Question

Think about the benefits and costs, both economic and environmental, of using natural resources in a globalized world.

What natural resources are you using right now? What natural resources went into creating the objects around you? What economic benefits are you or others receiving from your use of natural resources? What might be some of the economic or environmental costs that stem from your use of natural resources?

What do you think should be done economically, if anything, to account for the environmental effects of using natural resources, especially fossil fuels that are driving human-caused climate change? Use information from the discussion introduction, articles, and your own ideas to inform your answer. If you feel that non-economic solutions should be used, propose those solutions.

In 5-6 sentences, answer these questions. Make your answer simple, coherent, and intended for 9th grade.

Answer 1

Right now, I'm using several natural resources, like electricity from coal or gas, and wood from the furniture around me. These resources have economic benefits, such as providing jobs and making everyday life easier through technology and comfort. However, there are also costs; using fossil fuels can harm the environment by contributing to climate change and air pollution, which affect our health and ecosystems. To better account for these environmental effects, I believe it is important to implement a carbon tax, which would make companies pay for the carbon emissions they produce. This could encourage them to use cleaner energy sources. Additionally, we could invest more in renewable energy like solar and wind power, which are better for the environment and can create new jobs.