Unit 2: Natural Resources Sustainability Unit 2: Natural Resources

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In Nature: how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time For Humans: it is the potential for long-term maintenance of wellbeing, which depends on the wellbeing of the natural world and proper management of resources.

Types of Sustainability 3. In Geography: is the balance between physical elements (the natural world) and human impact on these systems. 4 Pillars of Sustainability: Human Economic Environmental Social

4 Pillars of Sustainability HUMAN SUSTAINABILITY: is the maintenance of human life. The primary need for human sustainability is healthy reproduction and child-bearing. Child care is an essential part of maintaining human sustainability. When the child is fully functional as an adult and is able to sustain his own life, they can be the part of the cycle. Healthy maintenance of this cycle will help preserve human sustainability.

4 Pillars of Sustainability 2. ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY: is having enough capital for a designated period of time. The main objective of this is to make sure that the resources are preserved for the human beings in the future. To maintain economic sustainability production and regeneration of resources must be faster than the rate of consumption, or at least equal to it.

4 Pillars of Sustainability 3. SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: is a must for the preservation of human kind in the future. In order to maintain the social sustainability, law and order must be preserved and everyone should live by the social values created for the good of the people.

4 Pillars of Sustainability 4. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: as humans we depend on natural resources for everything. All our needs and desires are fulfilled by absorbing the resources from the nature. The continuous depletion of natural resources will have a massive impact on environment. Nature must be allowed time to re-generate to avoid degradation and scarcity of the natural resources. Constant pollution and deposition of waste materials in a larger quantity than nature can handle degrades the environment. Environmental sustainability is a must to prolong the life of earth and everything in it.

4 Pillars of Sustainability All four types of sustainability are interlinked with each other if one area is harmed or depleted the other pillars will have similar consequences. Example: Running out of Fossil Fuels  Increase $ for remaining reserves (Economic)  Less affordable transportation (Social)  Less CO2 emissions from vehicle (Environmental) The whole concept of sustainability has emerged, based on our desire to survive on earth, and to maintain a sustainable living environment for the future generations to come. Maintaining sustainability of all four aspects falls under our own responsibilities and the benefits are also entirely for us.

Types of Sustainability Environmental Sustainability Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Transportation Sustainable Energy Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Sustainable Industry Sustainable Materials Sustainable Resource & Resource Use Sustainable Economy Making $ using all of the elements above

Sustainability As the earth’s population has increased, natural ecosystems have declined and changes in the balance of natural cycles has had negative effects on both human life and nature. “sustainability is improving the quality of human life, while living within the carrying capacity of the natural environment”

Sustainability Read the “Earth: Now Serving 7 Billion” Answer the Questions and HAND IN! Due: Monday March 14th

Intro to Natural Resources Unit 2: Natural Resources

What is a Resource?

What is a Resource? A resource is anything that serves human needs; any useful material or assets. A resource can be natural or it can be human-made. Resources can change in value Resources depend upon societies perception and change with different times and different technology

Natural Resource A natural resource is a material or condition that is occurs naturally in the environment. These resources have potential uses for humankind.

Canada’s Natural Resources Natural Resources are a vital part of Canada’s economy and society. As a leading world exporter of natural resources and resource based technology, Canada contributes to the well-being on people in many countries of the world.

Seven Basic Natural Resources 1. Water 2. Fossil Fuels 3. Metallic Minerals 4. Non-Metallic Minerals 5. Air 6. Sun 7. Biotic Resources (Living Things)

Types of Resources 1. Non-renewable Resources: Finite Resources Once the resource is used, it cannot be used again. Example: Oil, Natural Gas, Coal

Types of Resources 2. Renewable Resources: Infinite Resources If properly managed, the resource can be produced again and again. Example: Water & Forest

Types of Resources 3. Recycled Resources: If collected, the resources can be re-used. Example: Paper & Plastics

Resource Base A resource base is the sum of a regions resources. There are three possible outcomes of a resource base: Proven Reserve: Clearly established, readily recoverable, guaranteed supply Probable Reserve: Resources that might be able to be used with further explain required and increased funding Possible Reserve: Speculative, unexplored areas; limited access sites, not likely to be used in the near future.

Sustainable Development Sustainable development of resources is a resource management model that considers the impact that economic activity has on our environment and the well being of Society. It strives to balance the needs of the environment, economy and society.

The Sun as A Resource Energy is the capacity or ability do work. The source of most of the Earth’s energy is the center of the sun. Heat is created by the sun when Hydrogen atoms fuse to form Helium. The sun has many roles including: Warming the atmosphere, land and water Being used by plants to produce food  plants are consumed by animals and humans  FOOD CHAIN Creates the weather and therefore affects climate

Air Resources Encircling the surface of the earth is a sphere of gases, known as the atmosphere. The Earth’s Atmosphere is divided into 4 layers: Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere

Air Resources Air is mainly composed of: Oxygen (O2): 21% Nitrogen (N): 78% Other Gases: 1% The air also holds water vapour, dust, pollen from plants, and millions of tiny living things.