Introduction
“The rate of extraction and consumption
of the earth’s resources is way faster
than the rate at which it can replenish
its resources” (ManilaBulletin,2007)
The earth gives people many of its precious resources and people ignore the principles of rational consumption of the earth’s riches. The problem of excavation and extraction of mineral resources is vital for the economies of many countries. It is too significant for the leading ones. As for the United Kingdom, the country presupposes evaluating the chances of sharing on the markets and protecting the economy from the environment as well as economic disasters in the long run.
Positive effects
The positive effect, for example, in extracting oil is the ability to provide the country with adequate prices of petrochemicals and the fact that the UK can make influence other exporters of oil in the world. A good example here is the British Petroleum Corporation. As the economy of a country grows (the UK’s has grown by 2.5% per annum over the past ten years), mineral consumption also grows.” (Minerals in the Economy, 2002)
Negative effects
The negative outcome touches upon the environmental pollution and after use of excavated areas. The government of the country developed the policy of how to plan the rational extractions of minerals with definite benefits for the well-being of citizens and the state on the whole.
Solutions
Regarding the influence on the nature and environment and the actuality of potential after use of the areas being excavated the administration of the Northamptonshire County elaborated several strategically important objectives to follow:
- To ensure an adequate supply of minerals by national and regional guidelines;
- To provide for a land bank of permitted reserves of non-energy minerals by national and regional guidelines;
- To support the re-use and recycling of minerals by developing alternative sources of aggregates and making more efficient use of all minerals;
- To shift minerals extraction away from the river Nene to the glacial deposits;
- To protect the unexploited river valleys; and to protect, conserve and enhance Special Landscape Areas by Policy AR1. (Minerals Development, 2004)
The territory of this county is rich in limestone, sand, and gravel, soft sand, building stone, and ironstone. The above-mentioned solutions according to the problem are rationally right to safeguard the environment and guarantee the growth of the economic climate.
“Sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is becoming a priority for countries worldwide. This is especially important in the new emerging ‘global consumer class’ with large groups of middle-class showing increasingly similar consumption patterns,” according to the Global Environment Outlook 4 (GEO4). (ManilaBulletin,2007)
Conclusion
To sum up, the situation with the British policy of extraction and excavation of the mineral resources is quite measured. “Sustainable consumption” is surely the main goal for the country to provide its further development in the world arena. The framework of the analysis on this issue will contain the following points:
- Current consumption and extraction along with the decisions to reduce them;
- Safeguard of existing resources;
- Evaluation of the influence on the environment.
References
Auty, R. M., & Mikesell, R. F. (1998). Sustainable Development in Mineral Economies. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Macintyre, M., & Foale, S. (2004). Politicized Ecology: Local Responses to Mining in Papua New Guinea. Oceania.
Oil, Oil Everywhere but Not the Will to Drill. (2008). The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), p. G57.
‘Sustainable Consumption’ to Drive Private Firms to ‘Green’ Products. (2007). Manila Bulletin.
Minerals Development, 2004. Web.
Minerals in the Economy, 2002. Web.