Describe two impacts of obtaining non renewable resources and how these have been affected by increasing population
Obtaining non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and minerals, has significant impacts on the environment and society. These impacts have been greatly amplified by increasing population.
1. Environmental degradation: The extraction and processing of non-renewable resources often result in significant environmental degradation. For example, mining operations for minerals can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of water sources. Similarly, the extraction of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas contributes to air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and habitat destruction. With increasing population, the demand for these resources has grown exponentially, leading to intensified extraction activities and consequently, more severe environmental damage.
2. Climate change: The extraction and burning of fossil fuels are major contributors to climate change. The combustion of these resources releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and leading to global warming. As the world's population has increased, so has the consumption of energy derived from fossil fuels. This increased energy demand, particularly in developing countries, has accelerated the release of greenhouse gases, exacerbating the negative impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and shifts in ecosystems are some of the consequences of climate change caused by the extraction and use of non-renewable resources.
In summary, the increasing population has significantly affected the impacts of obtaining non-renewable resources. The growing demand for these resources has led to intensified extraction activities, causing extensive environmental degradation and contributing to climate change. It is therefore important to explore and invest in renewable energy sources and promote sustainable consumption patterns to mitigate these impacts.