Natural capital refers to natural resources that provide value to humans. Natural income is the growth or yield of natural capital over time, such as agricultural harvests, timber growth, or herd increases. For a resource to be used sustainably, only the natural income should be harvested, not the original stock, so that the resource is not depleted. The concept of sustainable development aims to meet current needs without compromising the environment and resources for future generations. However, defining and achieving sustainability can be debated, as views differ on how to balance environmental protection with economic interests.

1. TOPIC 3.2 -
RESOURCES AS
NATURAL
CAPITAL
Environmental Systems
and Societies
Standard Level
http://www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/natural-resources-for-pro-poor-economic-growth_12c2

2. Explain the concept of resources in terms of natural
income.
● Natural resources = raw materials from nature
● Natural capital = natural resources with a value to
humans
● Natural income = growth of natural capital
3.2.1

3. Explain the concept of resources in terms of natural
income.3.2.1
● Natural income is the growth
or yield of natural capital:
○ agricultural harvest
○ growth of timber
○ increase in herd size
● Only exists as long as the
original resource remains in
place
http://owb.ifoam.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/C%CC%A7ocuk1.jpg and http:
//www.imfn.net/userfiles/Shade%20grown%20coffee%20Kodagu_web.JPG and
http://veenome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sheep_herd.jpg

4. Explain the concept of resources in terms of natural
income.3.2.1
http://www.occupy.com/sites/default/files/styles/slide_narrow/public/field/image/greenish-vallery-natural-mountains-switzerland-article.jpg?itok=QRBQN3XS
● How does this
image relate to
natural capital?
● What about
natural income?

5. Explain the concept of resources in terms of natural
income.
Ecological goods may be
made into products
● metal ores
● minerals
● wood
● animal products
3.2.1

6. Explain the concept of resources in terms of natural
income.3.2.1
Ecological services aren’t
monetized:
● O2
from photosynthesis
● carbon sequestration
from respiration
● water cycling and
filtration
● flood and erosion control
http://www.wsl.
ch/fe/oekosystem/gebirgsoekosysteme/themen/vegetation_bodens
tabilitaet/Soil_Klosters.jpg and http://faculty.washington.
edu/ktorii/images/research/stomata_fig1.jpg

7. Define the terms renewable, replenishable and
non‑renewable natural capital.3.2.2
http://www.worldresourcesforum.org/files/images/natural-resources-classification.gif

8. Define the terms renewable, replenishable and
non‑renewable natural capital.3.2.2
Renewable natural capital is self-producing (living) and
self-maintaining (ecosystems).
● Needs solar energy
● can be sold/marketed (wood, ethanol, food)
● some give essential services when left alone
○ elephants (habitat maintenance - NO IVORY!)
○ forests (local temperature and water filtration)

9. Define the terms renewable, replenishable and
non‑renewable natural capital.3.2.2
Replenishable natural capital
is non-living but is also often
dependent on the solar
“engine” for renewal.
● groundwater
● wind
● ozone layer
https://www.acs.
org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-
issues/archive-2012-2013/ozone-layer-our-global-
sunscreen/_jcr_content/mainContent/columnsbootstrap/column0/textimage_0/im

10. Define the terms renewable, replenishable and
non‑renewable natural capital.3.2.2
Non-renewable natural capital = any use implies
liquidating (depleting) part of the stock
● minerals
● fossil fuel
● metal ores
Finite supplies will eventually run out!

11. http://www.altenergyshift.com/uploads/gallery/album_9/gallery_1_9_281990.jpg

12. Explain the dynamic nature of the concept of a resource.
Dynamic = changing status
of a resource over time
and/or space due to...
● Cultural, economic, and
technological shifts
● “Environmental value
systems”
● What about ethanol, oil, solar?
3.2.3
http://www.cleanenergyinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nuclear_cartoon.
jpg

13. http://www.cartoonmovement.com/depot/cartoons/2011/01/iL8H1METSMm-kZiqXhb95Q.jpg

14. Discuss the view that the environment can have its own
intrinsic value.
Intrinsic value is the “inward” value
of nature regardless of its practical
(economic) use to humans.
● ethical, spiritual + philosophical
perspectives
● hard to quantify
● How to debate aesthetic value with an
economist?
3.2.4
Photo: Peter Stanley, www.photopoa.com

15. Discuss the view that the environment can have its own
intrinsic value.
Intrinsic value may
include
● sacred spaces
● beauty (beholder’s eye)
● biodiversity
● rate of depletion
● health benefits
● societal well being
3.2.4
http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.4445686.2924/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg

16. Explain the concept of sustainability in terms of natural
capital and natural income.
● Living on the ‘interest’ generated by natural capital.
● Using only the growth or increase in resources
● Wisely using and maintaining resources - goods
and/or services
● Not depleting natural capital
● Sustainable = may be continued indefinitely into the
future
3.2.5

17. Discuss the concept of sustainable development.
● Brundtland Report (1987): introduced the term
“sustainable development”
● Meaning is debatable
○ Economists: stable annual return on investment regardless of
the environmental impact.
○ Environmentalists: stable return without environmental
degradation.
○ Environmental Value Systems…?
3.2.6

18. Discuss the concept of sustainable development.
● UN Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED)
● a.k.a. Rio Earth Summit (1992)
○ Sustainable development
○ Climate change + alternative energy sources
○ Production of toxins
○ Public transportation
○ Water scarcity
3.2.6
http://www.un.org/geninfo/bp/enviro.html

19. Discuss the concept of sustainable development.
3.2.6
http://www.pachamama.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/rio+20-summit-cartoon.jpg
● Largest gathering
of governments
and NGOs in
history.
● Meant to build
consensus.
● Successful?

20. Discuss the concept of sustainable development.
3.2.6
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02256/rio_2256290b.jpg
Massive activist
turnout began
modern wave of
anti-globalization
protests.

21. Discuss the concept of sustainable development.
3.2.6
http://www.bayshoreteaparty.org/storage/A21-Tyranny-wreath.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1308525793244
● Agenda 21
● Action plan for
sustainable
development
● Non-binding,
voluntary
● 4 focus sections

22. Discuss the concept of sustainable development.
3.2.6
http://www.bayshoreteaparty.org/storage/A21-Tyranny-wreath.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1308525793244
1. combatting poverty
2. Protecting the atmosphere,
forests, and biodiversity
3. Strengthening youth,
women, NGOs, local
authorities, and indigenous
peoples, and farmers.
4. Implementation strategies

23. Calculate and explain sustainable yield from given data.
● Sustainable yield = rate of increase in natural capital
○ what can be used without depleting the original stock
○ must be less than natural income
○ calculated according to these formulae below:
3.2.7