Topic 1: What are resources

Question 1

What is the most general definition of a resource?

Answer 1

Any physical or virtual entity or service that we use as individuals, groups, and societies to help satisfy our needs (for existence) or wants (for a more pleasurable existence)

Question 2

What are some of the values of resources?

Answer 2

• economic value
• aesthetic value
• legal value
• ethical value
• informational value

Question 3

What are 3 main features of resources?

Answer 3

1. Utility (can be used, has a purpose)
2. quantity (Availability, is available in sufficient amounts for us to use)
3. Producibility (can be turned into a product, and thus value is added to it)

Question 4

How can the value we place on resources change?

Answer 4

1. by spatial variability - different places, cultures, economies have different wants or needs, and thus place value on different materials or services
2. by temporal variability - needs and wants can change over time, as we have an increasing material standard of living.

Question 5

what is a process resource?

Answer 5

• tangible systems such as manufacturing plants, factories, etc.
• intangible things such as brands, images, identity

Question 6

What is a human resource?

Answer 6

• skills, energies, talents

Question 7

what is a natural resource?

Answer 7

• services or materials derived from our environment, used to satisfy our needs and wants as individuals, populations, societies, and economies.

Question 8

Natural resources can be classified according to ….

Answer 8

• ORIGIN (biotic and abiotic)
• DEVELOPMENT (potential and actual)
• RENEWABILITY (renewable and non-renewable)

Question 9

What is a biotic resource? abiotic?

Answer 9

• biotic (if derived from plants and animals)
• or abiotic ( anything inorganic and nonliving from geosphere and atmosphere)

Question 10

What is potential development of a natural resource? actual development of a natural resource?

Answer 10

Potential: a natural resource not currently being exploited

Actual: a known, quantified, and exploited natural resource

Question 11

What is a renewable natural resource? non-renewable natural resource?

Answer 11

Renewable: natural resources that are replenished faster than, or at the same pace as, the rate of consumption

Non-Renewable: Are replenished slower than the rate of consumption