Sustainability and

Renewable Resources
Unit No 2
 Sustainability and
Renewable
Resources

Exploring Our Planet's

Treasures
 Pillars of Sustainability

•Environmental: Protecting
natural resources and
ecosystems.
•Social: Ensuring equity and
well-being for all people.
•Economic: Fostering economic
growth that is environmentally
and socially responsible.
The Importance of
Sustainability

•Climate change
mitigation.
•Resource
conservation.
•Biodiversity
preservation.
•Economic growth and
development
Natural Resources: An
Overview

•Definition: Materials or
substances occurring in
nature that can be exploited
for economic gain.
•Classification: Renewable
and non-renewable.
Renewable Resources

•Definition: Resources that

naturally replenish themselves
over time.
•Examples: Solar, wind, water,
biomass, geothermal.
 Non-Renewable
Resources
•Definition: Resources
that exist in a fixed
amount and cannot be
replenished at a rate that
keeps pace with
consumption.
•Examples: Fossil fuels
(coal, oil, natural gas),
minerals.
Forest Resources
Forest Resources: An
Introduction

•Definition: Large areas

dominated by trees and
other woody vegetation.
•Types: Tropical rainforests,
temperate forests, boreal
forests.
Importance of Forests

•Oxygen production.
•Carbon sequestration.
•Biodiversity hotspots.
•Water cycle regulation.
•Soil conservation.
•Climate regulation.
•Timber and non-timber
products.
Causes of
Deforestation

•Agriculture: Clearing land

for crops and grazing.
•Logging: Timber extraction
for construction and
industry.
•Urbanization: Expanding
cities and infrastructure.
•Mining: Extracting
minerals and fossil fuels.
Effects of
Deforestation
•Climate change:
Increased greenhouse
gas emissions.
•Biodiversity loss:
Extinction of species.
•Soil erosion and
degradation.
•Water scarcity: Reduced
rainfall and disrupted
water cycle.
•Desertification: Land
degradation leading to
arid conditions.
Forest Conservation
Efforts
•Reforestation and
afforestation.
•Sustainable forest
management.
•Protected areas and
national parks.
•Reducing
deforestation for
agriculture.
•Promoting alternative
livelihoods.
Water Resources: An
Introduction
•Definition: All the water
available on Earth,
including surface water
(rivers, lakes, oceans) and
groundwater.
•Water Cycle: The
continuous movement of
water between the
atmosphere, land, and
oceans.
Importance of Water

•Essential for human survival

and all living organisms.
•Agriculture: Irrigation for
crop production.
•Industry: Cooling, cleaning,
and production processes.
•Ecosystem health:
Maintaining biodiversity and
aquatic life.
•Hydropower: Generating
renewable energy.
Causes of Water
Scarcity
•Overexploitation: Excessive
withdrawal of groundwater.
•Pollution: Contamination of
water sources.
•Climate change: Altered
rainfall patterns and
increased droughts.
•Population growth:
Increased demand for water.
•Inefficient water use: Water
wastage in agriculture and
industry.
Water Conservation
Strategies

Water-efficient irrigation
techniques.
Wastewater treatment and
reuse.
Rainwater harvesting.
Reducing water consumption in
households and industries.
Protecting water sources from
pollution.
Energy Resources
Energy Resources: An
Introduction

Definition: Natural resources

that can be used to produce
energy.
Types: Renewable and non-
renewable.
Renewable Energy
Sources
Solar energy: Harnessing energy
from the sun.
Wind energy: Utilizing wind
power to generate electricity.
Hydropower: Generating
electricity from flowing water.
Geothermal energy: Using heat
from the Earth's interior.
Biomass energy: Converting
organic matter into energy.
Non-Renewable
Energy Sources
Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, and
natural gas.
Nuclear energy: Using nuclear
fission to generate electricity.
Importance of Energy

Essential for economic

development and modern
society.
Powers industries,
transportation, and homes.
Supports agriculture and food
production.
Enables communication and
technology.
Environmental
Impacts of Energy Use
Climate change: Greenhouse gas
emissions from fossil fuels.
Air and water pollution: Harmful
emissions and waste products.
Land degradation: Mining and
energy infrastructure.
Habitat destruction: Disrupting
ecosystems.
Transition to
Renewable Energy
Investing in renewable energy
technologies.
Improving energy efficiency.
Promoting sustainable
transportation.
Developing smart grids.
Land Resources Land
Resources: An
Introduction

