Non-Renewable Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Japan and Haiti - Case Study Example

Non-Renewable Natural Resources & Environmental Sustainability of Japan & Haiti al Introduction Economic development is based on use of resources such as natural resources, land and energy. However exploration and use of natural resources may have negative impacts on the environment as well as the whole ecosystem (European Environment Agency, 2005). Sustainable use of resources ensures economic development for the current generation while ensuring that the welfare of the future is not affected. Natural resources can be renewable or non renewable. Non renewable resources are important in economic development across the globe since they are used for production of fuel, gas, electricity and other manufactured goods. Natural resources can be classified as renewable and non renewable resources (University of California College Prep, 2009). Depletion rate of non renewable resources is higher compared to their formation rate and thus their reserves can in the long run be depleted. Interesting over 85 percent energy consumed across the globe is from non renewable. Renewable resources are resources that replenished naturally within a short period of time. They include wind, geothermal, solar, water and biomass. They occur naturally in the ecosystem. They are commonly used in developing and under developed nations such as Haiti as sources of energy. Non renewable resources include fossil fuels (coal, petroleum oil and natural gas) and nuclear energy (University of California College Prep, 2009). Non renewable sources of energy are commonly used in developed countries such as Japan. They are naturally found below the crust and thus are extracted to the earth service. These substance as well as extraction process can be harmful to the environment, organisms and ecosystem. Other non renewable resource includes minerals and metals. The world has experienced scarcity of non renewable resources over the last century. Exploration of non renewable resources is a major concern since they contribute to economical, environmental and social sustainability. This study will analyze the relationship between non renewable natural resources and environmental sustainability in Japan, a developing country and Haiti under developing country. Use of non renewable resources and its impact on environment Non renewable resources include fossil fuels, nuclear energy, minerals, metals and land. They are resources that occur naturally but their rate of depletion is higher compared to their formation and therefore their continued use is not sustainable (University of California College Prep, 2009). Their formation has occurred over millions of years and they are found below the earth crust. Organism and ecosystems have evolved over a long period of time without interacting with these resources. When these resources are extracted to the earth’s service, they can be harmful to they can negatively affect the ecosystem and harm the organism. The amount of this alien substances in the earth surface have increased over the last two century as human explore the non renewable resources for human uses such as manufacturing of good, sources of energy and fuel production. Energy is key factor in development of any nation for transport, cooking, manufacturing and heating. Developed and developing nations depend on non renewable sources of energy. Globally, about 85 percent of the total energy is derived from non renewable sources of energy. The most recommended solution to depletion of these resources is reuse and recycling (Berry, n.d.). The use of non renewable resources is irreversible but their use and their impact to the environment can be reduced by sustainable management and efficient production from extraction, use and up to the waste. The conservation options include use of fuel efficient mode of transport, conservative use of energy at home and in manufacturing, reduction of materials used, substitution with renewable resources, recycling and reuse. The availability of non renewable resources depends on the current rate of use (European Environment Agency, 2005). Fossil fuels Fuels are most important natural resource globally. They are currently the major sources of energy and electricity globally. The figure1 below shows sources of energy and electricity in United States of America in the year 2008. There is need for intervention to ensure sustainability for future use (Ayers, 2011). They include coal, oil and gas. Figure1: Sources of energy and electricity in United States of America in 2008. Sources: Ayers, 2011 Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel across the globe with its reserves exceeding trillion metric tons. Mostly found in Asia, Europe and United States of America. They produce large amount of energy. It has been formed below the crust over a period of many years from residues swamp plants. As the remains are buried deep into the crust they form coal due to increase in temperature and pressure (University of California College Prep, 2009). Coal formation takes a long period of time and therefore it’s a non renewable resource that could be depleted in the next 60 to 70 years under the current rate of increase in mining of coal (Ayers, 2011). Under sustainable exploration it would take 300 years. When coal is excavated to the ground surface they cause environmental degradation, pollution of the atmosphere, destruction of ecosystem and organism. Burning of coal also releases greenhouses gases such as harmful sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and heavy metals to the atmosphere. The remains after burning coal are also harmful to environment. Other harmful effects of coal mining include death and injuries due to collapsing of mines and chemical explosion. The main use of coal is for power generation. It is also use for domestic cooking