Sec 1 GE Ch:2-2 Sustainability of Resource Use

affects the use of natural resources.

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TWO views:

• Nature-centred

• Human-centred​

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People's Views

The physical environment with its natural resources is seen as valuable in itself

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and should be preserved​

Nature-Centred

The physical environment is valuable because humans can​ obtain materials from it

• But can lead to depletion of natural resources

• And degradation of the environment​

Human-Centred

means actions people can take

to ensure

the natural resources

we have on Earth today

continue to be

available

for future generations

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Sustainable Use

OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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Conservation

• Reduce

• Reuse

• Recycle

• Recover​

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Sustainable Use

Reduce consumption to reduce the amount of natural resources used

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Environmental footprint

Measuring the land area needed to make a product and​ to absord the waste generated

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REDUCE

Reusing a product means no need to buy a new piece, using fewer resources

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REUSE

Turning used materials into new and useful ones

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Recyclable materials such as aluminium and paper​

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Reduces need for more raw materials, energy and water​

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RECYCLE

Recovering useful materials from the waste we produce

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Composting food waste

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Reduces the amount of waste that needs to be incinerated / dumped​

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RECOVER

Using technology to reduce our environmental footprint

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E.g. Solar Power​

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Technological Development

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w1zNXGQxGs​

​Singapore is building more solar farms to reduce its environmental footprint

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