C.4.2 Competition for Resources in Extreme Environments Notes

Resource Conflicts and Stakeholder Roles

1. Extreme environments are often rich in natural resources, making them attractive for activities like mining and oil drilling.
2. However, these regions are environmentally sensitive, and the interconnectedness of their systems means that even localized activities can have widespread consequences.
3. Resource conflicts arise when multiple stakeholders have competing interests over the use, control, or preservation of natural resources.
4. These conflicts can operate on different scales - from local to global.

Resource Extraction Disrupts Ecosystems

Ecosystems in extreme environments are highly specialized and vulnerable to disruption. Resource extraction can have profound effects, including:

1. Habitat Destruction: The clearing of land for mining or drilling operations destroys habitats for plants and animals. For instance, open-pit mining in deserts can remove vegetation that stabilizes soil, leading to erosion and desertification.
2. Pollution: Harmful substances released during extraction processes can contaminate the environment. Toxic tailings from mining, for example, can leach into soil and water, harming local flora and fauna.
3. Biodiversity Loss: Many species in extreme environments are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else. Habitat destruction and pollution can drive these species to extinction, reducing biodiversity.

Water Supply Impacts: A Critical Concern

Water is a scarce and vital resource in many extreme environments. Resource extraction can significantly impact water supplies in the following ways:

1. Depletion of Water Resources: Mining and drilling often require large amounts of water, depleting local sources. In deserts, this can lower water tables, making it harder for plants, animals, and humans to access water.
2. Water Pollution: Chemicals used in extraction processes, such as cyanide in gold mining, can contaminate water supplies. This not only harms ecosystems but also poses health risks to nearby communities.

Key Stakeholders in Resource Conflicts

Indigenous Groups

1. Indigenous communities often have deep cultural and spiritual connections to their land.
2. They rely on natural resources for their livelihoods, such as hunting, fishing, and agriculture.
3. Challenges: Development projects can disrupt ecosystems, threaten food security, and undermine traditional practices.
4. Role: Indigenous groups advocate for land rights, environmental protection, and fair compensation.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

1. Focus Areas: Environmental conservation, human rights, and social justice.
2. Role: They raise awareness, lobby governments, and provide legal or financial support to affected communities.