10.1 Earth Resources and Sustainability

Earth's resources are vital for human survival and progress. From renewable sources like solar and wind to non-renewables like fossil fuels, we rely on these for energy, materials, and more. But our consumption patterns raise concerns about sustainability and environmental impacts.

Balancing resource use with conservation is crucial for a sustainable future. This topic explores the types of resources, extraction methods, and strategies for responsible management. It also examines the environmental consequences of consumption and waste, highlighting the need for sustainable practices.

Earth's Resources: Sustainability and Extraction

Assessing Sustainability and Resource Extraction Methods

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• Sustainability maintains the ability to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs
• Earth's resources include renewable resources (solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal) and non-renewable resources (fossil fuels, minerals)
• Resource extraction methods vary by resource type and have different environmental impacts
  • Mining extracts solid minerals and ores from the Earth's crust (coal, metals, gemstones)
  • Drilling involves creating holes in the Earth's surface to access liquid or gaseous resources (oil, natural gas)
  • Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, injects high-pressure fluids into rock formations to extract oil and gas
  • Harvesting collects renewable resources such as timber, crops, and fish
• The rate of resource extraction and consumption determines sustainability
  • Extracting resources faster than they can be replenished leads to resource depletion
  • Sustainable resource management balances economic, social, and environmental considerations for long-term availability and minimal negative impacts
• Life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluates a product or process's environmental impacts throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal

Sustainable Resource Management Strategies

• Sustainable resource management ensures long-term availability and minimizes negative impacts
  • Sets extraction rates to match replenishment rates for renewable resources
  • Encourages efficient use and minimizes waste for non-renewable resources
  • Considers economic, social, and environmental factors in decision-making
• Life cycle assessment (LCA) helps identify opportunities for improving sustainability
  • Analyzes environmental impacts at each stage of a product or process's life cycle
  • Helps identify hotspots for resource consumption, emissions, and waste generation
  • Informs design and management decisions to minimize negative impacts
• Examples of sustainable resource management practices include
  • Sustainable forestry practices that balance timber harvesting with forest regeneration
  • Fishery management plans that set catch limits based on population dynamics
  • Recycling and reuse programs that conserve non-renewable resources like metals and plastics

Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Waste

Consequences of Resource Consumption

• Resource consumption leads to various environmental impacts
  • Air and water pollution from extraction, processing, and use of resources
  • Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss from land-use changes and pollution
  • Climate change from greenhouse gas emissions associated with resource use
• Extraction and processing of resources often require energy, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming
  • Burning fossil fuels for energy releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas
  • Deforestation for timber, agriculture, and mining reduces carbon sequestration and releases stored carbon
• The environmental impact of resource consumption varies by factors such as population size, economic development, and consumer behavior
  • Higher population and economic growth generally increase resource demand and environmental impacts
  • Unsustainable consumption patterns, such as overconsumption and planned obsolescence, exacerbate resource depletion and waste generation

Waste Generation and Management Challenges

• Waste generation is a byproduct of resource consumption and can have significant environmental impacts
  • Soil and water contamination from landfills and improper waste disposal
  • Wildlife harm from plastic pollution and other hazardous waste
  • Visual pollution and land-use conflicts from waste accumulation
• The linear economy model (take-make-dispose) contributes to high levels of waste generation and resource depletion
  • Products are designed for single use and disposal rather than reuse or recycling
  • Encourages a throwaway culture and planned obsolescence
• The circular economy model aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency through reuse, repair, and recycling
  • Designs products for durability, repairability, and recyclability
  • Keeps materials in use for as long as possible through multiple use cycles
• Improper disposal of hazardous waste can have severe environmental and health consequences
  • Electronic waste (e-waste) contains toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium
  • Chemical waste from industrial processes can contaminate soil, water, and air

Strategies for Resource Conservation and Development

Resource Conservation Practices

• Resource conservation uses resources efficiently and minimizes waste to ensure long-term availability and reduce environmental impacts
• Strategies for resource conservation include
  • Reducing consumption through behavior change and product design
  • Reusing products and materials to extend their useful life
  • Recycling materials to reduce demand for virgin resources
  • Recovering energy from waste through processes like incineration and anaerobic digestion
• Examples of resource conservation practices include
  • Water-saving fixtures and appliances in homes and businesses
  • Reusable shopping bags and containers to reduce plastic waste
  • Recycling programs for paper, plastic, glass, and metal
  • Waste-to-energy facilities that generate electricity from municipal solid waste

Sustainable Development Approaches

• Sustainable development balances economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs
• Renewable energy sources can reduce reliance on non-renewable resources and mitigate climate change
  • Solar photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electricity
  • Wind turbines harness wind energy to generate electricity
  • Hydropower captures the energy of flowing water in rivers and streams
• Green building practices reduce the environmental impact of the built environment
  • Energy-efficient materials and appliances reduce energy consumption
  • Passive heating and cooling design strategies minimize the need for mechanical systems
  • Green roofs and walls provide insulation, stormwater management, and habitat
• Sustainable transportation options reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality
  • Public transit systems, like buses and trains, reduce individual vehicle use
  • Cycling infrastructure, such as bike lanes and parking, encourages active transportation
  • Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions and can be powered by renewable energy
• Sustainable land management practices conserve soil, water, and biodiversity while providing food and other resources
  • Agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs with crops and livestock to improve soil health and biodiversity
  • Permaculture designs agricultural systems to mimic natural ecosystems and minimize external inputs

Renewable vs Non-Renewable Resources for Society

Characteristics and Uses of Renewable Resources

• Renewable resources can be replenished naturally over time
  • Solar energy is generated by the sun's radiation and can be harnessed through solar panels
  • Wind energy is created by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface and can be captured by wind turbines
  • Hydropower harnesses the energy of flowing water in rivers and streams through turbines
  • Geothermal energy taps into the Earth's internal heat for electricity generation and heating
• Renewable resources are considered sustainable because they can be used indefinitely without being depleted
• Renewable resources can help meet societal needs while reducing the environmental impact of resource consumption
  • Generate electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions
  • Provide heating and cooling for buildings through solar thermal and geothermal systems
  • Produce biofuels from organic matter to replace fossil fuels in transportation
• Challenges for renewable resources include intermittency, storage, and distribution
  • Solar and wind energy are variable and may not always match energy demand
  • Energy storage technologies, like batteries and pumped hydro, are needed to balance supply and demand
  • Infrastructure for renewable energy distribution, such as smart grids, requires investment and development

Characteristics and Uses of Non-Renewable Resources

• Non-renewable resources are finite and cannot be replenished on a human timescale
  • Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years
  • Minerals, such as copper, iron, and rare earth elements, are extracted from the Earth's crust through mining
• Non-renewable resources are considered unsustainable because they will eventually be exhausted
• Fossil fuels currently provide the majority of the world's energy needs
  • Coal is used for electricity generation and industrial processes like steel production
  • Oil is refined into gasoline, diesel, and other fuels for transportation and petrochemicals
  • Natural gas is used for electricity generation, heating, and cooking
• Minerals are essential for manufacturing various products
  • Copper is used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and electronics
  • Iron is a key component of steel, used in construction, transportation, and machinery
  • Rare earth elements are critical for clean energy technologies, like wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries
• The increasing demand for non-renewable resources can lead to resource depletion and environmental degradation
  • Extraction and processing of fossil fuels and minerals can cause air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions
  • Burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change and air pollution
• A mix of renewable and non-renewable resources is likely necessary to meet societal needs in the short term, while the long-term goal should be to transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.