Resources and the environment Unit 7 Resources and the environment

Bellwork Answer the following questions in the bellwork section of your binder. What resources do you need to live? What resources do you need to build a house like this one?

Learning goal You will learn: The types of natural resources provided by Earth Identify resources as renewable or nonrenewable Examine each type of resource. Traditional energy resources such as fossil fuels, as well as discover alternative energy resources.

Earth resources Natural resources provided by Earth are: Air Water Land Organisms Rocks Minerals Nutrients Geochemical cycles

Natural resources Recall that neither matter nor energy can be created or destroyed, but both can be changed. Natural resources can be transformed: Cycling (carbon, nitrogen and water cycles)

Renewable vs. nonrenewable Living things, surface water, groundwater, fertile soil, air, solar energy, elements that cycle Replaced through natural processes at same rate as being used Nonrenewable Fossil fuels (coal and petroleum) Elements (gold, copper, silver) Exists in fixed amounts – can only be replaced by geological, physical or chemical process---takes millions of years

Land resources Land resources include: Topsoil Rocks Minerals Space for agriculture Housing Roadways Wildlife refuges and national parks

Air resources Air contains substances that all organisms need to survive nitrogen oxygen carbon dioxide methane ozone Most important component of air is oxygen  21%

Disrupting earth’s cycles Burning of fossil fuels and land releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere  global warming Other human activities adversely affect the survival and health of the organisms Air pollution

Water Resources Freshwater is recycled through the water cycle Water management techniques to ensure a continuing supply Dams and reservoirs Transporting surface water Tapping groundwater Desalinating seawater

assessment Study Guide worksheet Section assessments Or chapter assessments