Topic 7 Natural Resources

At the end of this subtopic 7.1 you should understand:

• Natural resources are the raw materials and sources of energy used and consumed by society. (7.1.1)

• Natural capital provides natural income in terms of goods and services. (7.1.3)

• All resources are finite. Resources can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable. (7.1.6)

• Ecosystems provide life-supporting ecosystem services. (7.1.5)

• Natural capital is the stock of natural resources available on Earth. (7.1.2)

• The terms 'natural capital' and 'natural income' imply a particular perspective on nature. (7.1.4)

• Natural capital has aesthetic, cultural, economic, environmental, health, intrinsic, social, spiritual, and technological value. The value of natural capital is influenced by these factors. (7.1.7)

• The value of natural capital is dynamic in that it can change over time. (7.1.8)

• The choices a society makes in using given natural resources are affected by many factors and reflect diverse perspectives. (7.1.11)

• Natural capital provides natural income in terms of goods and services. (7.1.3)

• All resources are finite. Resources can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable. (7.1.6)

• The use of natural capital needs to be managed in order to ensure sustainability. (7.1.9)

• Resource security depends on the ability of societies to ensure the long-term availability of sufficient natural resources to meet demand. (7.1.10)

At the end of this subtopic 7.2 you should understand:

• Energy resources are both renewable and non-renewable. (7.2.1)

• Global energy consumption is rising with increasing population and with per capita demand. (7.2.2)

• Energy conservation and energy efficiency may allow a country to be less dependent on importing a resource. (7.2.6)

• A variety of factors will affect the energy choices that a country makes. (7.2.4)

• The sustainability of energy sources varies significantly. (7.2.3)

• Intermittent energy production from some renewable resources creates the need for energy storage systems. (7.2.5)

At the end of this subtopic 7.3 you should understand:

• Use of natural resources generates waste that can be classified by source or type. (7.3.1)

• Solid domestic waste (SDW) typically has diverse content. (7.3.2)

• The volume and composition of waste varies over time and between societies due to socioeconomic, political, environmental, and technological factors. (7.3.3)

• The production, treatment and management of waste has environmental and social impacts, which may be experienced in a different location from where the waste was generated. (7.3.4)

• Ecosystems can absorb some waste, but pollution occurs when harmful substances are added to an environment at a rate faster than they are transformed into harmless substances. (7.3.5)

• Preventative strategies for waste management are more sustainable than restorative strategies. (7.3.6)

• Different waste disposal options have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of their impact on societies and ecosystems. (7.3.7)

• Sustainable options for management of SDW can be promoted in societies. (7.3.8)

• The principles of a circular economy provide a holistic perspective on sustainable waste management. (7.3.9)