affects the use of natural resources.

​

TWO views:

• Nature-centred

• Human-centred​

​

People's Views

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

​

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

​

Sustainable Use

OF NATURAL RESOURCES

​

Conservation

• Reduce

• Reuse

• Recycle

• Recover​

​

​

Sustainable Use

Reduce consumption to reduce the amount of natural resources used

​

Environmental footprint

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

​

​

​

​

REDUCE

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

​

​

​

​

REUSE

Turning used materials into new and useful ones

​

Recyclable materials such as aluminium and paper​

​

Reduces need for more raw materials, energy and water​

​

​

​

RECYCLE

Recovering useful materials from the waste we produce

​

Composting food waste

​

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

​

​

​

RECOVER

Using technology to reduce our environmental footprint

​

E.g. Solar Power​

​

Technological Development

Video: Singapore's Solar Farm

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

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

Quiz Time

Which of the

4Rs

do these cases show?

How much have you understood?