ESS – TOPIC 3 – LESSON 7

Explain the concept of sustainability in terms of natural capital and natural income.

Assessment Statement 3.2.5

SUSTAINABLE

Using your existing knowledge, complete a mnemonic for the word ‘sustainable’, using an associated word or phrase for each letter.

Recap: What do we mean by ‘Natural Income’?• Visit this link:

http://www.sustainablescale.org/ConceptualFramework/UnderstandingScale/BasicConcepts/NaturalCapitalandIncome.aspx

• Read the first few paragraphs to refresh what we mean by ‘natural income’, ‘natural capital’, and the different goods and services provided by nature (its value).

Sustainability – definition in ESS“The use of global resources at a rate that allows natural regeneration and minimizes damage to the environment.”

When humans use goods and services provided by natural capital, resource extraction (or pollution) should not exceed natural renewal rates.

This avoids over-extraction or degradation of the environment and its resources, so that future generations can continue to use the resource.

Create your own example using a different resource…