ECS2606 Assignment 1
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 (253465 ) -
DUE 24 March 2025
FOR ASSISTANCE CONTACT
EMAIL:
, 1. The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on the Materials Balance Principle (ECS2601)
The Materials Balance Principle states that all materials entering an economic system either become
outputs in the form of goods and services or waste and pollution. The pandemic-induced restrictions
(lockdowns, reduced industrial activity, travel bans) affected this balance.
Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on the Materials Balance Principle:
Reduction in Material Inputs: Due to supply chain disruptions, industries consumed fewer raw
materials.
Lower Economic Outputs: Factories shut down or slowed production, reducing the availability of
goods and services.
Decrease in Waste and Pollution: Industrial waste, carbon emissions, and pollution levels
dropped significantly as economic activities stalled.
Shifts in Consumption Patterns: The demand for certain goods (e.g., personal protective
equipment, food delivery, online services) increased while others (e.g., luxury items, travel
services) fell.
Increase in Waste from Certain Sectors: Medical waste (e.g., masks, gloves) surged due to
increased health and safety measures.
Diagrammatic Illustration:
A simple Materials Flow Diagram can be drawn to show the reduction in material inputs, outputs, and
waste generation due to economic slowdowns.
2. Production Possibility Curves (PPC) and Intergenerational Effects of Consumption (ECS2602)
A Production Possibility Curve (PPC) represents the maximum potential output of an economy given
available resources and technology.
Explanation:
If a country engages in irresponsible consumption and production (e.g., overfishing,
deforestation, excessive fossil fuel use), it depletes resources for future generations.
This shifts the PPC inwards, indicating less productive capacity for future generations.
Sustainable policies (e.g., investing in renewable energy, reforestation) help maintain a stable
PPC over time.
Diagrammatic Illustration:
A PPC with two goods (e.g., clean environment and economic production).
A shift inward due to resource depletion from overconsumption.
A sustainable PPC showing the potential long-term balance.
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 (253465 ) -
DUE 24 March 2025
FOR ASSISTANCE CONTACT
EMAIL:
, 1. The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on the Materials Balance Principle (ECS2601)
The Materials Balance Principle states that all materials entering an economic system either become
outputs in the form of goods and services or waste and pollution. The pandemic-induced restrictions
(lockdowns, reduced industrial activity, travel bans) affected this balance.
Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on the Materials Balance Principle:
Reduction in Material Inputs: Due to supply chain disruptions, industries consumed fewer raw
materials.
Lower Economic Outputs: Factories shut down or slowed production, reducing the availability of
goods and services.
Decrease in Waste and Pollution: Industrial waste, carbon emissions, and pollution levels
dropped significantly as economic activities stalled.
Shifts in Consumption Patterns: The demand for certain goods (e.g., personal protective
equipment, food delivery, online services) increased while others (e.g., luxury items, travel
services) fell.
Increase in Waste from Certain Sectors: Medical waste (e.g., masks, gloves) surged due to
increased health and safety measures.
Diagrammatic Illustration:
A simple Materials Flow Diagram can be drawn to show the reduction in material inputs, outputs, and
waste generation due to economic slowdowns.
2. Production Possibility Curves (PPC) and Intergenerational Effects of Consumption (ECS2602)
A Production Possibility Curve (PPC) represents the maximum potential output of an economy given
available resources and technology.
Explanation:
If a country engages in irresponsible consumption and production (e.g., overfishing,
deforestation, excessive fossil fuel use), it depletes resources for future generations.
This shifts the PPC inwards, indicating less productive capacity for future generations.
Sustainable policies (e.g., investing in renewable energy, reforestation) help maintain a stable
PPC over time.
Diagrammatic Illustration:
A PPC with two goods (e.g., clean environment and economic production).
A shift inward due to resource depletion from overconsumption.
A sustainable PPC showing the potential long-term balance.
