12: Environment and Resources
- Page ID
- 382150
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Understand: the problems associated with the demand for nonrenewable energy resources and the available supply.
- Explain: the issues associated with the pollution of air, land, and water.
- Describe: the types of renewable and alternative energy resources and global initiatives to leverage these resources.
- Connect: preservation efforts worldwide to anthropogenic pressures on the environment.
- 12.1: Introduction
- This page explores the crucial connection between resources and global issues, noting how population growth increases resource demand. It highlights job opportunities in fossil fuel industries as a driver for migration and discusses the relationship between culture, political systems, and resource availability. The UK's coal availability is cited as a catalyst for the industrial revolution.
- 12.2: Nonrenewable Energy Resources
- This page discusses fossil fuels as the primary global energy source, emphasizing their nonrenewable nature and formation from ancient organic matter. It highlights their importance for electricity and transportation, alongside ongoing air pollution issues despite emission-reducing technologies. Major reserves are located in the U.S., Middle East, and Russia, with production led by China, India, and the U.S. for coal, and Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the U.S. for oil and natural gas.
- 12.3: Renewable Energy Sources
- This page discusses the global transition from finite fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal energy, driven by sustainability concerns and emissions. Europe leads in this shift, while Asia and the Middle East invest heavily, even in oil-rich nations. The U.S. is behind despite its renewable resources.
- 12.4: Pollution
- This page addresses critical environmental issues stemming from airborne and waterborne pollutants, primarily due to fossil fuels and harmful chemicals. It covers the greenhouse effect's role in climate change and international efforts like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Summit to mitigate emissions. Additionally, it highlights challenges in solid waste management and the disparity in recycling rates, with the U.S.
- 12.5: Preservation of Natural Resources
- This page discusses the significant impact of human activities on the environment, highlighting the necessity of conservation and preservation for safeguarding land and resources in response to growing populations. It distinguishes between conservation, which promotes sustainable resource use, and preservation, aimed at maintaining natural areas, exemplified by national parks protecting species like the Bengal tiger.
- 12.6: Key Terms Defined
- This page covers key concepts of energy sources and environmental sustainability, focusing on biofuels as renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. It discusses conservation and preservation practices for sustainable resource use, addresses environmental issues such as eutrophication and the greenhouse effect, and notes the challenges of landfill management and energy resource reserves.
- 12.7: Works Consulted and Further Reading
- This page summarizes references on renewable energy investments, emphasizing China's financial commitments and European usage of renewables. It discusses key events such as the Paris Climate Summit and the Paris Agreement and highlights the shift towards renewables in Asia and Europe, noting that Europe achieved nearly 90% of new power from renewable sources in 2016.


