After you investigate the effects of technological change on natural resource use, what statement could you make?(1 point)
Since the mid-eighteenth century, people have gradually transitioned from riding horses to driving automobiles,
flying airplanes, and launching rockets to space.
People learned how to use trees to make paper more than 2,000 years ago.
People used to produce electricity by burning coal, but today electricity can be produced using sunlight,
running water, wind, and Earth’s internal heat.
People have been using iron since the beginning of the Iron Age hundreds of years ago.
Statement: Over time, technological advancements have led to a significant shift in natural resource use, resulting in the transition from traditional methods to more modern and sustainable alternatives.
The statement that could be made after investigating the effects of technological change on natural resource use is:
"People used to produce electricity by burning coal, but today electricity can be produced using sunlight, running water, wind, and Earth’s internal heat."
To investigate the effects of technological change on natural resource use, one could examine various aspects such as transportation, energy production, and resource utilization throughout history. Based on the provided statements, it can be concluded that technological advancements have indeed influenced natural resource use in significant ways.
1. Transition from riding horses to driving automobiles, flying airplanes, and launching rockets to space: This statement highlights the progression of transportation methods over time. It suggests that the development of new technologies, such as automobiles, airplanes, and spacecraft, has reduced reliance on horses as a means of transportation. This shift likely involved the use of different materials and energy sources, potentially altering natural resource consumption patterns.
2. Use of trees to make paper for over 2,000 years: This statement acknowledges the long-standing practice of using trees as a natural resource to produce paper. It suggests that the technology for utilizing trees in papermaking has existed for a significant period, likely resulting in the utilization of large quantities of wood resources.
3. Transition from coal-burning electricity production to alternative methods: This statement highlights the shift in energy production methods. It implies that, in the past, coal was primarily burned to generate electricity. However, with the advancement of technology, new sources such as sunlight, running water, wind, and Earth's internal heat are now considered viable alternatives for electricity production. This transformation likely leads to a decreased reliance on coal and a diversification of energy sources, impacting the consumption of coal and other natural resources.
4. Utilization of iron since the beginning of the Iron Age: This statement recognizes the long historical usage of iron as a natural resource. It signifies that iron has been utilized for centuries since the advent of the Iron Age. Although it doesn't explicitly address technological change, it implies that through technological advancements, iron industry practices might have evolved, potentially affecting iron resource consumption.
In summary, based on the provided statements, one can conclude that technological change has influenced natural resource use in various domains, including transportation, energy production, and material utilization, throughout history.