The earth is full of natural things we can use. Many natural products are a source of wealth and affect the way we live. Stone, oil, wood, water, air, animals, and plants are all examples of natural resources. A natural resource is something found in nature that humans can use to make food or goods.

The Earth’s resources are constantly in demand. Think about it: The building you are sitting in is made of natural resources such as wood and metal. More resources, like oil and water, were used to construct the building. Everything we take from the Earth that humans do not produce is a natural resource.

What natural resources have you used since you woke up this morning?

Renewable Resources Nonrenewable Resources Inexhaustible Resources TREES WATER COAL

A renewable resource is one that can be easily replaced by nature within a short amount of time. Some examples are plants, water, and air.

Even though these resources are called renewable, we still need to protect them. Fresh air, clean water, wildlife, and trees can be damaged or destroyed if they are misused or wasted. For example, if we cut down a forest, it destroys habitats and we can’t expect it to grow back without any problems.

The human population has grown quickly, and we need to think more and more about the limited supplies of natural resources. A nonrenewable resource cannot easily be replaced by nature, or takes thousands of years to be made. Soil: It can take 100,000 years to make a few inches of soil! Minerals Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources that are formed from the fossilized remains of plants and animals. They take millions of years to form. The three fossil fuels are: Coal Oil Natural Gas

A natural resource that cannot be used up is called an inexhaustible resource. Examples: sun, wind, air, water

We have been searching for and learning about alternative energy resources to help make electricity. Alternative energy resources produce energy in a way that is not commonly done. They are better for the environment, are renewable or inexhaustible, and cause less pollution. Click here to see alternative energy sources: able_energy/ able_energy/

Humans burn fossil fuels like coal and oil to make electricity. This causes pollution in our environment. Pollution is any harmful thing produced by humans that makes the environment unclean and unhealthy.

Negative effects of humans using resources: Coal and oil are nonrenewable resources An electricity-generating dam heats river water up, which kills fish. When nuclear energy is used to make electricity, radioactive waste is produced. Chemicals from factories seep into the groundwater and pollute our water supply.

In order to decrease pollution and protect future generations of humans, plants, and animals, we must DO something! Conservation is the protection and preservation of natural resources. Remember the three R’s of conservation: Recycle: reusing materials in the environment Reuse: reuse the things we can Reduce: reduce the amount of natural resources we use

Landfills are overflowing with trash. Americans recycle glass, plastic, paper, and metal. These things don’t decay in landfills like we thought they would. Instead recycling programs reuse plastic and glass, recycle metal so we don’t run out, and recycle paper to protect forests and animal habitats. What do you and your family do to reduce trash and conserve resources?

Humans play a major role in Earth’s ecosystem. We are constantly changing our environment to suit our needs. Some of these changes harm the living things around us. This is made worse by overpopulation. Overpopulation occurs when there are so many people in a small area that it harms the living things and environment. Our need for more farm land, houses, and businesses destroys habitats, sometimes causing animals to become endangered.