Resource Use, Energy and Sustainable Development
This domain tests how resources are classified, used and conserved. Expect questions on renewable and non-renewable resources, reserves, energy mixes, ecological footprint, carrying capacity, environmental impact assessment and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Core rules and concepts
- A resource is a natural feature that is culturally valued and technologically usable; a reserve is the proven, economically extractable part.
- Resources may be renewable or non-renewable, potential or actual, stock or flow.
- Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
- Tools include EIA, pollution control, recycling, circular economy and energy efficiency.
- Assam’s energy mix includes oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower and growing solar and biogas use.
Worked example
A geologist reports 200 million tonnes of coal, of which 60 million tonnes is proven and profitable at current prices. Reasoning: the 200 million tonnes is a resource base; the 60 million tonnes is a reserve. If prices rise or technology improves, part of the remaining resource may become a reserve. The distinction matters because reserves are not fixed forever.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating all resources as reserves, or reserves as static.
- Assuming renewable resources are automatically sustainable; overuse of groundwater or fish stocks can deplete them.
- Confusing conservation with preservation; conservation allows wise use.
- Ignoring environmental costs when discussing mining or hydropower.
For Assam, link coal mining and oil extraction to land degradation and water pollution, and flood-plain erosion to livelihood vulnerability. A strong answer names the resource, the use, the impact and the management response.