topic 7

Question 1

what are natural resources?

Answer 1

natural resources are the raw materials and sources of energy that are used and consumed by societies

Question 2

what are some examples of natural resources?

Answer 2

1. sunlight
2. air
3. water
4. land
5. soil
6. minerals
7. fossil fuels
8. ecosystems

Question 3

what is an example of exploitation of natural resources leading to the abuse of human rights?

Answer 3

Ogoni population of the Niger Delta over the exploitation of oil

Question 4

what is natural capital?

Answer 4

natural capital is the stock of natural resources available on earth

Question 5

natural income relates to..?

Answer 5

natural income relates to the products and services that are then used by consumers

Question 6

what is a renewable resource?

Answer 6

a renewable resource is a natural resource that the environment continues to supply or replace as it is used and whose emissions and waste are recycled in a sustainable way

Question 7

example of ecocentric approach in terms of natural resources

Answer 7

indigenous people, such as the Dobe !Kung in Southern Africa, use resources as hunter gatherers who take only what they need as any over-exploitation would ultimately lead to their demise

Question 8

example of technocentric view in relation to natural resources

Answer 8

resources are there to be used by societies and that if shortages occur, society (or individuals) would produce new ideas to make more resources or new resources. An example of this view can be seen through the Green Revolution in farming and the use of GM crops

Question 9

example of anthropocentric view in relation to natural resources

Answer 9

suggests that nature can be exploited for the benefit of society

Question 10

the income from natural capital from ecosystems may come from…

Answer 10

• goods in the form of marketable commodities such as timber and grain
• services such as flood and erosion protection, climate stabilisation and maintenance of soil fertility

Question 11

what are the benefits of having a complete vegetation cover

Answer 11

the impact of raindrops on soils is reduced and there is an increase of infiltration

Question 12

what are the benefits of reedbeds (an area of water or marshland dominated by reeds)

Answer 12

reedbeds can help with pollution mitigation. an example of this was observed when a new reedbed was created in a redundant part of the River Cole, UK

Question 13

what is carbon sequestration

Answer 13

the process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it. it can occur biologically or geologically

Question 14

what are provisioning services?

Answer 14

services that allow people to obtain goods such as food, fibre, and fuel from forests and cultivated lands, and water from aquifiers, rivers, and lakes.

Question 15

what are cultural services?

Answer 15

the non-material, intangible benefits humans receive from ecosystems that enrich quality of life, including spiritual, recreational, aesthetic, and educational experiences. EX: open spaces such as gardens, parks, rivers, forests, lakes, the seashore and wilderness,

Question 16

what is an example of an ultimate renewable energy source

Answer 16

the sun is the ultimate renewable energy source for most living organisms on Earth

Question 17

examples of renewable resources

Answer 17

• solar
• tidal
• hydroelectric power (HEP)
• wind
• wood
• geothermal
• biomass

Question 18

non-renewable resources examples

Answer 18

• nuclear power
• fossil fuels
  
  • coal
  • natural gas
  • peat

Question 19

what are the values of natural capital?

Answer 19

1. aesthetic value
   - appreciation of a landscape for its visual attractiveness (waterfall)
2. cultural value
   - some natural features have an important cultural significance for a population (mount fuji, japan)
3. economic value
   - determined from the market price of the goods and services provided by a resource (wood produced)
4. environmental value
   - essential processes for human existence but none of them have direct monetary value (photosynthesis)
5. health values
   - health benefits that come from people’s interactions with natural capital (activities such as hiking)
6. intrinsic value
   - the inherent worth of nature, species, or ecosystem separate from its benefit to humans (foxes in deciduous forest)
7. social values
   - refer to the well-being of individuals and communities, including health aspects and state of the environment (urban areas that are heavily polluted reduce the well-being of those living there)
8. spiritual values
   - many environments have spiritual values for people (the himalayas)
9. technological values
   - inspiration and utilisation of natural capital in technological advancements and innovations (biomimicry-Airplanes: Early designs and wing structures mimicked bird anatomy for better flight)

Question 20

the value of natural capital is…

Answer 20

dynamic because the value can change regionally and over time (ex: coal, uranium, lithium)

Question 21

what is food security?

Answer 21

food security refers to having sufficient quantity of good quality food so that people can remain healthy and productive

Question 22

what are the factors that affect a society’s choice in using given natural resources?

Answer 22

1. economic
2. sociocultural
3. political
4. environmental
5. geographical
6. technological
7. historical

Question 23

what makes renewable energy sources sustainable?

Answer 23

they do not deplete natural resources

Question 24

fossil fuels

Answer 24

Fossil fuels are natural, non-renewable resources formed over millions of years from decomposed plants and animals. From the industrial revolution onward, transport and energy generation have been founded on fossil fuel technology

Question 25

why is gas (natural, non-renewable) preferred over other energy sources?

Answer 25

gas is cheap, relatively plentiful, can be burned directly, and we already have the technology to access the gas and burn it

Question 26

what are the reasons for global and local changes in energy production and consumption?

