Question

As the human population grows, minerals may be scarce. Which of the following is one way to address this problem?

a. Recycling: Implementing efficient recycling programs to recover and reuse minerals from waste.
b. Deforestation: Clearing more land for mining to extract minerals from untouched areas.
c. Landfill Disposal: Discarding mineral-rich waste in landfills, allowing natural processes to recycle minerals.
d. Urbanization: Building more urban areas to accommodate the growing population's needs for mineral resources.

Answer 1

Recycling is the most effective method mentioned to address the scarcity of minerals caused by growing human populations, conserving natural resources and reducing pollution.

Step-by-step explanation:

As the human population grows, one way to address the potential scarcity of minerals is recycling. Implementing efficient recycling programs to recover and reuse minerals from waste not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators but also conserves natural resources such as minerals. This is crucial since mining materials from the Earth cannot continue indefinitely, as we have been exploiting the best deposits for hundreds of years and such a pace is unsustainable. Moreover, deforestation and landfill disposal are not sustainable solutions, as they cause environmental degradation and resource depletion. Recycling helps to increase economic security, prevent pollution, and save energy, making it a practical option in conserving natural resources and mitigating the environmental impact of mining.