Respond to issues influencing the sustainable use of natural resources Unit 3 : Part 1.3 Respond to issues influencing the sustainable use of natural resources

AGRICULTURE Generates 1.7% of Canada’s (GDP) and provides jobs to approximately one in 86 Canadians. Supports many rural communities and provides a safe, abundant food supply. Agricultural land is considered a renewable resource because, if it is properly cared for, crops may grow on it year after year. Only about 7 % of the total land area of Canada is arable - or suitable for growing crops.

The most important natural factors affecting farming are: Climate Landforms Soil conditions Other factors: Demand for certain products Transportation systems available Closeness to markets Competition from lower-cost growers Changing food prices on world markets

Challenges Farmers Face: natural hazards (early frosts, drought, floods, and animal diseases) high costs for fuel and equipment low crop prices competition from subsidized farmers in other countries competition from factory farms Subsidy – money given by the government to offset the cost of producing a good or service. Why would a governments pay farmers a subsidy? It reduces farmers costs so they keep their price lower and have an advantage over farmers from other countries.

There are a number of trends in Canadian agriculture: Changing consumer demands – people want healthier food. 2. Changing technology – allows more food to be grown but may be bad for health / environment. (pesticides)

3. Larger farms / less farmers – technology allows fewer farmers to work bigger areas of land.

4. Control of agriculture by transnational corporations. Agribusiness industry – a large-scale farming business that carries out all the steps involved in producing food. (growing / storing / processing / transporting)

5. Growth of factory farms – large numbers of animals are kept in controlled spaces, treated with hormones and antibiotics to maximize growth and prevent disease.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE - FEEDING CANADA IN THE FUTURE Sustainable agriculture – a method of farming that is profitable, protects the environment, conserves natural resources, supports the rural community and that lasts into the future. How can sustainable agriculture be encouraged? Buy locally grown food whenever possible. Plant your own garden or participate in a community garden. Support farms that use organic agriculture. Organic agriculture - growing plants and animals without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, or antibiotics.

Mining

Canada is known for its mineral wealth. Three kinds are: metallic mineral – a mineral that is a metal. (iron, nickel, copper) 2. non-metallic mineral – a mineral that is not a metal. (potash, salt) 3. Fuel mineral – a fossil fuel mineral. (coal, oil, natural gas)

Finding the Minerals All rocks contain minerals – but only a few places have enough to justify a mine. Ore – the rock that contains enough of a mineral that makes it worthwhile to develop a mine. How are minerals found? Use tools that detect a magnetic field from certain metallic minerals. Search for anomalies – characteristics of rock that are different from surrounding rock .(staining) Know what type of rock certain minerals are found in and find that type. (sedimentary – fuel; igneous – metallic)

Mining and the Economy Mining supplies raw materials for secondary industry. It provides jobs in mining communities. (320,000) Contributes to the local GDP. (NL – 8.6% from mining) Contributes to Canada’s economy. (about $80 billion) Helps the balance of trade – difference between imports and exports. (2010 - $85 B in exports - $67 B in imports)

IMPACT OF MINING ON NATURAL SYSTEMS Mining occurs on less than 0.03% of land but has a big ecological footprint. Figure 6.45 The Panda Ekati diamond mine is located in the Northwest Territories. Six lakes had to be drained to develop the mine, and another one was used for the storage of mine waste.

Slag – molten waste material from nickel smelting. Tailings – finely ground-up rock left over after the mineral has been extracted. Acid rain – precipitation that is highly acidic due to pollutants. Refining – part of the process that removes impurities when metal is separated from rock ore. Smelting – the heating and melting of ore to extract a pure metal.

How does acid rain threaten the natural systems? Kills or delays the growth of trees. Makes soils less fertile. Results in dead lakes – fish cannot live in them. Contaminates the food and water people consume.

Mineral Sustainability Minerals are non-renewable resources, they cannot be developed sustainably so that they last into the future. However there are still things we can do: Reduce mineral use Recycle mineral-based products Use technology to waste less minerals We can also do things to reduce the affects on natural systems: Restore old mines to their natural landscape. Reduce pollutants from mining smelters. (less acid rain) Reduce slag and tailings from mineral refining.

