Non-renewable resources are things like fossil fuels, minerals, and nuclear energy that can’t be replaced easily. They have a big effect on our environment. It’s important for Year 11 Geography students to learn about these effects so they can understand how we manage resources and protect the environment.

1. Running Out of Resources

Non-renewable resources are limited, which means we will eventually use them all up. For example:

• Oil: By the end of 2021, there were about 1.73 trillion barrels of oil available. At the rate we use oil—about 100 million barrels every day—these reserves could last around 47 years.
• Natural Gas: There are about 7,100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. If we keep using it at the current level of about 3,800 billion cubic feet each year, it could last for 186 years, unless we find more.

2. Damage to the Environment

Getting and using non-renewable resources can really harm the environment. Here are some ways this happens:

• Habitat Destruction: Mining and drilling can destroy natural habitats. For example, parts of the Amazon rainforest, which is home to about 10% of the world’s species, have shrunk by around 17% because of logging and farming, driven by the search for these resources.
• Pollution: When we extract fossil fuels and burn them, we pollute the air, water, and soil. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that air pollution from these activities causes about 4.2 million early deaths each year.

3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Non-renewable resources contribute a lot to climate change. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). Here are some important facts:

• In 2021, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels were about 36.4 billion metric tons.
• A group called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that if the world temperature goes up more than 1.5°C, we could face really serious problems for our environment and societies everywhere.

4. Effects on Society

Relying on non-renewable resources can create social and economic challenges:

• Energy Security: Countries that rely a lot on non-renewable resources can face energy problems. For example, by 2021, the European Union imported around 90% of its oil and 74% of its gas. This makes them vulnerable to global conflicts and price changes.
• Economic Problems: The way fossil fuel prices go up and down can make economies unstable, especially in countries that depend on these resources. Nations like Venezuela and Nigeria have faced economic crises because of oil price changes.

5. Difficulties in Transitioning

As we try to move towards renewable energy, relying on non-renewable resources creates several challenges:

• Incompatible Infrastructure: Our current systems, like power plants and cars, are built for fossil fuels, making it expensive and hard to switch to cleaner energy.
• High Costs: Transitioning to renewable energy requires a lot of money. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that we’ll need about $130 trillion by 2050 for a sustainable energy future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, non-renewable resources greatly affect our environment in many ways. We face issues of resource depletion, environmental damage, greenhouse gas emissions, social challenges, and the difficulties in switching to renewable energy. Understanding these issues is vital for raising awareness about sustainability in future generations. We need to use our resources carefully and take care of our environment.