Natural Resources

Where do we get energy? All organisms get energy from resources provided by the environment. Living things use, change, and reuse natural resources Renewable resources: can be replaced and/or reused Nonrenewable resources: cannot be replaced or reused

What are renewable resources? Replaced through natural processes at a rate equal to or faster than the rate at which they are being used. Air (wind) Water Renewable Resources Soil Sunlight Living things (?!) Processes: water cycle, photosynthesis, birth/death, erosion, growth

What are nonrenewable resources? Are being used at a much faster rate than the rate at which they are formed. Fossil fuels Oil, gas, coal Exist in a fixed amount and can only be replaced by process that take millions of years Metals, diamonds, and other minerals. Nonrenewable Resources

Why must we conserve resources? Nonrenewable resources can be depleted or used to the point that they are no longer available. If renewable resources are used at a faster rate, they too could become depleted Freshwater- increased demands due to populations shifts Soil- if left bare of vegetation, it can erode, depleting the land of fertile topsoil needed for plant growth Trees- can lead to negative consequences for land, air, and water Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Why is the need for natural resources increasing? Human populations are growing. As the population grows, we need more resources. Reduce Don’t use a resource when there is an alternative Walk/bike vs. driving Reuse Use a resource again, without changing or reprocessing it Wash drinking glass vs. throw away plastic cup Recycle Reprocess resource and use materials again for something else

What is Conservation? Preventing the loss of a resources by way of thoughtful management of it Human activities have cause major impacts on air, soil, and water Pollution Conserving Energy Acid rain Global warming Ozone depletion