Definition: The portion of the

Earth's surface that is not
covered by water.
Importance: Agriculture,
forestry, urbanization, and
recreation.
Land Degradation
Soil erosion: Loss of topsoil due
to wind and water.
Desertification: Land
degradation leading to arid
conditions.
Deforestation: Clearing of forests
for other land uses.
Soil pollution: Contamination of
soil with harmful substances.
Land Conservation
Practices
Sustainable agriculture: Practices
that protect soil health and
reduce environmental impact.
Afforestation and reforestation:
Planting trees to restore forests.
Conservation tillage: Minimizing
soil disturbance during farming.
Sustainable land use planning:
Zoning and land-use regulations.
 Mineral Resources: An
Introduction
Definition: Naturally occurring
inorganic substances with a
definite chemical composition and
a specific crystal structure.
Examples:
● Metals:
○ Ferrous: Iron, steel
○ Non-ferrous: Copper,
aluminum, gold, silver
● Non-metals: Sand, gravel,
clay, limestone, phosphate
Importance of Mineral
Resources
Industrial Development: Essential
for manufacturing, construction, and
technology.
Economic Growth: Drive economic
development and create jobs.
Energy Production: Used in the
production of energy (e.g., coal,
uranium).

Everyday Life: Found in numerous

everyday products (e.g.,
smartphones, cars, buildings)
Mining and Mineral
Extraction
Surface Mining:

● Open-pit mining, strip mining,

quarrying.
● Large-scale removal of
overburden to access mineral
deposits.

Subsurface Mining:

● Underground mining through

shafts and tunnels.
● Used for deep-seated mineral
deposits.
Environmental
Impacts of Mining
Habitat Destruction: Loss of
biodiversity and disruption of
ecosystems.
Soil Erosion and Degradation:
Destabilization of slopes and
pollution of soil and water.
Water Pollution: Acid mine
drainage, contamination of water
sources.
Air Pollution: Dust and particulate
matter emissions.
Climate Change: Greenhouse gas
emissions from mining activities.
Sustainable Mineral
reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Minimize
Resource consumption and maximize resource
Management utilization.
Improve Mining Techniques: Minimize
environmental impact through technology and
best practices.
Develop Alternative Materials: Explore and
utilize alternative materials to reduce reliance
on certain minerals.
Support Responsible Sourcing: Ensure
ethical and environmentally sound mining
practices.
Conservation and
Recycling
Recycling of metals:
Recovering and reprocessing
metals from waste products.
Urban mining: Extracting
valuable metals from
electronic waste (e-waste).
Mineral recovery from
industrial waste: Recovering
minerals from industrial waste
streams.
The Role of Improved exploration techniques:
More efficient and accurate methods
Technology for locating mineral deposits.
I

Advanced mining technologies:

Minimizing environmental impact and
improving safety.
Mineral processing technologies:
More efficient and environmentally
friendly extraction processes.
Policy and Regulation
Environmental regulations:
Standards for mining
operations to minimize
environmental impact.
Land-use planning: Zoning
and regulations to protect
sensitive areas.
International agreements:
Cooperation on sustainable
mineral resource management.
The Impact of Overexploitation of Natural
Resources & Optimum Use
Balancing Human Needs with Environmental Sustainability
 Overexploitation: The Problem
Overexploitation occurs when we use natural resources at
a rate that exceeds their capacity to regenerate or
replenish. This unsustainable practice depletes our
"natural capital"—the stock of natural resources and
ecosystems that provide us with valuable services. Key
drivers include:

