Resources - natural capital
3.2.1 - Explain the concept of resources in terms of natural income.
Natural Capital: Resources (goods or services) that are not manufactured but have value to humans. These might include resources such as trees, water and natural ores or services like the erosion prevention provided by forests. Processes such as photosynthesis can also be considered Natural capital or resources. This definition allows us to give a value to our ecosystem. Natural Capital therefore yields Natural Income, and the measure of a countries wealth must take this into consideration. For example, how rich is a country in terms of; mineral resources, forests, rivers etc. The World Bank includes the rate of extraction of natural resources and the damage this causes in its calculation of a countries wealth.
3.2.2 - Define the terms renewable, replenishable and non-renewable natural capital.
Renewable Natural Capital
Living resources that can replace or restock themselves. These include things that can grow such as timber from trees. These types of resources normally take their energy from solar radiation vis photosynthesis, either directly (autotrophs) or indirectly (heterotrophs). Renewable capital can run out if more is removed than can be replaced by natural growth rate. |
Replenishable Natural Capital
The middle ground between renewable and non-renewable resources. They are replaced, but over very long time periods. This means that they can not be viewed as strictly renewable. Ground water which is generally used much faster than it is replenished is an example. |
Non-Renewable Natural Capital
Exist in finite (limited) amounts and can not be replaced after they have been used - basically, they will run out and alternatives will need to be found. Examples include mineral ores (gold, copper etc) and fossil fuels (oil, gas etc) |
3.2.3 - Explain the dynamic nature of the concept of a resource.
The value of a resource may vary over time. Something that was highly valued in the past. For example Whale Oil was once highly valued as a source of fuel for lamps, however it was replaced by kerosene. Resources that are highly valued today, such as oil or uranium, may be less so in future due to technological developments such as hydrogen fuel cells or fission technology.
3.2.4 - Discuss the view that the environment can have its own intrinsic value.
Resources can be valued in several ways;
Resources can also be valued ¨intrinsically¨. This means that a resource is valued for its cultural, esthetic, spiritual or philosophical (moral) value and are valued regardless of their potential use to humans.
Attempts are being made to acknowledge diverse valuations of nature (for example, biodiversity, rate of depletion of natural resources) so that they may be weighed more rigorously against more common economic values (for example, gross national product (GNP)). However, some argue that these valuations are impossible to quantify and price realistically. Not surprisingly, much of the sustainability debate centres on the problem of how to weigh conflicting values in our treatment of natural capital.
- Economic: Having marketable goods and services (timber, food)
- Ecological: Providing life support services (gas exchange by forests)
- Scientific: useful applications (medicines)
Resources can also be valued ¨intrinsically¨. This means that a resource is valued for its cultural, esthetic, spiritual or philosophical (moral) value and are valued regardless of their potential use to humans.
Attempts are being made to acknowledge diverse valuations of nature (for example, biodiversity, rate of depletion of natural resources) so that they may be weighed more rigorously against more common economic values (for example, gross national product (GNP)). However, some argue that these valuations are impossible to quantify and price realistically. Not surprisingly, much of the sustainability debate centres on the problem of how to weigh conflicting values in our treatment of natural capital.
3.2.5 - Explain the concept of sustainability in terms of natural capital and natural income.
Sustainability means living, within the means of nature, on the “interest” or sustainable income generated by natural capital.
Any society that supports itself in part by depleting essential forms of natural capital is unsustainable. If human well-being is dependent on the goods and services provided by certain forms of natural capital, then long- term harvest (or pollution) rates should not exceed rates of capital renewal. There is a finite amount of resources on Earth and human beings are currently using them unsustainably, that is, we are living on the natural capital, as well as the interest.
The UN states that;
In 1961we used 49% of the worlds resources
In 2001 we used 121%!!!
Any society that supports itself in part by depleting essential forms of natural capital is unsustainable. If human well-being is dependent on the goods and services provided by certain forms of natural capital, then long- term harvest (or pollution) rates should not exceed rates of capital renewal. There is a finite amount of resources on Earth and human beings are currently using them unsustainably, that is, we are living on the natural capital, as well as the interest.
The UN states that;
In 1961we used 49% of the worlds resources
In 2001 we used 121%!!!
3.2.6 - Discuss the concept of sustainable development.
The term “sustainable development” was first used in 1987 in Our Common Future (The Brundtland Report) and was defined as “development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The value of this approach is a matter of considerable debate and there is now no single definition for sustainable development. For example, some economists may view sustainable development as a stable annual return on investment regardless of the environmental impact, whereas some environmentalists may view it as a stable return without environmental degradation.
Whether a resource can be sustainably is hat we need to know. For example, Agriculture may appear sustainable as the new crops can be planted to replace the ones that are eaten. However, these are only truly sustainable if soil fertility is maintained and environmental degradation is prevented. Slash and burn agriculture and logging are sustainable IF the environment has time to recover, but is this happening?
Whether a resource can be sustainably is hat we need to know. For example, Agriculture may appear sustainable as the new crops can be planted to replace the ones that are eaten. However, these are only truly sustainable if soil fertility is maintained and environmental degradation is prevented. Slash and burn agriculture and logging are sustainable IF the environment has time to recover, but is this happening?
3.2.7 - Calculate and explain sustainable yield from given data.
Sustainable Yield: The increase in natural capital (natural income) that can be exploited each year without depleting the original stock or its potential for replenishment.
For example, the annual sustainable yield for a given crop may be estimated simply as the annual gain in biomass or energy through growth and recruitment. |