KS3 · Chemistry

Sustainable use of Earth's resources

Is the wood from a tree renewable? Annoyingly, it depends on whether somebody plants the next tree. Sort the resources below and see where the line falls.

Chemistry · Resources

Will it run out?

Is this resource renewable or non-renewable? Pick an item, then pick its side.

Still to sort

Renewable (0)

Will not run out, because it is replenished more quickly than we use it up.

Where the line is: Renewable does not mean 'we can use it over and over again'. It means it will not run out.

Non-renewable (0)

If it is used up and not replaced, it may run out.

Where the line is: The question is not 'is it natural?' but 'is it replaced as fast as we use it?'

10 of 10 still to sort.

Sort each resource. Commit to a side first, then read the reason.

Chemistry · Resources

What does 'renewable' really mean?

Your friend says: 'Wood, water, stone and apples are natural resources, found in the environment. And a renewable resource is one you can use over and over.'

Which idea is closest to what you think?

A renewable resource is one that we can use over and over again.If something is a natural resource, it must be renewable.Bricks and bread are natural resources, because they come from nature.A renewable resource will not run out, because it is replenished more quickly than we use it up.

How sure are you?

I'm sureI think soI'm guessing

A renewable resource is one that we can use over and over again.

This is a common misconception

Easy trap, and the one most people fall into. The correct definition is that a renewable resource will not run out, not that we can use it over and over again. The question to ask is always: will it run out if we keep using it like this?

If something is a natural resource, it must be renewable.

This is a common misconception

Natural resources are substances found in the environment, such as stone, apples, wood and water. But found in nature is not the same as renewable. If natural resources are used up and not replaced, they may run out. Coal, oil and gas are very difficult to replace, because they take millions of years to make in the first place.

Bricks and bread are natural resources, because they come from nature.

This is a common misconception

Not quite. Bricks and bread are manufactured: they are made from natural resources, but they are not natural resources themselves. A natural resource is something you can find within the environment, such as stone, apples, wood or water.

A renewable resource will not run out, because it is replenished more quickly than we use it up.

This matches the evidence

Yes. That is the whole idea. And notice what it depends on: how fast it is replaced compared with how fast we use it. That is why wood can be renewable or not, depending on whether trees are replanted.

Renewable = replenished faster than we use it. A related word is sustainable: a resource is used sustainably if it can be used for as long as it is needed without running out, which keeps it available for future generations.

Predict, then check

Waste is anything we throw away, whether we have used it or not. Now think about a washed-up plastic food tray.

You could wash the tray and use it again, or put it in the recycling bin. Which cuts waste more?

The recycling route

To recycle is to convert waste material into new products. Step through the journey from bin to new material.

CollectedThe sorted waste is collected.
Taken to a recycling centreThe collected waste is taken to a recycling centre.
Sorted and processedAt the recycling centre the waste is sorted and processed.

Where the rest goes

LandfillvsIncineration

Waste that is not recycled goes to landfill or to an incinerator. Compare the gas each one gives off.

Focus

Gas it releases

Landfill

Methane, which is highly flammable and a greenhouse gas

Incineration

Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and other air pollutants

The insight

Different gas, same problem: both are greenhouse gases.

What it is

Landfill

Disposal of waste by burying it

Incineration

A furnace that burns waste, often to generate electricity

Where the gas comes from

Landfill

Some waste put into landfill decomposes and produces the methane

Incineration

The waste is burned in the furnace

Further harm

Landfill

Leaks can contaminate the surrounding land

Incineration

Other air pollutants are released alongside the carbon dioxide

A source of greenhouse gases?

Landfill

Yes

Incineration

Yes

Chemistry · Resources

Make it more sustainable

A school wants to be more sustainable. Write down what it could do about (a) the cars that bring people to school, (b) the school building and its roof, and (c) the things it buys. Give a reason each time. [5 marks]

Your answer

0 words · your answer stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

The mark scheme

Says that petrol and diesel cars cannot be sustainable, because petrol and diesel are types of oil and oil is not sustainable. (1 mark)
Says that electric cars are only using sustainable electricity if the electricity used to charge them comes from a renewable resource such as wind, solar or tidal, rather than from burning coal, oil or gas. (1 mark)
Suggests building with wood from sustainably managed woodland, or with straw, rather than with concrete blocks and mortar. (1 mark)
Suggests solar panels on the roof, which use sunlight, a renewable resource, to produce electricity. (1 mark)
Says a product is more sustainable if it lasts longer, is made of materials that are easy to replace and can be recycled easily, or is easy to repair. (1 mark)

Model answer

(a) Petrol and diesel cars cannot be sustainable, because petrol and diesel are types of oil and oil is not sustainable. Electric cars are only sustainable if the electricity that charges them comes from a renewable resource such as wind, solar or tidal, not from burning coal, oil or gas. (b) The building could use wood from sustainably managed woodland, or straw, instead of concrete blocks and mortar. Solar panels on the roof would use sunlight, a renewable resource, to produce electricity. (c) The school could buy products that last longer, are made of easily replaced and recyclable materials, and are easy to repair.

