1. NATURAL RESOURCES

2. WHAT ARE NATURAL RESOURCES?
Natural resources are substances and materials that are provided by the earth (nature) which human beings can use to make more complex human made products. Natural resources are useful raw materials that we get from the earth. Naturally resources occur naturally, which means human beings cannot make natural resource. Human beings can only modify natural resources in a way which benefits them. The materials used in human made objects are natural resources.

3. Some Examples of Natural resources
Products or services
Air
Wind energy, tires
Animals
Foods (milk, steak, bacon, cheese) and clothing (wool, sweaters, silk shirts, leather belts)
Coal
Electricity
Minerals
Coins, steel, alminium cans, jewellery
Natural gas
Electricity, heating
Oil
Electricity, fuel for cars, aeroplanes and plastics
Plants
Wood, paper, cotton clothing, fruits and vegetables.
Sunlight
Solar power, photosynthesis
Water
Hydroelectric energy, drinking, cleaning
Some Examples of Natural resources

4. Classification of Natural Resources
Natural resources can be classified according to their origin or nature. Classification by origin is based on determining how the resource are obtained or where they come from. Resources can also be classified according to whether they are renewable or non- renewable.

5. Classification of resources by origin (where they come from)
Natural resources which come from living things or organic material are called Biotic resources. Biotic resources include plants, animals and fossil fuels. The three fossil fuels are oil, coal and natural gas. Fossil fuels are classified as biotic resources because they were formed from the remains of organic material over millions of years. Abiotic resources on the other hand originate from non-living and inorganic material. Examples of abiotic materials are sunlight, air, water and minerals such as gold, diamond, iron and copper.

6. Classification according to whether the natural resources are renewable or non-renewable
Renewable resources are those that can replenish themselves such as sunlight, wind plants, animals and water. Therefore renewable resources can be replaced naturally. For example living things replace themselves through reproduction. However, the pace at which human beings are using some of the resources is such that they will disappear forever. Non-renewable resources are those that are unable to replenish themselves such as minerals and the land. Non-renewable resources take very long to form such as oil, coal and minerals. However, people tend to use non-renewable faster than they take to form.

7. NATURAL RESOURCES
Renewable resources
Non-renewable resources
Sunlight Wind Water Plants Animals Wood Timber Paper Leather
Land (soil) Minerals Oil Coal Natural gas Petrol Diamonds Petroleum