7.1 Natural Resources Uses & Management (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL): Flashcards

An example of a good is fish harvested from oceans, and an example of a service is climate regulation by forests.

Viewing nature as natural capital highlights its economic value and encourages investment in preservation.

False.

Non-renewable resources cannot be sustainably managed and therefore cannot produce sustainable natural income.

An anthropocentric view risks over-exploitation and degradation of natural resources because it regards nature as existing solely for human use.

Some argue that focusing only on the economic value of nature ignores its intrinsic value.

Natural capital can be compared to money in a bank, and natural income is like the interest gained when the capital is carefully managed.

Natural capital is the stock of natural resources (such as forests, soils, water, and biodiversity) that provides valuable goods and services to human societies.

Natural capital provides natural income in the form of goods (like timber and crops) and services.

Goods are tangible products such as timber and crops, while services are benefits provided by ecosystems, like water purification or climate regulation.

Aesthetic value refers to the beauty, visual appeal and enjoyment people gain from natural landscapes and biodiversity.

Natural capital can have aesthetic, economic, and spiritual value, among others.

The value of natural capital to human societies may be aesthetic, cultural, economic, environmental, health, intrinsic, social, spiritual, or technological.

Preserving and sustainably managing natural capital is important to maintain its diverse values for the benefit of both present and future generations.

The diverse range of values associated with natural capital highlights the importance of preserving and sustainably managing these resources.

False.

The value of natural capital is dynamic and can change regionally and over time due to various factors.

The dynamic nature of natural capital refers to the fact that its value can change regionally and over time due to cultural, social, economic, environmental, technological and political factors.

Cultural factors and economic factors can influence the value of natural capital.

Technological advancements can make some resources redundant (like flint), while increasing the value of others (like lithium for batteries).

Renewable natural capital includes natural resources that can be replaced or regenerated at a rate equal to or faster than they are being used.

Living ecosystems such as forests regenerate after harvesting due to seed dispersal and natural growth processes, which allow new trees to replace those that have been removed.

Wetlands can self-sustain and regenerate through natural processes such as sedimentation and nutrient cycling.

Groundwater is replenished through precipitation and infiltration, which ensures it can be sustainably used as a freshwater resource.

Non-renewable natural capital consists of natural resources that cannot be replaced or regenerated at a rate equal to or faster than they are being used; they are either irreplaceable or replenished only over geological timescales.

Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are finite resources formed over millions of years.

True.

Soil becomes effectively non-renewable when degradation or erosion exceeds natural replenishment rates.

Rare-earth minerals are considered non-renewable because they are finite and cannot be replenished within human timescales.

Sustainable use of natural capital involves managing and using renewable resources at a rate that allows for their long-term availability.

One strategy in sustainable forestry is selective logging, which involves only removing certain trees to preserve forest ecosystem integrity.

Setting catch limits and creating marine protected areas are practices used in fisheries management to ensure sustainability.

True.

Overfishing means catching fish faster than they reproduce, which depletes fish populations and disrupts marine ecosystem balance.

Resource security is the ability of societies to ensure long-term availability of sufficient natural resources to meet demand.

Key natural resources include water, food, energy and raw materials.

Resource security helps to prevent resource conflicts over resources and supports sustainable development.

The US has high food security due to economic, technological, and political strengths, while Ethiopia faces water security challenges because of limited funds, arid geography, and dependency on other countries for water.

In Ethiopia, limited funds for water infrastructure and a lack of advanced water purification systems affect water security.

Sustainable development is development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Factors influencing resource choices include economic, sociocultural, political, environmental, geographical, technological and historical considerations.

Government policies, such as regulations and subsidies, affect resource use by encouraging or restricting the use of certain resources.

True.

Technological innovation can create new resources, enable extraction, or improve efficiency of resource use.

International agreements like the Paris Agreement aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging countries to set net zero emissions targets.

Natural capital refers to the world’s natural resources, ecosystems and the services they provide.

Sustainable management of natural capital is important to balance human needs with environmental conservation.

A national action plan helps governments outline specific actions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote the sustainable management of natural capital.

One strategy to reduce the use of natural capital is imposing taxes on fossil fuels, such as a carbon tax.

An example is laws banning single-use plastics, which reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.