and heating. About 5 billion metric tons of coal is used yearly globally. These harmful effects can be reduced through use of proper mining methods and development of cleaner coal burning plants that minimizes the emissions to the atmosphere. Oil is the liquid petroleum that was formed in rock over a long period of time from animal and plant remains. The remains are buried deep into the earth crust. This leads to increase in temperature and pressure that fastens the formation of oil. Its reserves are found in porous rocks for example limestone and sandstones (University of California College Prep, 2009). The porous rocks are found below the no porous rocks of earth crust. Oil reservoirs are mostly located near tectonic plate borders since these areas have good conditions for formation of oil or crude oil. Oil mining is through drilling of wells into the reservoirs of gas and oil. The oil is then pumped to the earth surface through various methods. It is then processed to usable forms such as gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, heating oil, raw materials for plastic, industrial chemical, and tar among others. Oil is mostly found in Middle East, Africa and North America. At the current rate of consumption, formation and discovery oil reserves may be exhausted in the next in the next 30 years. Negative environmental impacts include release of green house gases such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, oil spills during drilling can affect ecosystems, animals and plants. Building of infrastructures to access oil wells also has negative impacts on environment and natural resources. Natural gas and crude oil are found in the same reservoirs since they are formed from same raw materials and same process. Oil converts o natural gas when buried deeper thus higher pressure and temperature. It is the cleanest fossil fuel. Oil and gas are found under the non porous rock but the gas is above oil due to low density. Natural gas mainly contains methane as well as other gases such as ethane, butane and propane (University of California College Prep, 2009). The gas is processed into Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), piped natural gases used for powering vehicle, heating and cooking in developed countries and manufacturing of fertilizer. It is estimated that the current reservoirs of natural gas can last of about 100 years at the current rate of consumption (Ayers, 2011). Reservoirs are found Middle East and Eastern Europe. Natural gas is less harmful compared to oil and coal but it still has negative impact on the environment. When oil wells are drilled past the non porous rock, methane may escape to the atmosphere and may have greenhouse impact (Ayers, 2011). A major advantage of natural gas over oil and coal is that it is expensive to transport and it is highly flammable. Some chemical used during the mining process can also be harmful to the ecosystem and organism Nuclear energy is the energy produced by uranium atoms in a reactor. It is an important source of power across the globe accounting for about 16 percent of total electricity (Ayers, 2011). This is a cleaner source of energy than fossil fuel United States of America where despite development of nuclear plants, the country still experience power generation crisis due to poor management, storage of radioactive materials from reactors and regulations. Waste management in nuclear plants has been controversial and major cause of accident in nuclear power production in developed countries for example in Japan and US. Nuclear energy is cleaner and sustainable source of energy for example 2g of uranium could produce same amount of energy and waste material with 16, 000g of fossil fuels (Ayers, 2011). However uranium is non renewable and current reservoirs could be exhausted in the next 100 years and 1000 years if used sustainably. Mining of uranium can have negative impacts to the ecosystem, plants, animals as well as human accidents. Thermal pollution is also associated with nuclear power plants Mineral and metals Minerals and metals are non food and non fuel natural resources such as limestone, gypsum, clay, natural stones, aluminum, phosphate, palladium and sand among others metals, industrial, and construction minerals (Ayers, 2011). They occur as single metal or a combination of minerals thus creating an issie of the main product, by product and co product. They are found on the earth’s crust and are formed through metamorphic process of the rocks due to tectonic plate’s movements. Most minerals are non renewable thus raising concern on their mining, use and recycling. They are mined using modern technology. In the recent times mineral reservoirs continues to grow despite the fact that they are non renewable to continuous discovery of new reservoirs, increase demand thus mining is an economically viable venture, development of new mining technology thus increased efficiency. The amount of minerals in a country depends of the size of the landmass. Large countries such as United States of America, China, Canada, Russia, and Brazil have large amount of minerals than small countries (Kean University, n.d.). Other countries may have unique minerals thus reaping all the economic benefits associated to that mineral. Mining process involves extraction of mineral from the rock and thus capital investment, installation of physical structure and compliance with environmental rules and regulation. Minerals contribute to economic and social development thus the need for sustainable extraction of the major minerals and metals for future generation. There is a strong relation between mining and environment depending on the mineral itself, the area’s ecosystem, mining technique and environmental conservation measures applied (Kean University, n.d.). Major environmental negative impacts include destruction of the natural ecosystem, destruction of native plants