be preserved, maintained and protected in its original state as far as possible
Human impact on physical environment should be minimized or prohibited
What is human-centred view (Egotistical)
Human Gain
For one’s interests and profits
Physical environment is useful as humans can obtain materials that are useful to us
People benefit from the extraction of natural resources from the physical environment
Trade the natural resources for money or make them into useful products
What is human-centred view (Egotistical)
Nature loss
Extraction of natural resources can lead to environmental degration or destruction of environment
If rate of extraction of natural resources is faster than the natural renewal, availability of natural resources is depleted.
Hence, this drives the process of searching for more resources and extracting them
Why is it important that we have a balanced view on the use of natural resources
Sustainable use of natural resources
Balanced view of nature-centred and human-centred view on natural resources so that we can continue to enjoy the natural resources while considering the environmental problems
What is sustainable use of natural resources
actions taken today to ensure that resources present today continue to be present for future generations
Extraction of natural resources is often over short term but the impacts of extraction are long term
People need to be careful about the use of natural resources as well as the environmental degradation that follows with extraction of natural resources
How can renewable resources become non-renewable resources
The rate used exceeds the replacement rate
Consumption is more than replacement
How to use natural resources sustainably?
Reduce, reuse, recycle, recover
Develop technology to manage impact of human activities on environment
What is reduce
reduce or decrease consumption of products
Natural resources are required to manufacture many products. When consumption of products decrease, the usage of natural resources reduce
What is environmental footprint
Concept to understand the impact of human activities on the environment
Effect that a person, organization or an activity has on the environment
Different products and activities have different environmental footprints
Being aware of environmental footprints of different products and activities can help people make informed choices of the consumption of natural reosurces
What is reuse
Find new ways to use things that otherwise would have been thrown out
Reusing a product or material can reduce the amount of natural resources compared to buying a new product
Reuse an item using the same product for its intended purpose or repurposing it into something else
What is recycling
Turning old items into new and useful products
Reduces the natural resources needed to make a new product
Common items recycled are aluminum, glass, metal or plastic
These items are recycled in large quantities of natural resources such as energy and water required to make them
What is recover
Converting waste into resources through thermal and biological means
Recovering reduces the amount of waste we have to dispose
How doe technological development the way we identify and use natural resources
Technological development help us to:
1. Discover new resources
2. Discover new uses of already known resources
3. Increase efficiency of resources being used
4. Better manage our environmental footprint
What is solar energy
In the past, each solar cell could only power small devices like calculators and radios
As technology advanced, solar cells have been more efficient in the conversion of solar energy to electricity
Solar cells have also became increasingly more affordable
Modern solar panels are able to generate enough electricity to power homes and small communities
