g45y45

Resource Use and Sustainability

• Sustainable resource utilization is an essential skill that involves preserving the world for future generations.
• To achieve this, lifestyles must change, and resource consumption must decrease.
• Reducing resource consumption can mitigate climate change, soil erosion, and dependence on nonrenewable energy sources.
• Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power is essential.
• Sustainable resource management is a pivotal skill for future generations.
• A shift towards sustainable practices across social, environmental, and economic spheres ensures the wellbeing of the planet and its inhabitants.

Resources and Economic Development

• Resources are critical to society and encompass the natural environment and economic assets.
• Resources determine a country's economic development and living standards.
• Renewable resources regenerate or are continuously usable without depletion, such as solar energy, wind, and water.
• Nonrenewable resources, like gold, oil, and coal, cannot be easily replenished.
• Countries with significant resource bases, such as the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, have achieved higher living standards.

Resource Exploitation and Depletion

• Resource exploitation becomes a concern when it causes depletion.
• Depletion happens when resources are consumed faster than they can be replenished.
• Overconsumption, population growth, technological/industrial development, and mining activities cause resource depletion.
• Unsustainable exploitation challenges long-term economic and environmental health.

Problems from Resource Exploitation

• Deforestation increases soil erosion and atmospheric CO2 levels, potentially worsening global warming.
• Burning fossil fuels releases gases that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

The Concept of Sustainability

• Sustainability means maintaining activities without long-term environmental damage or resource depletion
• Encompasses social, environmental, and economic dimensions.
• Aims for balanced resource use considering ecological protection, economic growth, and social wellbeing.
• Sustainable practices include ecotourism, recycling, soil conservation, reforestation, and organic farming.
• Non-sustainable practices include large-scale tourism, deforestation, and reliance on fossil fuels.

Soil Formation and Composition

• Soil supports plant growth, purifies water, and sustains ecological balance.
• Weathering of parent rock forms regolith.
• True soil emerges with the incorporation of water, air, and organic matter (both decaying and living).
• Soil horizons (layers) develop, creating a mature soil profile (O, A, B, and C horizons).
• O Horizon: Decaying plant matter transitioning into humus.
• A Horizon (Topsoil): The most fertile layer due to rich organic material.
• B Horizon (Subsoil): Contains minerals leached from the A horizon, less fertile.
• C Horizon: Weathered parent material contributing minerals to the soil.

Soil Forming Factors

• Time: Thousands of years are needed for soil to mature and become suitable for agriculture.
• Parent Material: The underlying rock dictates mineral composition.
• Climate: Temperature, moisture, and wind affect soil formation.
• Climate determines weathering rate, vegetation type, and organic matter content.
• Organisms: Vegetation and soil organisms enrich the soil with humus, enhancing fertility.
• Relief: Landscape aspects like slope affect sunlight, evaporation, and water runoff, influencing soil.

Physical Properties of Soil

• Colour indicates the conditions soil was formed under.
• Texture: Particle size ranges from sand to clay.
• pH Index: Acidity or alkalinity affects nutrient availability and plant growth.
• Structure: How soil particles aggregate affects water infiltration and root penetration.

Soil as a Resource

• Soil is essentially a nonrenewable resource because of its slow formation.
• Soil conservation is essential for sustainable agriculture and ecosystems.
• Soil requires careful management and conservation.
• Strategies can be developed to ensure its sustainability for future generations through understanding its formation, properties, and the challenges it faces.
• Soil is critical in ecological balance, food security, and environmental health.

Soil Erosion - Causes and Effects

• Soil erosion is accelerated by human activities.
• Wind and water erosion removes topsoil, impacting soil quality and agricultural productivity.
• Poor farming practices like overgrazing and improper ploughing exacerbate erosion.
• Onsite effects of erosion: reduced soil fertility.
• Offsite effects of erosion: sedimentation in water bodies and agricultural pollution.

Management Strategies for Soil Conservation

• Regulatory measures: Implementing livestock limits.
• Education: Raising public awareness of sustainable practices.
• Agricultural practices: Contour ploughing, rotational grazing, and maintaining vegetation cover.

Generating Electricity from Coal

• Electricity generation from coal involves pulverizing coal into powder.
• The coal powder is blown into boilers, and the burning coal produces heat.
• The heat turns water into steam, which propels turbine blades.
• The turbine rotates a coil within a generator, producing electric current.
• The current is distributed through power lines to consumers.

Coal-based Electricity - Advantages

• Abundant coal reserves are available in South Africa.
• Coal-fired power stations offer dependable electricity generation.
• Existing infrastructure supports coal-based electricity production.
• Coal is the most economical and energy-efficient source for generating electricity.

Coal-based Electricity - Disadvantages

• Coal combustion results in emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, organic compounds, heavy metals, radioactive elements, greenhouse gases, and fly ash.
• Building coal-fired power stations is costly and takes a long time.
• The primary coal fields are in Mpumalanga, restricting the siting of power stations.

Environmental Impact of Coal Mining

• Open cast mining significantly alters landscapes.
• Underground mining leads to fatalities, injuries, and chronic health issues.
• Acid mine drainage occurs when water interacts with sulfur-bearing rocks, producing sulfuric acid.
• This can acidify soils and water bodies, posing a threat to ecosystems.

Environmental Impact of Coal Combustion

• Coal combustion contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming.
• Produces substantial amounts of CO2, SO2, airborne particles, and fly ash.
• Creates local environmental and health problems.
• The clustering of power stations in Mpumalanga exacerbates local pollution issues.

Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear energy is derived from the nucleus of an atom.
• Used to convert water into steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.

South Africa's Long-term Energy Needs

• Eskom is building new coal-fired power stations (Medupi and Kisule).
• A 20-year plan includes increasing nuclear power to 14%.
• Diversifying the energy mix by 2030: coal (48%), nuclear (14%), renewable energy (16%), gas turbine (14%), pump storage (6%), and hydroelectric power (2%).
• Eskom is exploring renewable energy options.
• Coal remains the most cost-effective choice.
• There is limited potential for additional hydroelectric power in South Africa.
• Potential exists for importing electricity from hydroelectric plants on the Congo and Zambezi rivers.
• The plan aims to develop a sustainable electricity investment strategy for South Africa in the next 25 years.

Solar Radiation

• Solar radiation, wind, wave power, hydroelectricity, and biomass are nonconventional energy resources.
• The sun's energy output in one hour could power the entire Earth for one year.
• Photovoltaics: Solar power conversion into electricity.
• Silicon generates an electrical charge when exposed to sunlight.
• Silicon from one ton of sand can generate as much solar power as burning 500,000 tons of coal.

Renewable Energy Plants in South Africa

• In November 2011, a R1.9 billion deal was signed to develop renewable energy.
• Included the Sere wind power and Upington solar power projects.
• Each project is designed to produce 100 MW of power with future expansion plans.
• These projects are the largest renewable energy initiatives in Africa.

The Future of Nonconventional Energy in South Africa

• South Africa's reliance on coal for electricity is expected to continue in the near term.
• New coal-powered stations are built at Mudupi and Kusile.
• There is debate over the impact of biofuels on commodity prices and affordability.
• Solar and wind power are advancing in technology, with reducing costs and an increase in global market penetration.

Innovations for the Future

• High Altitude Wind Power: Significant energy potential from wind streams in the Earth's troposphere. Potential estimated at over 850 terrawatts, dwarfing humanity's annual energy consumption of about 17 TW.
• Artificial Photosynthesis: An 'artificial leaf' converts sunlight into storable chemical fuel.
• Underwater Kites: Devices anchored to the seafloor generate energy from tidal currents.
• Solar Buildings: Integrating solar energy generation into building designs.

Effects of Using More Nonconventional Energy in South Africa - Economy

• Electricity supply must expand with economic growth for the South African economy to thrive.
• Renewable energy is expected to constitute 42% of all new electricity generation in the next two decades.

Effects of Using More Nonconventional Energy in South Africa - Environment

• Switching to renewable energy is crucial for mitigating global warming and reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
• Wind power is a clean energy source, but faces opposition due to noise, visual impact, and potential harm to wildlife.
• Solar power generates no air pollution during operation.
• Environmental concerns regarding solar power relate to its production, installation, and disposal.

Energy Needs and Sustainability

• South Africa addresses its energy needs while promoting sustainable development and reducing poverty.
• The country needs to increase its electricity production and shift to cleaner, greener sources to ensure economic stability.
• South Africa faces a dual electricity supply problem that necessitates not only an increase in electricity prodcution, but also a shift towards cleaner, greener electricity sources.

Greener Economies

• A green economy prioritizes human wellbeing and minimizes environmental risks.
• Characterized by low carbon emissions and efficient resource use.
• Transitioning to a green economy involves enhancing energy efficiency, investing in renewable energy, and promoting sustainable practices.
• A green economy aims to reduce the environmental impact of economic growth.

Sustainability

• Sustainable living reduces the carbon footprint to minimize the use of Earth’s natural resources.
• Involves changes in transportation, energy consumption, and dietary habits.
• Sustainability addresses environmental, economic, and social issues, as energy shortages exacerbate poverty.
• Sustainability adresses not only enviornmental concerns by also economic and social issues, as energy shortages can exacerbate poverty and underdevelopment.

Responsibilities of Different Actors

• Governments: Enact legislation to curb emissions, promote education, and set examples.
• Businesses: Adopt greener practices, reduce emissions, enhance waste management, and conserve resources.
• Individuals: "Think globally, act locally," reduce personal carbon footprints through mindful consumption.
• Governments play a pivotal role by enacting legislation to curb carbon emissions, promoting environmental education, and setting examples through sustainable practices in government operations.
• South Africa's hosting of the COP 17 conference in Durban highlights its commitment to addressing climate change on a global scale.
• Businesses can contribute by adopting greener practices, such as reducing emissions, enhancing waste management, and conserving water and electricity. These efforts not only help the environment but can also lead to cost savings and improved public relations.
• Individuals are encouraged to adopt the principle of "Think globally, act locally," taking actions within their communities to promote environmental health. Reducing personal carbon footprints through mindful consumption and sustainable living practices can have a significant collective impact.

The Carbon Footprint

• Carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly.
• Primary footprint: Direct emissions from fossil fuel consumption.
• Secondary footprint: Indirect emissions associated with products used.
• Reducing the carbon footprint is essential for mitigating climate change.
• The challenge of meeting its changing energy needs is intertwined with the goals of sustainable development and poverty reduction.
• Through concerted efforts across government, business, and individual levels, the country aims to increase its electricity supply in a manner that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. South Africa aims to increase its electricity supply in a manner that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.
• For South Africa, addressing its changing energy needs is intertwined with the goals of sustainable development and poverty reduction
• A multifaceted approach is essential for ensuring a sustainable future for South Africa and its people, highlighting the importance of green economies and sustainable living in addressing contemporary global challenges.