A society’s choice in using natural resources depends on physical availability, demand, technology, costs, political priorities, cultural values, resource security and environmental impacts. These factors interact, so societies with similar resources may make different decisions.
The Reasoning
In ESS Topic 7.1, natural resources are raw materials and energy sources used by society. Their total stock is natural capital; its goods and services are natural income.
A society decides how to exploit natural capital by balancing these factors:
| Factor | Influence on resource choice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Physical availability | Geology, climate and location determine which resources are accessible. | Norway has offshore oil and gas reserves. |
| Economic conditions | Extraction costs, prices and income affect profitability. | High oil prices make difficult reserves attractive. |
| Technology | Innovation makes inaccessible resources usable or provides alternatives. | Deep-water drilling enables offshore extraction. |
| Political factors | Governments use laws, taxes, subsidies and strategies to control use. | Norway taxes petroleum and invests through its sovereign wealth fund. |
| Social and cultural values | Traditions and attitudes shape demand and acceptability. | Ecocentric groups may prioritize conservation over extraction. |
| Environmental impacts | Pollution, habitat loss and depletion may restrict exploitation. | Oil extraction risks spills and greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Resource security | Societies seek reliable long-term supplies and reduced import dependence. | Domestic production can increase energy security. |
Different environmental perspectives also shape decisions. Technocentric views trust technology; ecocentric views emphasize lower consumption and nature’s intrinsic value.
A common misconception is that a renewable resource is automatically sustainable. Sustainability requires use below regeneration rates and acceptable impacts from extraction, processing and transport.
Exam Technique
This is core SL and HL content from subtopic 7.1. In an “explain” response, identify several factors and show how each changes the decision. For higher-mark questions, use a named example, connect competing perspectives, and distinguish short-term economic benefits from long-term sustainability.
