IB Design Technology 2.1 Resources and Reserves Notes

Addressing Resource Depletion and Promoting Sustainability

1. Non-renewable resources are running out (this is not fake news btw)
2. So designers need to find innovative solutions to meet basic human needs
3. It makes sense to focus on renewable and sustainable resources to address this challenge

Understanding Resource Types

Renewable Resources

1. Solar Energy – Captured from the sun using solar panels, providing an unlimited source of power.
2. Wind Energy – Generated by wind turbines converting wind into electricity.
3. Hydropower – Uses flowing water (rivers, dams) to produce energy.
4. Geothermal Energy – Harnesses heat from within the Earth for electricity and heating.
5. Biomass – Organic materials like wood, crop waste, and algae used for energy.
6. Tidal & Wave Energy – Power generated by ocean tides and waves

Non-Renewable Resources

1. Fossil Fuels – Includes coal, oil, and natural gas, formed over millions of years from decomposed organic matter.
2. Nuclear Fuels – Uranium and plutonium used in nuclear reactors; these elements are finite and require mining.
3. Metals & Minerals – Resources like gold, silver, copper, and aluminum, which take millions of years to form.
4. Rare Earth Elements – Crucial for electronics (e.g., lithium, neodymium) but found in limited quantities and difficult to extract.

Comparison of Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

Reserves and whether or not they're worth extracting

1. Reserves are resources that you can extract economically
2. It can be the case that some reserves exist but it makes no sense to extract them because the cost to do so exceeds the value you get when sold

Political and economical importance of reserves

Understanding Land-Based Resources

1. Where Resources Are Found
   1. Some countries have a lot of natural resources, while others have very few.
   2. This can affect their economy and political power.
   3. Example: South Korea uses a lot of LPG (a type of gas) but has none of its own, so it must buy all of it from other countries.
2. Money vs. Politics
   1. Countries need to balance making money from resources with political issues, like relying too much on other nations for supplies.
3. Effects on Local People
   1. Good: Jobs and more money for the country.
   2. Bad: Some people may lose their homes, and the richest get richer while the poor stay poor.
   3. Example: Big companies pay governments to take resources, but much of the money leaves the country instead of helping locals.
4. Rare Earth Minerals: Valuable But Dangerous
   1. These materials are used in phones, computers, and batteries, but digging them up can harm the land and people nearby.

Important Things to Think About When Using Resources

1. Starting Costs
   1. Digging for resources is very expensive. Governments or big companies usually pay for it.
2. Is It Worth It?
   1. The resource must be easy to reach and sell for enough money to make mining worth it.
3. How It Affects People
   1. Good: New jobs, businesses, and better roads.
   2. Bad: Some people lose their homes, and workers might be paid very little.
4. Damage to the Environment
   1. Mining and drilling can destroy forests, pollute water, and harm animals.
5. What Happens When Resources Run Out?
6. Who will clean up?
7. What happens to workers?
8. Will old mining areas be fixed or left abandoned?