Management of Natural Resources

During these classes, students will (1) identify the causes of overexploitation of the selected resources; (2) learn the consequences of their overexploitation for the environment and human development (population health, poverty, resilience of local communities, migrations, insecurity, conflicts etc.); (3) analyze examples of implemented countermeasures and mitigation practices and (4) discuss their own recommendations to solve emerging problems.

Over the years, the development of human civilization has been possible due to the growing use of natural resources. Their exploitation has been rapidly intensifying since the Industrial Revolution, enabling the growth of the human population and significant improvement in life length and quality. However, quite a few of the used resources are either completely or partially renewable, which, combined with ever-growing consumption of goods, results in a gradual shift of the Earth Overshoot Day to the earlier part of the year (from December 29th in 1970 to July 29th in 2019). Overexploitation and consecutive lack of necessary resources will bring about serious consequences for the environment and human health, thus affecting societies at the global level (e.g. migrations and conflicts over resources).

During these classes, students will (1) identify the causes of overexploitation of the selected resources; (2) learn the consequences of their overexploitation for the environment and human development (population health, poverty, resilience of local communities, migrations, insecurity, conflicts etc.); (3) analyze examples of implemented countermeasures and mitigation practices and (4) discuss their own recommendations to solve emerging problems.

Among the topics covered by the course are:

- fossil fuels

- renewable energy

- nuclear power

- water crisis

- desertification

- sand thefts and concrete production

- critical elements in common use (e.g. phosphorus, helium) and in advanced technologies (rare earth elements)

- circular economy

The topics may change according to current shifts in the political and socioeconomic situation at the global level.

The tasks mentioned above will be performed using diversified workshop techniques such as World Café (http://www.theworldcafe.com), SWOT analysis, stakeholder analysis, system mapping, and PechaKucha presentations. Thus, students will practice group work and public speaking. To get a grade from this course, students will work on group projects focused on possible future scenarios for the use of resources. These projects will be presented and evaluated during the last classes.

General information about the nexus between natural resources and social/political/economic issues:

• Briefing no. 24/2021: Resource nexus and the European Green Deal: https://doi.org/10.2800/23787

• Brottrager, M., Crespo Cuaresma, J., Kniveton, D. et al. Natural resources modulate the nexus between environmental shocks and human mobility. Nat Commun 14, 1393 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37074-y

• Khan, H., Weili, L., Khan, I. et al. The nexus between natural resources, renewable energy consumption, economic growth, and carbon dioxide emission in BRI countries. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 36692–36709 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24193-0

• Natural resources and violent conflict : options and actions / Ian Bannon, Paul Collier, editors (free available at: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/578321468762592831/Natural-resources-and-violent-conflict-options-and-actions

• Wars of plunder : conflicts, profits and the politics of resources / Philippe Le Billon (available at the University Library, BUW)

Current information on particular resources can be found in reports and publications available freely e.g. at sites of the UNDEP (https://www.undp.org/), UNCCD (https://www.unccd.int/), UNICEF (https://www.unicef.org/), UN Water (https://www.unwater.org/ ), World Water Council (https://www.worldwatercouncil.org/en), World Economic Forum (https://www.weforum.org/), European Commission (https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/raw-materials/specific-interest/critical_en) , World Bank (https://www.worldbank.org/), U.S. Energy Information Administration (https://www.eia.gov/),

During the course, teachers will suggest relevant documents and encourage further web-research.

The student understands, in-depth, the concept of sustainable development in relation to environmental and Earth sciences, as well as its social and economic dimensions(K_W01)

The student is aware of environmental, social, and economic challenges at the regional and global levels and understands the connections between them (K_W02).

The student knows where to look for reliable sources of information and databases needed to verify the information (K_W09).

The student can ask critical questions and propose potential solutions for identified problems (K_U04).

The student can use methods of social communication, promotion, and education in activities that implement solutions in the field of environmental and sustainable development (K_U05).

The student can identify strengths and weaknesses of standard actions and solutions implemented to solve SD-related problems (K_U07).

The student efficiently communicates in speech and in writing with the general public and specialists in SD (K_K02).

The student can verify and respect the opinions of other team members (K_K04).

The student can coordinate the team's work, in particular in terms of division of responsibilities and time management (K_K08).

Oral presentation of a group project