● Population Growth: A larger population demands

more resources.
● Increased Consumption: Modern lifestyles often
involve high levels of resource consumption.
● Economic Growth: Economic development often
prioritizes resource extraction and utilization,
sometimes without sufficient regard for sustainability.
● Technological Advancements: While technology
can improve efficiency, it can also increase our ability
to exploit resources at a faster rate.
 Consequences of Overexploitation
Habitat Loss: Deforestation, wetland
destruction, etc.
Biodiversity Decline: Extinction of
species, disrupted ecosystems.
Climate Change: Increased
greenhouse gas emissions from fossil
fuel use.
Pollution: Air, water, and soil
contamination.
Resource Depletion: Shortages of
water, minerals, and other vital
resources.
 Forests Under Threat
Trees are cut down for timber,
agriculture, and urbanization.
Loss of carbon sinks, leading to
climate change.
Soil erosion, loss of biodiversity,
and disruption of water cycles.
 Optimum Use: The Solution
Sustainable Resource Management
Conservation: Protecting natural
habitats and species.
Efficiency: Reducing waste and using
resources wisely.
Renewable Energy: Transitioning to
solar, wind, and other clean energy
sources.
Recycling & Reuse: Minimizing
waste and recovering valuable
materials.
Sustainable Agriculture: Practices
that protect soil health and
biodiversity.
 Individual Actions
What Can You Do?
Reduce consumption: Buy less, choose
sustainable products.
Conserve energy and water: Use
efficient appliances, reduce waste.
Recycle and compost: Divert materials
from landfills.
Support sustainable businesses: Choose
companies with eco-friendly practices.
Advocate for change: Raise awareness
and support policies that protect the
environment.
Global Efforts Working
Together for a
Sustainable Future
International agreements and
treaties to protect shared
resources.
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) address resource
management and environmental
protection.
Collaboration between
governments, organizations, and
individuals.
Energy Forms and Green Solutions

Exploring
Renewable,
Non-
Renewable,
and Emerging
Energy Sources
 Introduction to Energy
● Definition: Energy is the
capacity to do work and is
essential for modern life.
● Categories: Renewable
and Non-Renewable
Energy.
●Fun Fact: The world
consumes about 580
million terajoules of
 Non-Renewable Energy Sources
● Definition: Energy sources that
cannot be replenished in a short
time.
● Examples: Fossil fuels (coal, oil,
natural gas), Nuclear energy.
● Why it’s used: High energy output,
reliable.
● Limitations:
a. Fossil fuels contribute to 75% of
global CO2 emissions.
b. Limited supply (e.g., oil may last
only 50 more years).
 Thermal Energy
● Source: Burning fossil
fuels.
● Applications: Electricity
generation, heating.
● Challenges: High CO2
emissions, resource
depletion.
● Consumption: Accounts for
40% of global electricity
generation.
 Nuclear Energy
● Source: Nuclear fission of
uranium or plutonium.
● Applications: Electricity
generation, medical uses.
● Challenges: Radioactive
waste, safety concerns.
● Consumption: Provides
10% of global electricity.
 Renewable Energy Sources
● Definition: Energy sources
that are naturally replenished.
● Examples: Solar, Wind,
Geothermal, Biomass,
Hydropower, Biofuel.
● Why it’s important: Clean,
sustainable, reduces
pollution.
● Consumption: Accounts for
20% of global energy use.
 Solar Energy
● Source: Sunlight.
● Applications: Electricity
generation, heating.
● Advantages: Clean,
abundant.
● Consumption: Provides
3% of global electricity.
● Limitations: High initial
cost, depends on weather.
 Wind Energy
● Source: Wind.
● Applications: Electricity
generation.
● Advantages: Sustainable,
low emissions.
● Consumption: Provides 7%
of global electricity.
● Limitations: Noise, impact
on wildlife, needs windy
areas.
 Geothermal Energy
● Source: Heat from the
Earth’s interior.
● Applications: Electricity
generation, heating.
● Advantages: Reliable, low
emissions.
● Consumption: Provides 0.3%
of global electricity.
● Limitations: Limited to
geologically active areas.
 Biomass Energy
● ource: Organic materials
(plants, waste).
● Applications: Electricity
generation, biofuels.
● Advantages: Renewable,
reduces waste.
● Consumption: Accounts for
5% of global energy.
● Limitations: Can emit CO2,
requires large land areas.
 Hydropower Energy
● How it works: Flowing
water turns turbines to
generate electricity.
● Applications: Dams,
rivers.
● Consumption: Provides
16% of global electricity.
● Limitations: Disrupts
ecosystems, high
Green Solutions: New
Energy Sources
● Examples: Hydrogen,
ocean, tidal energy.
● Why they’re important:
Clean, innovative,
sustainable.
● Current Use: Less than
1% of global energy.
 Hydrogen Energy
● How it works: Water is
split into hydrogen and
oxygen (electrolysis).
● Applications: Fuel cells,
transportation.
● Limitations: High
production cost,
storage challenges.
Ocean and Tidal Energy
● How it works: Waves
and tides generate
electricity.
● Applications: Coastal
areas.
● Limitations: Expensive
technology, limited to
coastal regions.