Mod 8 Lesson 1- Renewable Resources

Renewable Resources

• Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replenish faster than humans use them
• Examples include solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal
• Natural resources exist independently of human actions

Non-renewable Resources

• Resources that cannot be replaced once used
• Examples include coal, oil, gas, nuclear energy, and iron

Resource Extraction

• Process of removing resources from the Earth
• Methods vary depending on the resource (mining, drilling, harvesting)

Waste Management

• Waste is a product or substance no longer needed
• Ecological footprint measures resource consumption and waste generation
• Infrastructure supports societal function and involves basic physical and organisational structures

Ecological Footprint

• Measures resource consumption and waste generation
• Indicates the rate at which resources are consumed and waste created

Infrastructure

• Basic physical and organisational structures for any society or enterprise
• Includes facilities, services and other necessary structures for economy
• Vital for any society or enterprise to work properly

Recyclable Materials

• Materials processed to make new materials/objects
• Improves waste management efficiently, protecting the environment

Biodegradable Materials

• Materials that break down naturally after interacting with biological factors
• Encourages waste management efficiency and environmental protection.

Sustainability

• Studying the dynamic relationship between humans and the environment
• Ensuring natural resources are maintained for long term usage and environmental protection

Habitat

• Natural environment or home to plants, animals and other organisms
• Essential for preservation and thriving for organisms

Pollution

• Introducing substances or forms of energy into the environment at rates faster than it can disperse safely.
• Negative consequence of human action, harming the environment.

Initiatives

• An introductory or step, and an initiative taken to start a project, or to solve a problem.

Inquiry Question 1: How are Australia's natural resources extracted, used and managed?

• Renewable resources in Australia: agricultural (terrestrial and aquatic)

Agricultural Resources- Terrestrial

• Farming in Australia is worth $60 Billion
• Farmers export 77% of their produce, contributing $44.8 Billion to the economy
• Agriculture-related jobs employ 1.6 million Australians

Agricultural Resources- Aquatic

• Aquaculture farms aquatic animals and plants for food
• Australia produces 230,000 tonnes of seafood annually
• Fisheries and aquaculture contribute $2.4 billion to Australia's economy.
• Indigenous Australians farmed eels for at least 6000 years
• Aquatic organisms are now farmed in salt/fresh water cages and ponds.

Water as a Resource

• Australia is the driest inhabited continent
• Water use in Australia is high due to agriculture and other consumption
• Water quality is good but vulnerable to droughts and low rainfall, which results in water shortages

Water Consumption

• Household use, livestock use, and irrigation use are the main users of water
• Groundwater abstraction and total water withdrawal figures are shown, showing an increase over time.

Water Sources

• Rivers and reservoirs provide water for drinking, agriculture, industry, and recreation
• They support ecosystems across Australia
• Dams provide water for human consumption

Energy Sources

• Electricity generation in Australia in 2017:
  • Black coal 47%
  • Natural gas 21%
  • Renewables 15%
  • Small-scale solar PV 20.7%
  • Biomass 9.3%
  • Wind 32.4%
  • Large-scale solar PV 2%
  • Hydro 35.6%
  • Oil 2%
• Renewable energy sources make up approximately 18% of Australia's total energy consumption

Energy Sources Location

• Map showing potential energy source locations across Australia
• Identified resources include tidal, wave, solar, geothermal, and wind

Types of Renewable Energy

• Tidal power: uses turbines to harness tidal changes
• Wave energy: uses equipment placed on water surface to capture and convert wave movements
• Advantages/Disadvantages of each type are considered
• Locations where required resources are available

Other Information

• There is a list of other energy and water resources
• Study notes cover resource locations, types, and environmental impact.