Properties of Natural Resources Flashcards
What causes the high need of raw materials?
Population growth and economic growth results in a high demand for large quantities of raw materials (steel,
industrial wood, fuel wood, cement) and materials such as aluminium and plastics.
What needs rare, important materials?
Some very rare, important materials are required for some high technology products such as computers.
What is the world reserves index?
The Global Reserve Currency Index (“GRCI®”) is an index that tracks the 15 largest global currencies and gold. These characteristics allow the GRCI® to act as a global store of value, effectively creating the world’s first “reserve currency”.
What is a limitation of materials/products?
Every material/product has an energy cost in its exploration, extraction production, use, reuse and disposal.
What is an important consideration?
The carbon footprint is an important consideration.
What has environmental impacts
Production of every material, including recycling.
How can environmental impacts be assessed?
Use of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is the only way to determine environmental impacts with any certainty. It can only be conducted on a scientific basis by trained scientists.
