International Development and Sustainability

🚣🏼‍♀️International Development and Sustainability Unit 9 – Natural Resources: Water, Land & Energy

Natural resources are vital for human activities, but their uneven global distribution leads to economic disparities and geopolitical tensions. Water scarcity, land degradation, and energy consumption pose significant challenges, while resource extraction and use have far-reaching environmental impacts. Sustainable resource management is crucial for balancing economic, social, and environmental needs. Future challenges include population growth, climate change, and increasing resource demands. Innovations in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy principles offer hope for addressing these issues.

Key Concepts and Definitions

  • Natural resources essential materials and energy sources occurring in nature used for human activities (water, land, minerals, fossil fuels)
  • Renewable resources replenished naturally on a human timescale (solar, wind, hydro power)
  • Non-renewable resources finite supplies that cannot be readily replaced once exhausted (coal, oil, natural gas)
  • Sustainability meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs
  • Carrying capacity maximum population size an environment can sustain indefinitely given available resources
  • Ecological footprint measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems and natural resources
  • Resource depletion occurs when extraction rates exceed replenishment rates leading to declining availability
  • Environmental degradation deterioration of the environment through depletion and contamination reducing quality and productivity

Global Distribution of Natural Resources

  • Uneven distribution of resources across the globe influenced by geological processes, climate, and geography
  • Fossil fuel reserves concentrated in specific regions (Middle East, Russia, North America)
  • Mineral deposits unevenly distributed based on geological formations and tectonic activity
    • Rare earth elements critical for modern technologies found in limited locations (China, Australia, United States)
  • Freshwater availability varies greatly depending on climate, precipitation patterns, and groundwater reserves
    • Water-stressed regions face scarcity due to limited supplies and high demand (North Africa, Middle East)
  • Arable land suitable for agriculture determined by soil quality, climate, and topography
    • Fertile soils and favorable growing conditions support productive farmland (river deltas, volcanic regions)
  • Forests cover 31% of Earth's land area with diverse ecosystems and timber resources
  • Unequal access to resources contributes to economic disparities and geopolitical tensions between nations

Water Resources and Management

  • Freshwater essential for human survival, agriculture, and industry accounting for only 2.5% of Earth's water
  • Surface water found in rivers, lakes, and wetlands is a primary source for human use
  • Groundwater stored in aquifers is a vital resource for irrigation and drinking water
    • Aquifer depletion occurs when extraction rates exceed recharge rates leading to declining water tables
  • Water scarcity affects over 2 billion people globally due to limited availability and increasing demand
  • Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals putting pressure on water resources
  • Water pollution from industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage degrades water quality and ecosystem health
  • Integrated water resource management (IWRM) holistic approach considering social, economic, and environmental factors
  • Water conservation practices (drip irrigation, low-flow fixtures) reduce consumption and improve efficiency

Land Use and Degradation

  • Land use practices shape the environment and impact ecosystem services
  • Agriculture is the largest land use globally covering 38% of Earth's land surface
    • Cropland expansion often occurs at the expense of natural habitats (forests, grasslands)
  • Deforestation clearing of forests for agriculture, logging, and development contributes to biodiversity loss and climate change
    • Tropical rainforests (Amazon, Congo Basin) are hotspots of deforestation with high ecological value
  • Overgrazing occurs when livestock density exceeds the land's carrying capacity leading to vegetation loss and soil erosion
  • Urbanization conversion of land for cities and infrastructure fragments habitats and alters local ecosystems
  • Soil degradation deterioration of soil quality through erosion, salinization, and nutrient depletion
    • Desertification land degradation in arid and semi-arid regions exacerbated by climate change and unsustainable practices
  • Sustainable land management practices (agroforestry, conservation tillage) aim to balance productivity and ecological integrity

Energy Sources and Consumption

  • Energy drives modern economies and is essential for development and quality of life
  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) currently dominate the global energy mix providing 84% of primary energy
    • Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases contributing to climate change and air pollution
  • Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal) offer clean alternatives with lower environmental impacts
    • Solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power are the fastest-growing renewable technologies with falling costs
  • Nuclear power generates electricity through nuclear fission with low carbon emissions but safety and waste concerns
  • Energy efficiency measures (insulation, LED lighting) reduce energy consumption without compromising services
  • Energy access remains a challenge with 789 million people lacking electricity and 2.8 billion relying on traditional biomass for cooking
  • Sustainable energy transition shifting from fossil fuels to renewables is crucial for mitigating climate change and achieving SDG 7

Environmental Impacts and Sustainability

  • Resource extraction and consumption have far-reaching environmental consequences
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion are the primary driver of anthropogenic climate change
    • Rising global temperatures lead to sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and ecosystem disruption
  • Air pollution from industrial activities and transportation affects human health and ecosystems
    • Particulate matter (PM) and ground-level ozone are major air pollutants with adverse respiratory impacts
  • Water pollution from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and plastic waste degrades aquatic ecosystems
    • Eutrophication excess nutrient loading leads to algal blooms and oxygen depletion in water bodies
  • Biodiversity loss accelerated by habitat destruction, overexploitation, and climate change
    • Sixth mass extinction underway with current extinction rates 100-1000 times higher than background rates
  • Circular economy model aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency through reuse and recycling
  • Sustainable resource management balances economic, social, and environmental considerations for long-term viability

Resource Conflicts and Geopolitics

  • Competition over scarce resources can lead to conflicts and geopolitical tensions
  • Water disputes arise when transboundary rivers and aquifers are shared by multiple countries
    • Nile River conflict involves 11 countries with competing water demands for agriculture and hydropower
  • Oil and gas reserves are strategic assets that shape foreign policies and alliances
    • Resource curse paradox where resource-rich countries often experience slower economic growth and political instability
  • Rare earth elements used in high-tech industries are a source of geopolitical leverage
    • China's dominance in rare earth production has raised concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities
  • Land grabbing large-scale land acquisitions by foreign investors can displace local communities and threaten food security
  • Resource nationalism government control over natural resources can lead to expropriation and investment risks
  • International cooperation and multilateral agreements are crucial for managing shared resources and preventing conflicts

Future Challenges and Innovations

  • Population growth and rising consumption levels will increase pressure on natural resources
  • Climate change will exacerbate water scarcity, land degradation, and ecosystem disruption
    • Adaptation measures (drought-resistant crops, coastal protection) will be necessary to build resilience
  • Sustainable intensification increasing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impacts
    • Precision agriculture uses data and technology to optimize input use and reduce waste
  • Renewable energy technologies will continue to improve in efficiency and cost-competitiveness
    • Energy storage solutions (batteries, pumped hydro) will be crucial for integrating variable renewables into the grid
  • Circular economy principles will gain prominence in resource management and waste reduction
    • Eco-design and extended producer responsibility will encourage product longevity and recyclability
  • Nature-based solutions (reforestation, wetland restoration) offer co-benefits for biodiversity, climate mitigation, and human well-being
  • International cooperation and technology transfer will be essential for addressing global resource challenges and achieving sustainable development goals


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.