Every answer here asks the same two questions: will it run out if we keep using it like this, and could we have avoided the waste?

WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED

A quick recap of today's lesson.

Will it run out if we keep using it like this? And could we have avoided making that waste?

What you need to know

Natural resources are substances found in the environment, such as stone, apples, wood and water. Bricks and bread are made from natural resources.
A renewable resource will not run out, because it is replenished more quickly than we use it up. It does not mean 'can be used over and over'.
Wood is renewable only if we use it sustainably: trees must be replanted as quickly as they are used.
Sustainable use of resources helps to make sure they are available for future generations.
Reducing and reusing are more effective than recycling. Recycling is a last resort, and waste that is not recycled goes to landfill or incineration.

The big picture

A renewable resource will not run out, because it is replenished more quickly than we use it up. Sustainable use keeps resources available for future generations. Waste is best dealt with by reducing and reusing first, with recycling as a last resort, and what we cannot recycle ends up in landfill or incinerators.

Key points

1Coal, oil and gas take millions of years to make, so they are very difficult to replace and may run out. Petrol is made from oil, and plastic is made from oil, so neither is renewable.

2A fuel is a substance we burn for heating things. Natural gas and petrol are examples.

3A resource is sustainable if it can be used for as long as it is needed, in a way that does not make it run out.

4Waste is anything we throw away, whether we have used it or not.

5Landfill buries waste and can release methane, a flammable greenhouse gas. Incinerators burn waste, often to generate electricity, and release carbon dioxide and other air pollutants.

6A product is more sustainable if it lasts longer, is made of materials that are easy to replace and recycle, and is easy to repair.

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Worked example

Problem

A school fits solar panels that cost £120,000. Suppose they save the school £8,000 every year. How many years until the savings have paid for the panels? (These are made-up numbers, just for practice.)

⚠ Watch out

Calling wood just 'renewable', or just 'non-renewable'. Wood is renewable only if trees are replanted as quickly as they are used. If they are taken down and not replaced, it is being used in a non-renewable way.

🧠

Memory hook

A tree is renewable only if somebody plants the next one. And with waste: reduce and reuse before you recycle.

✓

Check yourself

A friend says: 'Straw is renewable because you can use it again.' Explain what is wrong with their reason, and give the right reason why straw is renewable.

Flashcards

(15)

What is a natural resource?

A substance found within the environment, such as stone, apples, wood and water.

Why aren't bricks and bread natural resources?

They are manufactured: they are made from natural resources, but they are not natural resources themselves.

What is a fuel?

A substance we burn for heating things, for example natural gas and petrol.

What is a renewable resource?

One that will not run out, because it is replenished more quickly than we use it up.

Does 'renewable' mean we can use it over and over again?

No. The correct meaning is that it will not run out.

Why are coal, oil and gas very difficult to replace?

They take millions of years to make in the first place.

Why are petrol and plastic not renewable?

Both are made from oil, and oil cannot be replaced.

When is wood renewable?

Only if trees are replanted as quickly as they are used. If they are taken down and not replaced, it is used in a non-renewable way.

What is a sustainable resource?

One that can be used for as long as it is needed, in a way that does not make it run out.

Why does sustainable use matter?

It helps make sure resources are available for future generations.

What is waste?

Anything we throw away, whether we have used it or not.

Which is more effective at cutting waste: reuse and reduce, or recycling?

Reuse and reduce. Recycling is a last resort.

What is landfill, and what does it release?

Disposal of waste by burying it. Some waste decomposes and produces methane, which is highly flammable and a greenhouse gas.

What is an incinerator, and what does it release?

A furnace that burns waste, often to generate electricity. It produces carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and other air pollutants.

When are electric cars sustainable?

Only when the electricity that charges them comes from a renewable resource such as wind, solar or tidal.

Tap any card to flip it, or use Study as deck to go through them one at a time. In the full lesson these run as a spaced-repetition deck — you rate each card Hard, Good or Easy and the tricky ones keep coming back until they stick.

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Will it run out?

What does 'renewable' really mean?

Make it more sustainable

More KS3 Chemistry topics