8.2 ESS

8.
2 RESOURCE USE IN SOCIETY
Use notes documents uploaded in the Google drive to read through important concepts of
8.2 thoroughly and then answer the following questions in your notes copy:
1. Define renewable natural capital. [1]

Natural resources that can be replaced at an equal or faster rate than they are used
2. Define non-renewable natural capital. [1]
Natural resources that cannot be replaced at an equal or faster rate than they are used
3. Describe one real-world example of sustainable use of natural capital. [3]
Sustainable forestry that allows forest to regenerate naturally along with utilizing
economic benefits such as wood for timbre. Reduced Impact Logging in Amazon Rainforest
ensure that only mature trees are cut down. This way, the resource is used without
depleting their numbers.
4. Describe one real-world example of unsustainable use of natural capital. [3]
Deforestation in Amazon Forest is unsustainable exploitation depletes rainforest’s
resources faster than they can regenerate. It leads to biodiversity loss and soil
degradation.
5. Outline one real-world example of a renewable natural capital that has been
used unsustainability. [3]
Pacific Bluefin Tuna overfishing is unsustainable exploitation. Fishing rates exceed natural
reproduction rates, leading to decrease in population decline. Population cannot recover
because of catching juvenile fish and disruption in breeding patterns.
6. Outline one real-world example of a non-renewable natural capital that has been
mismanaged. [3]
Oil extraction in Niger Delta contaminates water and soil, leading to persistent
environmental degradation and health issues in locals. The resource has formed over a
million years and cannot be replenished. Poor management of the resource has caused
irreversible damage.
7. Cork trees once had significant value to humans as cork was used as a stopper
in wine
bottles. More modern alternatives made of plastics and rubber are now more
common, and so cork is not as valuable a form of natural capital as it used to be.
Use two real-world examples to describe the dynamic nature of natural capital. [4]
Transition from Whale Oil to Petroleum was caused by technological development. Refinement
of petroleum was a cheaper alternative with more efficient products. Whale oil demand
decreased and now, whales are valued for ecotourism. Furthermore, change in mindset lead
to less reliance on coal in energy sector. Realization occurred due to renewable energy
technologies and concerns for climate change, caused by carbon emissions.
8. Describe the terms “use valuation” and “non-use valuation” in the context of
natural capital. [4]
Use Valuation refers to value derived from direct or indirect use of natural capital, such as
a forest’s value comes from its timber and role in air quality. Whereas, Non-Use valuation
refers to value people assign to natural capital, whether used or not. For example,
conserving natural resources for future generations such as snow leopards
9. Using two real-world examples, explain why it is impossible to put a value on
some natural capital. [5]
The Amazon Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef are examples of natural capital whose
true value cannot be fully measured in monetary terms. The Amazon Rainforest, known
as the "lungs of the Earth," plays a key role in regulating global climate, storing carbon,
and producing oxygen. It is home to countless species, many undiscovered, and provides
food, shelter, and cultural significance to Indigenous tribes. These benefits go beyond
financial value.
Similarly, the Great Barrier Reef is vital for marine biodiversity, supporting thousands of
species and protecting coastlines from erosion. While its tourism industry generates $6.4
billion annually, the reef also holds cultural importance for Indigenous Australians and
potential medical breakthroughs in undiscovered compounds.
10.In your opinion, should the Amazon rainforest be categorized as “use valuation”
or “nonuse valuation” natural capital? Present a range of arguments in your
essay and write a conclusion at the end. [7]
The Amazon rainforest represents a unique natural capital whose classification as either "use
valuation" or "non-use valuation" is highly debated. This essay explores both perspectives to
understand the complexity of its value and argues that such rigid categorization oversimplifies
the Amazon's multifaceted importance.
The Amazon rainforest offers several tangible and measurable benefits that align with use
valuation. It provides essential resources like timber, medicinal plants, and food, while also
generating revenue through ecotourism. Moreover, it delivers crucial ecosystem services such as
carbon storage, climate regulation, and maintaining the water cycle. These services have
immediate and measurable impacts on global well-being. Additionally, the Amazon serves as a
living laboratory for scientific research, supporting biodiversity studies and potential medical
discoveries, which reinforce its value as a resource for direct and indirect use.
On the other hand, the Amazon holds immense non-use value. It has existence value, as one of
the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, harboring countless unique species and ecosystems.
Its bequest value ensures that it is preserved as a natural heritage for future generations,
offering potential discoveries and benefits yet to be realized. The forest’s option value represents
its capacity to solve unknown challenges in the future, such as adaptation strategies for climate
change or breakthroughs in medicine.
A critical aspect often overlooked is the Amazon’s cultural and spiritual importance to Indigenous
peoples. This significance transcends the use/non-use dichotomy, as it represents both the
current cultural value of the forest and the need to preserve it for future generations. The
traditional knowledge and lifestyles tied to the Amazon ecosystem demonstrate how these
categories are deeply interconnected.
The Amazon’s value is also dynamic and evolves with time, technology, and societal needs. What
may seem like non-use value today could become critical use value tomorrow, particularly as
new scientific discoveries and global challenges arise. This dynamic nature highlights the
limitations of attempting to categorize its value into rigid categories.
In conclusion, the Amazon rainforest cannot and should not be categorized exclusively as either
use or non-use valuation natural capital. It exemplifies how these categories often overlap in
complex ecological systems. The true value of the Amazon lies in its ability to provide immediate
benefits, preserve future possibilities, and maintain its intrinsic worth as a natural wonder.

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8.

2 RESOURCE USE IN SOCIETY

1. Define renewable natural capital. [1]

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