ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO. 253465
DUE DATE: 24 MARCH 2025
, ECS2606
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number: 253465
Due Date: 24 March 2025
Environmental Economics
1. Impact of Covid-19-induced restrictions on economic activities on the materials
balance principle
Explanation:
The material balance principle asserts that the materials flowing into an economy,
whether as raw materials or goods, must balance with the materials flowing out in the
form of waste, emissions, or consumption. In 2020 and 2021, many countries, including
China and several European nations, implemented strict lockdowns and economic
restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This had significant impacts on global supply
chains, production activities, and consumption patterns.
Reduced Economic Activity: With lockdowns and business closures, there was
a decline in industrial production, transportation, and consumption. As a result,
there was a decrease in the demand for raw materials like oil, steel, and coal.
This led to a reduction in the extraction and processing of these materials,
disrupting the material flow.
Waste and Emissions Reduction: Due to reduced industrial activity and
transportation, emissions from factories and vehicles declined sharply. This
resulted in a temporary reduction in environmental pollution, showing a brief
improvement in the material balance principle as fewer materials were processed
and consumed.
Supply Chain Disruptions: The disruption in global supply chains meant that
raw materials were not reaching industries that depended on them, causing a