9.2.2 Resource Consumption

Resource Consumption

9.2.2

Objectives

​Learners can:

• describe how a large population has impacted the availability of natural resources

• predict the impact human population growth may have on resource availability over the next decades and centuries

• consumption

• mitigation

• nonrenewable resource

• pollution

• population

​Prerequisite Vocab

• None

​New Vocab

Vocabulary

Categorize

Options (4)

the using up of resources

the act of reducing the severity of something

a harmful or poisonous substance in the environment

group of organisms of the same species

Match the vocabulary word to its definition.

Consumption

Mitigation

Population

Pullution

Natural Resource Use

Earth's population has been rapidly increasing over the last several decades. It is estimated to be over 8 billion. Technology has played a critical role in allowing the population to grow to this level as it has provided not only improved medical care but also improved access to important resources such as food. However, the need for resources has significantly impacted Earth and its environment.

Open Ended

What is one challenge that needs to be considered as Earth becomes home to more and more people?

Population and Consumption

Earth's global population has been rapidly increasing. Most of that growth has occurred in a relatively short amount of time. Humans on Earth increased from about one billion to eight billion in only about 200 years.

Population and Consumption

​Disposable Products

Not only is the use of resources for necessities increasing, but there is an increased use of disposable products, such as paper cups. These single-use products are often promoted for convenience or sanitation, but they also contribute significantly to wasted resources.

Population and Consumption

​Per capita Measurements

“Per capita” is a term that is used to describe something that applies to each individual.

Per means "for each" Capita means "person"

“Per capita” measurements are helpful because they help to understand how each individual contributes to a specific issue, such as resource consumption. Understanding per capita measurements also helps compare resource use worldwide by factoring in the population sizes of different areas of Earth.

Hotspot

Which of the following countries has the highest annual carbon emissions per capita?

Increasing Resource Needs

Countries will continue to require increased resources and materials to meet the needs and demands of their populations. Consider how the need for energy resources in China has changed over time.

​The line graph emphasizes the increased use of energy resources in China. However, this is just one region of many worldwide that has experienced a drastic increase in resource consumption due to a growing population.

​Study the table below.
It compares China's population
size and energy consumption over about 30 years. You will notice that per capita energy consumption has increased from 1980 to 2008.

Increasing Resource Needs

Natural Resource Use

​Natural resources are necessary for the materials used every day. However, as the population grows, the need for these resources increases. This demand impacts many areas of Earth as those resources need to be gathered, processed, and distributed.

​The growing global population increases fossil fuel use, leading to habitat loss from extraction and carbon emissions from burning, which cause pollution and drive climate change.

​​Fossil Fuels

​Growing populations increase demand for essential minerals like metals, leading to more exploration and environmental damage, while recycling helps reduce this demand by reusing existing resources.

​​Minerals

​As populations grow, more land is cleared for housing and agriculture, causing deforestation, which results in habitat loss, potential species extinction, and increased atmospheric carbon that contributes to climate change.

​​Trees

​As the human population grows, expanding cities, agriculture, and livestock areas damage nearby ecosystems, forcing wildlife to compete for shrinking habitats and increasing encounters with invasive species.

​​Wildlife

Open Ended

Choose a natural resource: fossil fuels, trees, minerals, or wildlife.

How does the increase in global populations lead to the depletion of the natural resource you chose?

Multiple Select

How does a growing population lead to deforestation? Select all that apply.

• 
  increased demand for lumber and paper products

• expansion of agricultural land

• 
  increased use of sustainable practices and recycling

• 
  construction of new homes and infrastructure

Lasting Impacts

The impacts of resource use are not just short-term. The increased extraction and use of natural resources have lasting implications for Earth's environment.

Reliance on non-renewable resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, threatens the future availability of these materials.

​Fresh water is limited on Earth, and increasing water demands for agriculture, industry, and domestic use have led to its scarcity in different areas.

​​Water Scarcity

​Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which drive climate change and lead to rising global temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and higher sea levels.

​​Climate Change

​Industrial activity, agriculture, and waste generation pollute air, water, and soil, affecting the health of humans and other species.

​​Pollution

​Depletion of Nonrenewable Resources

Lasting Impacts

Some environmental impacts may be irreversible, especially as nonrenewable resources cannot be replenished once depleted. Therefore, it's crucial to recognize these risks early to address them or adapt accordingly. Shifting to renewable resources like solar energy can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lessen long-term environmental damage.

Multiple Select

Which of the following represents the lasting environmental impacts of a growing human population? Select all that apply.

• climate change

• 
  deforestation

• 
  improved air quality

• 
  water pollution

Multiple Choice

What happens to the demand for natural resources as the human population grows?

• 
  it increases

• 
  it decreases

• 
  it stays the same

• 
  it is unrelated

Multiple Select

Which of the following are potential solutions to the challenges of population growth and resource use? Select all that apply.

• 
  heavily relying on the use of fossil fuels

• promoting sustainable agricultural and forestry practices

• 
  investing in renewable energy sources

• 
  encouraging unsustainable consumption patterns