and animals as well as their natural habitats, pollution of air, water and soil, people are exposed to hazard environments, rising of sea levels, global warming and formation of acidic rain among others. In addition they can cause human injuries and death through collapsing of mines, falling in unattended mines and exposure to polluted air and water. To ensure economical, social and environmental sustainability of minerals and metals, the government, miners, manufactures, non-governmental organization and international bodies should be careful through all the steps in the life cycle of the minerals that is mining, manufacturing, use, consumption, recycle and waste disposal (Ayers, 2011). Land Land consist several concept that are the soil, the crust and the landscape (European Environment Agency, 2005). The term land is used to refer to the top layer of the crust that is soil. It is an important resource that contributes to environmental, cultural, social and economic development of any society. Land use differs from one region to another. For example in Europe around 47 percent of land is utilized in agriculture, about 36 percent is on forest cover while about 17 percent is used for human settlements, amenities and infrastructure development. Land cannot be consumed but in some case land can be rendered useless due natural disasters and inappropriate mining. Physical characteristics also can be changed due land use that can result to soil erosion, soil sealing and soil contamination (European Environment Agency, 2005). Recovery of soil to its original state can take long period of time that can extend into centuries thus it is a non renewable resource. Therefore there is need to protect soil through land use regulation to avoid soil degradation through biological, physical and chemical change of soil. Soil sealing occur when an impermeable layer is formed at the top thus separating soil and atmosphere thus destroying soil microorganism and soil component. This is caused by urbanization, building and infrastructure development as well as industrialization. Soil erosion is caused poor agricultural practices. Upper soil layer are carried away by water and wind. Soil contamination occurs when human beings introduce toxic substances to the soil through mining, agriculture, transport activities, industrial activities and military activities. Sealing, soil erosion and soil contamination changes the natural ecosystem, negatively affects the animals and plants and can also be harmful to the human beings (European Environment Agency, 2005). Environmental sustainability and non renewable resources Environmental sustainability means conservation of natural resources as a source of social and economic development and waste management sink through sustainable mining, sustainable use, sustainable consumption recycling and waste management (Goodland, 2002). Natural resources are raw material and waste management sinks for health human, animal and plants population. Extraction of non renewable resources is not sustainable but can be regulated through substitutions with renewable resources. For example use of fossil fuels as sources of energy can be substituted through use of renewable source of energy such as water, wind and geothermal. In environmental sustainability waste product must be maintained at a lowest possible level that can be absorbed into environment without causing any harm that can hinder their future ability to produce natural resource and absorb waste. Extraction of non renewable resources should be at a lower rate compared the development and innovation rate of renewable resources (Goodland, 2002). Serafian quasi-sustainability states that a certain percentage of revenues from non renewable resources should be invested in development of renewable resources that will act as their substitutes for these non renewable resources in the future (Goodland, 2002). The future of non renewable resources is based on efficiency, reuse, substitution, recycling and waste management. Global population has been on increase and so the extraction of natural resources. When human population was low, industrialization rate was slow and the environment was not degraded, the ability of environment to produce natural resource and assimilate waste material was high (Goodland, 2002). Currently these abilities have been on decrease and these has led to change in climate, global warming, loss of diversify and reduces human welfare (Ekins, P. (2011). In relation to human welfare, environment sustainability involves seven major principles. First, protection of the environmental processes for example climatic changes, global warming and depletion of ozone layer. Second, major ecosystems must be protected to ensure the survival of important plants and animals. Third, renewable resources are important for sustainability of non renewable resources and their production rate should be increased through protection of ecosystem, soil fertility, appropriate vegetation cover and sustainable extraction. Fourth, rate of extracting non renewable resource should be kept at the minimum possible rate. Fifth, the rate at which solid, liquid and gaseous wastes are released into water, air and soil should be less than their ability to absorb this waste with causing any harm to the environment. The concentration levels of emission should not alter the environment, ecosystems and natural habitat. Sixth, endangered habitat, organisms and landscape that are special to human being due to their aesthetic values, cultural values, spiritual associations as well as their scarcity should be protected. Finally, activities that are harmful to human health should be minimized. Technology that can be harmful to human being and ecosystems should be avoided. Drivers of use of resources Environmental changes have occurred in the last 50 to 60 years through human activities compared to any other historical