Good Science Victorian Curriculum Year 7

CHAPTER 7: EARTH’S RESOURCES
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Ethical considerations for resource use
Obtaining a resource may change, pollute or destroy native habitats
or reduce the biodiversity of an area. Sometimes it is the use of the
resource that can be damaging to the environment. The burning of
fossil fuels results in the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
at levels well above what would naturally occur. Carbon dioxide traps
heat in the atmosphere that would normally escape into space. This
has caused average global temperatures to rise and is contributing to
climate change. If we are to limit the amount of carbon dioxide being
emitted, we need to use alternatives to fossil fuels to produce energy.
What is an example of an ethical consideration?
Ethics involves considering different opinions
Before a resource is extracted and used, information and opinions are
gathered about the resource and the local environment so that choices
and decisions can be made.
There are always groups of people with different opinions and this can
make the final decision difficult to make. Coal is one of the resources
that is frequently debated in Australia. Different groups will be affected
in different ways depending on the choices that are made.
Table 7.2 Different impacts and points of view about mining and
using coal
Group
Mining company
Energy company
Coal industry workers
Environmentally
conscious people
Renewable energy
companies
People living near
mines and power
plants
Scientists
Impact and point of view
Wants to extract as much coal as possible, spending
as little as possible to maximise profits
Wants to utilise a cheap fuel source (such as coal)
to meet electricity demands
Want the industry to continue to provide them
with work
Want the mining and burning of coal to stop so that
carbon dioxide emissions are greatly reduced and
ecosystems are protected
Want governments to support renewable energy
technologies so that renewable energy becomes the
primary source of electricity as well as a source of
employment
May be concerned by damage to the local
environment and that pollution could be harming
their health
Have undertaken many studies showing that the
burning of fossil fuels such as coal is causing
climate change
Why can making decisions about using resources be difficult?
CHECKPOINT 7.6
1 Describe how obtaining and
using a resource can be of
benefit to society.
2 Describe how the natural
environment can be affected
by obtaining or using resources.
3 What gas is released into the
atmosphere when a fossil
fuel is burnt? Describe the
environmental impact of
this gas.
4 Outline some ways that mining
impacts on:
a the environment
b society and people
c industry and the economy.
5 Brainstorm some ways that
mining companies could
reduce their impact on the
environment.
6 Stopping coal mining in
Australia would reduce a
significant portion of income
coming into the country’s
economy, but would stop
considerable environmental
damage from the mining
and use of the coal. Does
the benefit of conserving the
environment outweigh the cost
to the economy? Use evidence
to support your response.
INQUIRY
7 Research your local energy
supplier. Find out where
your energy is sourced from.
What percentage is renewable
and what percentage is
non‐renewable? Discuss some
ethical considerations (what is
right and wrong) about how
your power is generated.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
I can describe some ethical
considerations of obtaining
and using resources.
I can describe some
different points of view
people may have on the use
of non-renewable resources
in Australia.
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