Topic 7 - Natural Resources

What is a natural resource?

A material from the environment used by humans.

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

Renewable = replenished; non-renewable = finite.

What is a replenishable resource?

Resource that can recover if managed properly.

Give two examples of renewable resources.

Forests, freshwater.

Give two examples of non-renewable resources.

Fossil fuels, minerals.

What is sustainable yield?

Maximum rate a resource can be used without depletion.

What happens if sustainable yield is exceeded?

Resource becomes depleted.

What is maximum sustainable yield (MSY)?

Largest yield that can be taken without long-term decline.

What factors influence the availability of natural resources?

Geography, technology, economics.

How does technology affect resource availability?

Improves access and extraction.

How does economic development affect resource use?

Higher development = higher consumption.

What is resource management?

Managing resources sustainably.

What is conservation?

Protecting resources while allowing use.

What is preservation?

Protecting resources from use.

What is the difference between conservation and preservation?

Conservation = use sustainably; preservation = no use.

What is the tragedy of the commons?

Shared resources overused due to lack of ownership.

Give one example of a common resource.

Fisheries, atmosphere.

How can overexploitation occur?

Excessive extraction/use.

What is carrying capacity in relation to resource use?

Maximum sustainable population/use level.

What are two strategies for sustainable resource management?

Regulation, protected areas.

What is an energy resource?

A source of energy used by humans.

Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

Renewable = replenished; non-renewable = finite.

Give two examples of renewable energy.

Solar, wind.

Give two examples of non-renewable energy.

Coal, oil.

What are fossil fuels?

Energy from ancient organic matter.

Why are fossil fuels unsustainable?

Finite and polluting.

What is energy security?

Reliable access to energy.

What factors influence a country's energy choices?

Cost, availability, technology.

What is energy efficiency?

Using less energy for same output.

How can energy efficiency reduce environmental impact?

Reduces emissions and waste.

What is the main environmental impact of fossil fuel use?

Air pollution and greenhouse gases.

How do fossil fuels contribute to climate change?

Releases CO₂ → warming.

What is a carbon footprint?

Total emissions from activities.

Why is renewable energy considered sustainable?

Low emissions and renewable supply.

What is one limitation of renewable energy?

Intermittency or high cost.

What is energy conservation?

Reducing energy use.

What is energy management?

Managing energy sustainably.

Give one example of a strategy to reduce energy consumption.

Using public transport.

How does economic development affect energy consumption?

Higher development = higher demand.

Why is transitioning to renewable energy challenging?

Cost, infrastructure, policy barriers.

What is solid waste?

Discarded solid materials.

What are the main sources of solid waste?

Households, industry, agriculture.

What is municipal solid waste?

Waste from homes and cities.

What is hazardous waste?

Waste harmful to health/environment.

What is biodegradable waste?

Can be decomposed by organisms.

What is non-biodegradable waste?

Cannot be decomposed easily.

What is waste management?

Handling and processing waste.

What is the waste hierarchy?

Framework to manage waste sustainably.

List the stages of the waste hierarchy.

Reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose.

What is reduction (in waste management)?

Minimizing waste production.

What is reuse?

Using items again.

What is recycling?

Processing materials into new products.

What is recovery?

Extracting energy/materials.

What is disposal?

Final disposal.

What is landfill?

Waste buried in land.

What are two environmental impacts of landfill?

Pollution, methane emissions.

What is incineration?

Burning waste.

What is one advantage of incineration?

Reduces volume.

What is one disadvantage of incineration?

Air pollution.

How does solid waste contribute to pollution?

Releases toxins into environment.

What is e-waste?

Electronic waste.

Why is e-waste problematic?

Contains toxic materials.

What is composting?

Decomposition of organic waste.

How does composting benefit the environment?

Produces nutrient-rich soil.

What are two strategies to reduce solid waste?

Recycling, reducing consumption.