The European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme encourages industries to lower greenhouse gas outputs.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations to achieve balanced environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

SDG 15: Life on Land focuses on conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Sustainable management of water includes practices like water recycling and rainwater harvesting.

Shifting to renewable energy sources reduces environmental degradation and supports sustainable management of natural resources.

A circular economy encourages waste to be reused as raw material rather than disposed of.

True.

NGOs, local communities, and social movements can raise awareness, drive societal change, and implement sustainable practices to manage natural capital.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process for evaluating the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of a proposed development project.

The purpose of an EIA is to identify and evaluate the potential impacts of a project on the environment and develop strategies to mitigate those impacts.

A baseline study is carried out to understand the existing physical and biological environment before a project begins, so changes can be monitored throughout and after development.

Examples include mining and mineral extraction, infrastructure development (e.g. highways, airports), and energy projects (e.g. wind farms, hydroelectric dams).

During an EIA, mitigation measures are developed to reduce the potential environmental impacts of the project.

Public involvement in EIAs refers to engaging stakeholders and local communities in the assessment process to ensure transparency, fairness, and to build trust in decision-making.

Public involvement improves decision-making by incorporating local knowledge and reduces conflict by addressing concerns early in the process.

Stakeholder public hearings are meetings where people can express concerns or support for a project.

Limited access to information about EIA processes or reports can prevent communities from participating effectively in some regions.

False.

EIA guidelines and legal requirements vary widely between countries depending on legislation, priorities, and resources.

The scope of assessment refers to the range of impacts—such as environmental, social, cultural, and economic—considered during an EIA.

The Aarhus Convention ensures public access to EIA information and participation in Europe.

Some EIA guidelines require only a narrow focus, for example, considering only ecological parameters.

Unsustainable resource extraction is when resources are harvested, transported, or processed in ways that damage ecosystems, deplete resources faster than they regenerate, or harm communities and economies.

Extraction or harvesting, transportation, and processing are three key activities that can make resource use unsustainable if not managed carefully.

Clear-cutting during timber harvesting can damage soil and lead to erosion.

True.

Mining often leads to habitat destruction, pollution, and the displacement of local communities.

Excessive consumption is using resources faster than they can regenerate, leading to environmental degradation and resource depletion.

Overconsumption of resources like fish and timber destroys habitats and leads to loss of biodiversity.

Industrial-scale whaling caused dramatic population declines and disrupted marine ecosystems by removing key species.

True.

Many economies focus on high production and consumption without considering long-term sustainability.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) placed a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986.

Sustainability is meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Clear-cutting forests for timber can reduce biodiversity, disrupt carbon storage, and cause soil erosion, making timber harvesting unsustainable.

Overfishing can deplete fish stocks faster than they can recover, and destructive methods damage marine habitats.

Whale-watching ecotourism is a sustainable economic alternative to whaling, providing income while protecting whale populations.

Resource insecurity occurs when the availability of essential natural resources does not meet the demands of a population.

Two key causes of resource insecurity are rapid population growth and overexploitation of resources.

Uneven distribution of natural resources leads to resource insecurity in some regions of the world.

Resource insecurity can hinder socio-economic development by limiting access to resources needed for industries and agriculture, resulting in unemployment and reduced economic output.

Prolonged droughts in Somalia have contributed to food shortages and malnutrition.

Control over resource supply chains can shift power balances and give nations significant global influence, making countries dependent on those resources vulnerable to price shocks.

OPEC controls much of global oil production, impacting world markets and economies.

Mineral supply chain dependence is when a country or region relies on other countries for the extraction, processing, or supply of key minerals.

Two ways to reduce demand and achieve resource security are using energy-efficient appliances and promoting recycling.

Drip irrigation in agriculture minimises water wastage and improves efficiency.

Diversification of resource sources spreads risks and reduces dependence on a single supplier, increasing resource security.

Desalination technologies improve freshwater availability in arid regions, such as Saudi Arabia.

Technologies like vertical farming and hydroponics help increase food security by reducing pressure on arable land.

Economic globalisation is the increasing interconnectedness of countries through trade, investment, and resource flows.

False.

Economic globalisation can also reduce national resource security by making countries more dependent on global supply chains.

Many European nations are dependent on Russian gas for energy, but Russia does not depend on them equally.

Overdependence on resource revenues can harm an exporting country if global resource prices fall, leading to economic crisis, as seen in Venezuela's collapse after oil price drops.