period (European Environment Agency, 2005). This has been associated with the need to meet the growing demand for food, energy, housing, fresh water, clothing and transport. Extraction of natural resource from the environment has led to increased economic growth. It has also led to destruction environment and degradation of the ecosystem. They are three major factors that have led to the alteration of the environment namely population growth, economic growth and development patterns. Population growth Increase in global population has led to increased pressure on natural resources although also the amount of pressure depends on economic and social development of the society. It is estimated that the global population will rise from 6.3 billion in the year 2003 to more than 8.9 billion in the year 2050 at a medium population growth rate as shown in the figure 2 below (European Environment Agency, 2005). This increase in population is likely to occur in developing countries compared to industrialized countries (European Environment Agency, 2005). Population growth has led to high demand for resource such as oil, natural gases, food, timber and minerals as well as rise in environmental issues such as global warming and climatic changes. Increase in the number of households and life expectancy has also led to increase demand for basic goods and services. To meet the growing needs of the global population there is need to substitute use of non renewable resource with renewable resources. Figure 2: Global population for the years 1950, 2000, 2003 and 2050 Source: European Environment Agency, 2005 Economic growth Gross domestic product is a major measure of economic growth of any country and across the globe. The global economic growth has doubled over the last 30 years compared to the previous years. The average growth rate has been about 3 percent although there has been a great variation in economic growth between developed and developing nations. Developing nation has recorded high economic growth compared to developed nations between the year 1986 and the year 2000 as shown in the figure 3 below (European Environment Agency, 2005). In order to achieve economic growth resource and energy are used. In the international trade raw materials, semi-processed products and finished products and services are exchanged from one country to another and therefore resources are excavated from their natural environment which is mostly remote areas to manufacturing centers which are urban areas. Harvesting of natural resource can have a negative impact on the environment. Environmental impacts occur in all phases of production from harvesting, transport, manufacturing, consumption and waste materials (European Environment Agency, 2005). Figure 3: Growth of GDP in developing and developed nations Source: European Environment Agency, 2005 Development pattern This involves development of technology, economic status, method of production and consumption. The rate of consumption of both the non renewable and renewable resources depends on the rate efficiency in extraction, use, consumption and reuse. For example development in technology led to change of human being as well as animal as a source of labor to powered equipment that consumes energy from fossil fuels. This has led to increased efficiency in production but it has also increase consumption of non renewable resources and environmental degradation (European Environment Agency, 2005). In developed nation use of technology has led to efficiency in use of energy thus saving natural resource. In developing nation, traditional technologies are still in use thus they use large amount of natural recourse compared to develop and under developed countries. Non renewable natural resources and environmental sustainability in Japan Japan has recorded enormous economic growth from 1950s due to improved government monetary policies that support free trade as well as privatization of major services providers where government ownership and management is limited (Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, 2013). This economic growth has led to development of infrastructures such as air ports, roads, bridges, medical facilities and telecommunication. The growth in growth domestic product and population growth has led to increase demand for fuel, food, manufacture goods and thus increased use of resources. Japan has few natural resources and energy sources and therefore it buys fossil based fuels resources. Like any other developing country, Japan faces environmental issues associated with non renewable resources extraction, use, consumption, recycling and waste management. In regard to importation of energy, Japan is responsible for environmental degradation in the sources country as a way of appreciate the received energy (Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, 2013). The government of Japan has show great interest in reverting to renewable sources of energy such as wind, water, geothermal, tides, biomass and solar after the tsunami and earthquake in 2011 (Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, 2013). This involves use of modern technology to increase efficiency and ensure sustainability. The government has set target of obtaining 25 percent to 30 percent of total energy consumption from renewable sources by the year 2030 by investing about 700 US Dollars into new renewable energy projects. The current most important source of energy is nuclear power but the government hopes to completely stop production of nuclear power by the year 2030. According to Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics, out of the 50 nuclear power reactors in Japan only two were operational in the year 2013 and they expect that only four reactors will be operational by the year 2015. The greatest challenge to the use of nuclear power is management of radiations (Ayers, 2011). For example in