Describe two impacts of obtaining nonrenewable resources and how these have been affected by the increasing population
1. Environmental degradation: The extraction and consumption of nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels, minerals, and metals can lead to significant environmental degradation. For example, the extraction of coal and oil can result in habitat destruction, water pollution, and air pollution. As the population increases, the demand for nonrenewable resources also increases, leading to more extraction and consumption, and subsequently more environmental degradation.
2. Climate change: The burning of fossil fuels for energy is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn leads to climate change. As the population grows, so does the demand for energy, resulting in more fossil fuels being burned and more greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. This exacerbates the impacts of climate change, such as rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea level rise.
Overall, the increasing population puts greater pressure on nonrenewable resources, leading to more environmental degradation and contributing to climate change. Efforts to promote sustainable practices, reduce waste, and transition to renewable energy sources are essential to mitigate these impacts.