CANADA: A COUNTRY OF FORESTS

Canada is known for its forests: 397.3 million hectares covers half of Canada’s total land area almost 57% is considered commercial forest - land capable of producing marketable products. Timber – wood that has been prepared for use as a building material.

The value of forests: They contribute to the biodiversity of ecosystems Economically they provide jobs, money from taxes and tourism They provide goods like lumber and newsprint Ecologically they reduce soil erosion, recycle water, produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide They provide homes for wildlife

Who Owns Canada’s Forests? Forest Harvesting Methods A million hectares of forest are cut down each year in Canada. What methods are used to harvest forests?

1. Clear-cutting - involves clearing an area of all its trees at one time. (90% of forestry in Canada) Preferred by forestry companies: It costs less. Safer for loggers. Environmentalists don’t like it: Leads to soil erosion. Loss of biodiversity in trees and animals.

2. Strip Logging – long strips of land are cleared, leaving some islands of forest intact. Advantages: 1. Reduces soil erosion. 2. Less disruptive to wildlife. 3. Natural reseeding takes place.

3. Shelterwood Cutting – some mature trees are cut, others are left to provide shade for the growth of younger trees and seedlings. (Trees are generally the same age.)

4. Selection cutting – removes mainly deciduous trees of various ages singly or in small groups. Also used to remove diseased trees. Left to regenerate naturally.

Sustainable Forest Development Forests are a renewable resource and can be sustainable. Each district in Newfoundland and Labrador requires a forest management plan – long-term goals for an area to be logged.

Ways to improve forest management include: leave a band of forest around the shores of lakes and rivers avoid cutting on slopes to reduce erosion reduce the size of clear-cut areas set aside areas of the forest to provide ecosystems for wildlife or for seed reserves for future tree growth Model forest – sustainable management of small areas of local forest that involves input from all stakeholders who work together as a team.

Global Forest Watch http://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/5/48.14/-110.05/ALL

WATER

What do you use water for? Read “The Comforts of Home” on page 296. Would you like a limit on how much water you can use? Water ethics – a set of moral principals or beliefs about is right or wrong when considering the use of water.

Is water a product to be bought and sold, or is it a basic human right Is water a product to be bought and sold, or is it a basic human right? Or is it both? Commons – natural resources such as oceans and fresh water that belong to everyone. Commodity – an economic resource such as a raw material or agricultural product that is exchanged for money. Canada has 0.5% of the world’s population and 20% of the fresh water. However, we only have 7% of the usable water because much of it is deep underground or away from populated areas.

Canada’s Wetlands Wetlands – a place where the water table is at ground level. (bog, swamp) Many wetlands are being drained, filled in and developed for other uses. However, wetlands are important: They filter our drinking water. Store water. Provide a home for wildlife. Provide recreational opportunities. Provide food. It is important that we not mistreat wetland areas.

Water diversion – the rerouting of water from one drainage basin to another. As population and the economy grows there is pressure to divert water from one place to another. Should we? Should Canada divert or sell its water to the United States? Privatization – changing ownership of a property or resource from public ownership by government to private ownership by an individual or business. Would conservation be encouraged by private ownership? PROFIT CONSUME

In 2000, a water crisis in Walkerton , Ontario, killed 7 people and made 2300 ill. In NL and Lab, over 150 communities can be under a boil water advisory. Groundwater – water found beneath the Earth’s surface in the spaces in soil and bedrock.

How can we ensure a safe, sustainable water supply? Test and treat municipal water supplies. Treat sewage before it goes into the water supply. Develop and enforce strict laws to prevent contaminants from entering the water. Do not dump contaminants down the drain or put them in the garbage. Conserve water – use less.

Assignment Agriculture : P. 257 Q #1, 2c, 4 a&b P. 259 Q #1 and 2 Mining : P. 279 Q # 1 P. 283 Q # 1 and 2 Forestry : P. 291 Q #1b, 2, 3 Water : P. 301 – Stretch your thinking P. 305 Q # 1 and 2 Worksheet : economic activity