2.1: Resources and reserves

resources

the stock or supply of materials that are available in a given context

renewable resources

a natural resource that can replenish with the passage of time or does not abate at all

• A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate almost the same as its rate of consumption by humans or other users.

replenish definition

can be used and then naturally restored to its previous state or quantity without depleting the overall supply permanently

what renewable resource requires careful management?

• plantation of timber

what renewable resources are inexhaustable?

• wind

• solar

• hydro

• wave

• tidal

• thermal

renewability

a resource that is inexhaustible therefore can be replenished quick enough.

e.g hardwood trees (such as many rainforest species) take a fair bit of time to mature to a point where is is useable as a resource, therefore, it is considered non-renewable. On the other hand, softwoods (such as pines or conifers) mature more quickly and are considered a renewable resource.

• fresh drinking water

non-renewable resources

A natural resource that does not replenish at a sustainable rate; a source that will run out if the rate of extraction is maintained.

examples of non-renewable resources

fossil fuels

• oil

• natural gas

• coal

• nuclear energy

benefits and disadvantages of non-renewable resources

benefits:

• useful sources of energy- needed to manufacture products and provide power to businesses, factories and homes.

disadvantages:

• resources are running out and the human dependency on them is very high.

reserves

A natural resource that has been identified in terms of quantity and quality

• A proven reserve are those resources that can be economically and technically extracted.

what is an example of reserves that exist but aren’t viable?

gold in seawater

Economic and political issues of extracting oil/ materials from reserves

• Governments need to balance the economic benefits and political impact (including social aspects) of resource extraction.

• Often, multinational companies licensed to extract resources have limited consideration for the local population.

• The economic and political importance of material and land resources and reserves considering…

• The economic and political importance of material and land resources and reserves considering…

• set-up cost – typically are high and perhaps national/local governments cannot afford to set-up the infrastructure and the extraction site so outside multi-nationals could be invited.

• efficiency of conversion – 

• sustainable and constant supply – 

• social impact – can bring jobs (skilled and unskilled) and wealth, employment could be permanent or temporary (short term excavation/extraction),

• environmental impact – as mentioned above

• decommissioning – economically quite expensive especially with  nuclear reactors