Issue: Pressures created by human settlements on the environment - Material use
This is an issue under the Human settlements theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
Human settlements exert pressure on the environment by extracting resources from it and by generating wastes and emissions. As population grows and human settlements expand the demands for resources as well as the amount of wastes generated increase. Extracting both living and non-living materials from the environment can degrade it, as can the wastes generated from the use and disposal of those materials.
Indicators
- HS-48 Material Flows in Human Settlements
Human settlements consume material and energy resources from and emit wastes to the environment. The flow of resources through a settlement is related to the demand and supply processes occurring within the settlement. The flow of resources is indicative of the rates of change in stocks within the settlement. The size and growth rates of stocks greatly influence the nature of the human settlement and its impacts on the environment. - LD-12 Quantity and dollar value of raw materials from non-living terrestrial sources
The quantity of non-living materials from terrestrial sources used by human settlements provides some insight into the scale of the pressure of extraction. - CO-47 Quantity and dollar value of raw materials from non-living marine sources
The quantity of non-living materials from coastal and marine sources used by human settlements provides some insight into the scale of the pressure of extraction.
Related issues
- Land - Contributions of land to human life- Living materials from the land
- Land - Contributions of land to human life- Medicines and other potentially useful biological compounds from terrestrial sources
- Land - Contributions of land to human life- Non-living materials from the land
- Biodiversity - Utilisation and value of biodiversity- Harvesting and trade in wildlife
- Coasts and Oceans - Contributions of the coasts and oceans to human life- Food
- Coasts and Oceans - Contributions of the coasts and oceans to human life- Medicines and other potentially useful biological compounds
- Coasts and Oceans - Contributions of the coasts and oceans to human life- Non-living material (materials and energy fuels)
Key
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