Topic 8: Human Systems and Resource Use

Topic 8.2: Resource use in

society
Starter: Other that fossil fuels name as many key resources as you can.
Humanity’s key resources
• Fossil fuels, water, air, soil.
• Phosphorus – nearly all crops in the world are
grown using phosphorus based fertilisers.
• Minerals – many uses, particularly important for
electronics.
• Iron – most important metal for the construction
industry.
• Forest/timber – construction and air purification
 Natural capital and natural income
• Natural capital is a resource that has some value to
humans.
• Resources are goods or services that we use like geology, soil,
air, water and all living things
• Natural income is the yield we get from the resource
(usually measures as annual yield)
Natural Capital
Forests, mineral deposits, fisheries and fertile soil

timber, ores, fish and plants

Natural Income
• Resources can have physical value (goods), and support
life (services).
• A mountain may be involved in the production of fresh water
(goods)
• A mountain will create a certain climate around it which could
support farming/plant growth (service)
• A mountain may provide the location for a ski resort (service)
The value of a resource may be:
Aesthetic - Looks good, e.g. Landscape
Cultural – Has some cultural significance, e.g. buffalos and
native Americans.
Economic – Has value that is determined by the market
price of that good. E.g. Gold
Environmental/ecological – No market price, but essential
to humans. E.g. Photosynthesis
Intrinsic – Right to exist irrelevant of value to humans.
Social – A place or location where people go to socialise.
Spiritual – Uluru (Ayres rock)
Technological – Certain rare metals are used in computer
screen and chipboards.
Renewable/non-renewable
Renewable natural capital – can be generated
and/or replaced as fast as it is being used.
Non-renewable natural capital – is either
irreplaceable or only replaced over geological
timescales e.g. fossil fuels, soil and minerals.
• Resources can be recycled, this is a good way of
preserving non-renewable resources.
Dynamic nature of natural capital
The importance of resources changes over time.

• Technocentrists believe that new discoveries will provide solutions

to old problems.
• Hydrogen fuel cells replacing hydrocarbon based fuel
• Algae as a major food source.
• Flint used for weapons (arrow heads) and tools is no longer in
demand.
• Uranium has only become useful in the last 70 years, and may
become less important if we develop nuclear fission.

Research two resources and discuss how there importance has

changed over time. One that is no longer important and one that
has gained importance
Good examples: Cork, Lithium
Valuing natural capital
Use valuation – natural capital we can put a
price on.
• Not just marketable goods, also includes
ecological functions and recreational functions.

Non-use valuation – natural capital that is almost

impossible to put a price on.
• Intrinsic value (right to exist).
• Future uses we do not yet know.
• Value for future generations – existence value.
 Valuing non-use valuation?
Differing opinions:
• If we can find a way to give it
a price tag then it may make
people understand its
importance.
• But, it may also make people
think of exploiting the
resource.
Outline an example of how renewable and non-
renewable natural capital has been mismanaged.

• Research two mismanaged resources, one

renewable and the other not.
• Describe what its used for and how we obtain it.
• Describe how it was mismanaged, this may be
unsustainable use and/or damage to the
environment or society.

Good examples: oil, water, many resources in Africa.