Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development: Chemistry plays an important role in improving agricultural and industrial processes to provide new products and in sustainable development, which is development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The idea

Chemistry improves processes so more product is made from less raw material. In agriculture, the Haber process combines nitrogen and hydrogen to make ammonia for fertilisers, raising crop yields to feed a growing population. In industry, catalysts lower activation energy so reactions run faster at lower temperature, saving energy. Sustainable development means meeting present needs without stopping future generations from meeting theirs. Chemists apply this by using renewable feedstock, recycling metals and plastics, designing biodegradable polymers, treating waste water and using atom economy to reduce waste.

For example: Recycling aluminium saves about 95% of the energy needed to extract it from bauxite, conserving finite ore for the future.

What earns the marks

• Describe how chemistry improves agricultural processes, for example the Haber process making ammonia for fertilisers to increase food production.
• Describe how chemistry improves industrial processes, for example using catalysts to increase rate and reduce energy demand.
• Define sustainable development as meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Give a specific example of sustainable practice, such as recycling metals, using renewable feedstock or designing biodegradable polymers.
• Explain the benefit of a named improvement in terms of reduced waste, lower energy use or conserved finite resources.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Confusing sustainable with renewable.

  Put it right by stating that sustainable development balances present and future needs, while renewable describes a resource that is replenished.

• Claiming chemistry only causes pollution.

  Put it right by giving a beneficial example such as fertiliser production or catalytic converters.

• Describing recycling as simply 'good for the environment' without a mechanism.

  Put it right by explaining that it saves energy and conserves finite ore.

Exam tips

• Quote the definition of sustainable development closely, including both current and future generations.
• Use one agriculture example and one industry example so both parts of the statement are covered.
• Link each improvement to a measurable benefit such as lower energy use, less waste or conserved raw material.