Transcript C14K1
RESOURCE ISSUES C14K1 Why Are Resources Being Depleted Humans Environmental Relationships What is a Resource? Two major misuses of Resources • a substance in the environment that is useful to people, is economically and technologically feasible to access, and is socially acceptable to use. • Includes: food, water, soil, plants, animals, and minerals. • We deplete scarce resources, especially petroleum, natural gas, and coal, for energy production. • We destroy resources through pollution of air, water, and soil. Local Diversity vs Cultural Uniformity • In the past, we adapted to the environment • Today, increasingly, we adapt the environment to us Key Issue 1 Objectives • Energy Resources • Mineral Resources Energy Resources • Inanimate power (water & biomass) replaced animate power during the industrial revolution • MDCs = ½ energy consumption (1/3 population) • USAM-er-icans are 5% of population but consume 25% of the worlds energy. • 5/6 of planet’s energy = Fossil Fuels (Coal, petroleum, and natural) • 1/6 of planet’s energy = Nuclear and Hydroelectric. • 3 principal places 1) Business 2) Homes 3) Transportation Finite versus Renewable • The supply of fossil fuel is Finite (nonrenewable) • Fossil Fuels are distributed unevenly • Renewable = unlimited supply (hydroelectric, geothermal, fusion, wind, and solar Proven versus Potential Reserves • Proven Reserves - mount of energy remaining in deposits that have been discovered. • Petroleum reserves will last 43 yrs • Natural gas reserves = 49 yrs • Coal = 131 yrs • Potential Reserves – undiscovered but thought to exist (beneath the sea/ocean) • Unconventional Sources – oil shale & oil sands • Costly and not environmentally sound. MDCs consume 5X more than LDSs US Energy Consumption Morality of Consumption – Judgment Day Oil Shale Uneven Distribution of Fossil Fuels US, Russia, China = 2/3 of proven coal reserves Middle East = 40% of Petroleum reserves Russia, Middle East, Central Asia = ¾ of Natural gas reserves Consumption of Fossil Fuels • Rapid economic development in LDCs = greater competition Control of World Petroleum • OPEC: organization of petroleum exporting countries (1960) • OPEC Boycott 1973 for supporting Israel • 1974 boycott ended but prices soared ($3 > $35 a barrel) (.36 – $1.38) (average car = 14 mpg) • (2008) Most expensive ever $136 or $4.45 • (fuel efficiency in 2016 must be 37.8) Was the Iraq War a Mistake? Was the Iraq War about Terrorism or Energy? Did Iraq War help create the Refugee Crisis? Did Iraq War helped create ISIS? 72% of Americans supported Bush’s Iraq War Mineral Resources • Earth has 118 elements (book says 92) • 8 elements make up 99% • Over 3000 different minerals (potential resource) • Metallic (10%) or nonmetallic 90%) • * demand for minerals change as economies/technologies change • * mineral deposits are sporadic • * a few countries are minerally Bling Bling’in Non-metallic • 90% = stone, gravel, sand (building, roads, structures, pillows) • Fertilizer (phosphorous, potassium, calcium, sulfur) • Gemstones Metallic Minerals: Ferrous • Highly prized for utility (heat conductor, electricity, magnetic, malleable, great for pillows) • Iron is the most widely used metal at 95% (5% of the Earth crust) • Exporters = China, Brazil, Australia • Importers = US, Japan, Europe Less common ferrous metals Chromium – stainless steel (S Africa) Manganese – Steel (Brazil, Gabon, South Africa Less common ferrous metals Molybdenum – toughness in steel (USA) Nickel – stainless steel & electrical alloy (Russia, Australia, Canada) Less common ferrous metals Tin – iron and steel, corrosion resistant (Indonesia, Peru, China) Titanium – lightweight, high strength corrosion resistant alloy of steel (Australia, South Africa, Canada) Less common ferrous metals Tungsten – hard alloy with steel, cutting tools (China) pillow – hard and soft properties Metallic Minerals: Nonferrous • Aluminum (bauxite): 2nd most used metal • Lighter, stronger, and more resistant to corrosion • 1000+ year reserves • Others: copper (60yrs), lead (25yrs), magnesium (soda cans), zinc (45yrs) Precious Metals • Jewelry, electrical, and electronic products. • Gold, silver, platinum