Answer 26

1. sustainability of energy sources 2. increasing proportion of middle-income households with increased demand for energy 3. competition between economic sectors 4. impacts of global climate change 5. geopolitical conflict between two or more countries

Question 27

what are some examples of local changes in energy consumption

Answer 27

in ageing societies, many households will downsize, leading to less energy usage. additionally, many older people may want to cut back on energy usage due to reduced incomes once they retire

Question 28

what are some factors that affect the energy choices of a country

Answer 28

1. availability and reliability of supply - certain climates allow for the use of certain types of energy sources such as solar or wind 2. sustainability of supply 3. pollution - some energy sources cause more pollution than others 4. energy efficiency - energy efficiency refers to how well energy is used and conserved 5. economic factors - cost of production, distribution, and use mean that some types of energy are too expensive for many countries 6.energy security issues - Energy security refers to a country’s ability to meet its energy needs reliably and without being overly dependent on foreign sources

Question 29

pros and cons of wind energy

Answer 29

pros: 1. abundant energy source 2. no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants produced during operation 3. can be small or large scale 4. land beneath turbines can often still be used for farming or other purposes cons: 1. non-constant energy source 2. visual and noise pollution 3. initial high capital investment 4. potential impact on wildlife (birds flying into turbine) 5. require large areas of land

Question 30

pros and cons of solar energy

Answer 30

pros: 1. abundant energy source 2. no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants produced during operation 3. can be integrated into existing infrastructure 4. progressively becoming less expensive and more efficient 5. energy can be generated in remote places where they dont have electricity cons: 1. non-constant 2. intial high capital investment 3. requires significant land area 4. energy storage solutions needed for night-time or cloudy days 5. potential environmental impact during manufacturing and disposal of panels

Question 31

pros and cons of tidal energy

Answer 31

pros: 1. abundant energy source 2. no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants produced during operation 3. predictable and reliable due to regular tidal patterns 4. long lifespan of tidal turbines with minimal maintenance cons: 1. high initial costs 2. limited availability of suitable sites 3. potential environmental impact on marine ecosystems and fish migration 4. maintenance challenges and costs due to underwater installations 5. possible interference with shipping lanes and navigation

Question 32

pros and cons of biomass (wood)

Answer 32

pros: 1. renewable and carbon neutral if managed sustainably 2. readily available in many regions, especially rural areas cons: 1. carbon dioxide and air pollution from combustion emissions 2. deforestation risk and habitat loss if not sustainably managed 3. impact on indoor air quality if not properly ventilated

Question 33

pros and cons of geothermal energy

Answer 33

pros: 1. sustainable 2. reliable and stable at all times 3. small land footprint compared to other renewable sources 4. long lifespan of geothermal plants with low operating costs cons: 1. site-specific; limited to regions with near-surface geothermal activity 2. high initial drilling and exploration costs 3. can result in the release of greenhouse gases from underground 4. geological risks such as earthquakes or ground subsidence

Question 34

pros and cons of hydropower

Answer 34

pros: 1. reliable and predictable 2. low greenhouse gas emissions during operation 3. multi-purpose benefits, including flood control and irrigation 4. long lifespan of hydroelectric plants with low operating costs 5. can respond to demand quickly, generating large scale amounts of electricity in a short period of time cons: 1. disruption of river ecosystems and fish migration routes 2. high initial capital costs for dam construction and infrastructure 3. floods habitats and can require relocation of human communities 4. climate change impacts on water availability is affecting reservoir levels, making them less reliable

Question 35

pros and cons of fossil fuels (Coal, Crude oil, which is refined into petrol, diesel and other fuels, Natural gas)

Answer 35

pros: 1. Reliable, large-scale energy supply 2. high energy density 3. readily available (currently) cons: 1. non-renewable (form over millions of years) 2. finite supply → rising and unstable prices 3. will run out (~200 years) 4. air pollution 5. environmental damage (e.g. oil spills) 6. supply affected by political conflict

Question 36

pros and cons of nuclear energy

Answer 36

pros: 1. very low atmospheric emissions 2. reliable large-scale electricity 3. small amounts of uranium are needed, and large reserves are available 4. improves energy security cons: 1. non-renewable 2. radioactive waste (long-term storage) 3. high storage and decommissioning costs 4. severe impacts if accidents occur

Question 37

what is domestic waste?

Answer 37

domestic, or household waste, includes any waste materials from day-to-day activities in the home. EX: organic waste, recyclable waste, toxic waste, animal waste

Question 38

what is industrial waste?

Answer 38

industrial waste includes all waste produced by industrial activities. EX: scrap metals, chemicals, concrete, textiles.

Question 39

what is agricultural waste?

Answer 39

agricultural waste refers to any substance or object that is generated by farming activities but is not used for food. EX: crop residues, animal waste, old machinery

Question 40

what is electronic waste?

Answer 40

electronic waste (e-waste) refers to all items with electronic components. EX: tvs, computers, cell phones, household appliances

Question 41

what is food waste?

Answer 41

food waste refers to any food that isnt consumed by humans or animals that is not composted or recycled

Question 42

what is biohazardous waste?

Answer 42

biohazardous waste includes biological substances that threaten human or animal health. EX: body parts, carcasses, bedding infected with microorganisms, used needles

Question 43

pollution occurs when...?

Answer 43

pollution occurs when harmful substances are added to an environment at a rate faster than they are transformed into harmless substances

Question 44

what are some preventative strategies for managing waste?

Answer 44

1. altering human activity (reducing consumption rates) 2. controlling release of pollutants (government intervention) 3. reclaiming landfills

Question 45

what are the pros and cons of landfills?

Answer 45

pros: 1. cheap cons: 1. space will eventually run out 2. living near landfill sites increases the risk of health problems 3. can emit polluting gases which could contaminate water supplies

Question 46

what are the pros and cons of incineration?

Answer 46

pros: 1. the heat generated through incineration can be used to generate electricity 2. can reduce the volume of the original waste by 80-90% 3. safe disposal of clinical and hazardous waste cons: 1. air pollution (can lead to acid rain, smog, and lung disease) 2. the volume of traffic generated is increased due to the need to get the waste to the incinerators 3. the ash that is produced is often toxic and still needs to be disposed of in a landfill 4. building incinerators is very expensive