September the year 2013 the level of nuclear radiations was extremely high in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant that it could have caused death of exposed person in a short period of time. They are reports that some plants have been disposing their waste water in to the Pacific Ocean. These challenges are the hindrances to the revival of the dormant nuclear plants. The government and other agencies are in dilemma of reviving the nuclear plants in the awake of high oil and gas prices as well as the environmental impacts of nuclear plants. Japan also lacks clear laws that regulate environmental issues. Non renewable natural resources and environmental sustainability in Haiti Haiti is an under developed country. It is a poor countr, the population is not properly educated and has experienced ecological calamities. Other challenges include poor infrastructures, limited business opportunity and corruption. Since the occurrence of the earth quake most people have been living in poor living standards. Its forest cover has decreased over the last 500 years to about 2 percent of the total landmass. It is a hilly country with delicate ecosystem that is affected by drought and desertification. Haiti has no fossil fuel resources and it mostly depend on importing fossil fuels as well as firewood for domestic energy and this has led to high economic cost as well as environmental degradation (Commission on Sustainable Development, 1997). The major government focus is develop strategies that will ensure sources of energy that are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable Ministry of agriculture and ministry of environment are working together to ensure sustainable agricultural practices that with minimum environmental degradation, proper waste disposal, conservation of biodiversity and utilize dry area for agricultural production. World Bank, Haiti government and USAID among other international organization have been funding environment conservation projects. Considering that Haiti is a poor country government funds are not sufficient for environmental sustainability projects and therefore they depend on international organizations (Commission on Sustainable Development, 1997). Waste management is also another major challenge in Haiti for example dumping of waste material at Gonaives harbor (Commission on Sustainable Development, 1997). In relation to this a special task force has been formed to control pollution and ensure proper waste management. Several government ministers have developed regulations on chemical imports to Haiti. Most population depends on wood fuel and thus the high rate of depletion of forests. There is need for change from fossil and wood fuel to other renewable sources of energy that are cheaper. Haiti can create energy from solar, winds and water Conclusion Economical and social development of country depends on both non renewable as well as renewable natural resources as resources. Non renewable natural resource have been formed over a long period of time at a very slow rate compared to the current rate of extraction and therefore their reservoirs are expected to be exhausted in future. Extraction, use, consumption and waste disposal of these resources have negative impacts on the environment. To ensure sustainable extraction of non renewable resources, the government should invest a portion of revenues from sale of non renewable resource to develop renewable resource that can be used as substitutes of these non renewable resources. Environmental sustainability ensures that the current resources are correctly used and their waste properly disposed to reduce environmental degradation. Japan is a developing country that depends on fossil fuel, nuclear power and renewable sources of energy. Its main focus is to minimize use of fossil fuel and nuclear powers that have negative impact on the environment while increase its energy production through renewable sources that are environmental friendly. On the other hand Haiti is an underdeveloped poor country that depends on fossil and wood fuel. These sources of fuel have negative impacts on its fragile environment. Being a poor country its effort to conserve its environment are funded by international organization. Both Haiti and Japan should focus on development of renewable resources that are environmental friendly. References Ayers J. C. (2011) Chapter 7: Non-renewable energy sources. Sustainability Berry B. (n.d.). What are examples of non-renewable resources? Retrieved on February 17, 2014 from: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/examples-nonrenewable-resources-79605.html last update 2014 Commission on Sustainable Development (1997). Natural resource aspects of sustainable development in Haiti. Retrieved on February 17, 2014 from: http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/haiti/natur.htm Ekins P. (2011). Environmental sustainability: From environmental valuation to the sustainability gap. Progress in Physical Geography, 35(5), 629-651. doi:10.1177/0309133311423186 European Environment Agency (2005). Sustainable use and management of natural resources. EEA Report No 9/2005 Goodland R. (2002). Sustainability: human, social, economic and environmental. Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Kean University (n.d.). Mineral resources & waste disposal. Retrieved on February 15, 2014 from:http://www.kean.edu/~csmart/Observing/17.%20Mineral%20resources%20and%20waste%20disposal.pdf University of California College Prep (2009). Non- renewable energy source. Course module. Retrieved on February 14, 2014 from: http://cnx.org/content/m16730/latest/ Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. (2013). Public policy: Renewable Energy for Japan: A Post-Fukushima Quest Retrieved on February 14, 2014 from http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/renewable-energy-japan-post-fukushima-quest/ Read More