Natural Resources

What is a natural resource?  A resource is a material that is found in nature and that is used by living things.  Natural resources are useful materials that come from the earth.  People need natural resources for food and for energy. We also need natural resources to build our homes, make our clothing, and make the many products we use every day.

Water, air, and plants

Minerals such as salt, gold, and others

Metals such as copper and iron

Fossil fuels such as carbon and petroleum Gases such a Helium and Propane are also resources.

Renewable Resources  Some resources are called renewable resources.  These are resources that can be used and replaced, such as trees, fruits and vegetables, meat from animals, etc.  When we cut down tress, new trees can be replanted in their place for future use.  When we eat fruits and vegetables, we are able to plant more to grow.  When we eat meat from animals, we can raise new animals for food to be eaten later.

Renewable Resources

Nonrenewable Resources  Nonrenewable resources are resources that cannot be made new.  With these resources, once we have used them up, they will be gone and we cannot make them again within our lifetimes. Coal, oil, and natural gas are some examples of nonrenewable resources.  Old growth forests are also nonrenewable resources because these trees are so old that they cannot grow again within a lifetime.

Nonrenewable Resources

Energy Resources  Renewable energy- Wind,water, sunlight  Nonrenewable energy- coal and petroleum

The Land  People use land differently depending on customs and way of life.  Colonization- settlers changed land to survive. (farming)  Industrialization- Factories also changed land to make room for cities and suburbs

Communities grow where there are natural resources available.  People settled near rivers or water sources.  Many cities and suburbs grew in these areas.  Other land uses were forests, grasslands, and cropland.

People’s Impact on the Environment DDeforestation- removal of forest in a region  Biodiversity-variety of living things in region or ecosystem

Other Impacts  Farming- clearing more land, more erosion  Pollution waste the makes air, soil, or water  Spillover – air pollution affects everyone who breathes air even though some didn’t cause the pollution.

Finding the Best Solution  People try to increase positive and decrease negative effects of using resources.  Using resources wisely.  Governments limit land use to preserve environment.  Advances in technology can protect resources.  Such as: hybrid cars  Cleans energy sources like solar power or wind power.