Resources, Sustainability and Manufactured Products Guide
Using resources • Earth's resources and potable water
Flashcards
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Key concepts
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Natural products and their sources
Natural products come directly from living systems or geological deposits. Examples include timber from forests, natural rubber from rubber trees, and crude oil from fossil deposits. Natural formation is often slow; timber and rubber regenerate over years, while fossil fuels form over millions of years. High extraction rates cause depletion or ecosystem damage. For example, high demand for timber causes deforestation, which reduces biodiversity and harms soil stability.
Agricultural supplementation and replacement
Agricultural production increases supply by cultivating plants and animals under controlled conditions. Crop plantations and managed forests supply timber and plant oils more reliably than wild collection. Agricultural methods replace wild harvesting when natural stocks cannot meet demand. Intensive agriculture increases yield but causes effects such as soil depletion, pesticide runoff and habitat loss. Sustainable practices such as crop rotation and managed harvesting reduce negative environmental impacts.
Synthetic products and chemical alternatives
Synthetic products arise from chemical manufacturing rather than direct biological extraction. Examples include synthetic rubber, synthetic fabrics (e.g., polyester), and lab-produced oils and polymers. Synthesis provides consistent properties and large-scale supply when natural sources are limited. Manufacture of synthetic alternatives often consumes energy and uses non-renewable feedstocks; therefore, production choices trade resource availability for environmental footprint and lifecycle impacts.
Finite resources: definition and examples
Finite resources form much more slowly than human use removes them, so extraction reduces long-term availability. Examples include crude oil, coal, natural gas and many metal ores. Finite classification depends on geological formation rates and current consumption rates. Rapid extraction of finite resources causes scarcity and can increase prices and geopolitical tensions. Recycling and substitution reduce pressure on finite reserves by recovering materials or replacing them with alternatives.
Renewable resources: definition and limiting factors
Renewable resources regenerate naturally at a rate comparable to or faster than human use. Examples include timber from sustainably managed forests, biomass crops, solar and wind energy, and freshwater from the hydrological cycle. Renewable classification depends on sustainable management and environmental conditions. Limiting factors such as growth rate, land availability, climate, and pollution can prevent renewables from meeting demand. For instance, water scarcity limits irrigation-dependent agriculture even though water is part of a renewable cycle.
Sustainability, recycling and product lifecycle
Sustainability means using resources at a rate that allows natural replenishment and maintains ecosystems. Recycling recovers materials from used products, which reduces need for new extraction and lessens environmental impact. Product design for recyclability and longer life reduces total resource demand. Cause: high consumption with low recycling rates. Effect: increased extraction of raw materials and greater environmental damage. Implementing recycling and choosing renewable feedstocks reduces these effects.
Key notes
Important points to keep in mind