What are Earth's Natural Resources?

What are Earth's Natural Resources?

RENEWABLE RESOURCES

• ​They can be replaces through natural processes almost as fast as they can be used.

• Sunlight and wind are examples of renewable resources. Trees and cotton are also renewable resources. They can be replanted once they are used.

• ​If they are used wisely, renewable resources can last indefinitely.

NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES

• Cannot be replaced as fast as they are used.

• ​Some nonrenewable resources, such as minerals and fossil fuels, take millions of years to form.

• ​When using resources, consider the benefits and costs. For example, cutting trees to make lumber for homes may seem like a benefit. But the cost might be that certain organisms lose their habitats.

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the given word is a renewable resource or non renewable resource.

SOLAR ENERGY

• RENEWABLE RESOUCE

• NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the given word is a renewable resource or non renewable resource.

COAL

• RENEWABLE RESOUCE

• NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the given word is a renewable resource or non renewable resource.

SOIL

• RENEWABLE RESOUCE

• NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the given word is a renewable resource or non renewable resource.

ALUMINUM

• RENEWABLE RESOUCE

• NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the given word is a renewable resource or non renewable resource.

OIL

• RENEWABLE RESOUCE

• NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the given word is a renewable resource or non renewable resource.

TREES

• RENEWABLE RESOUCE

• NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE

Multiple Choice

It can be replaced through natural processes almost as fast as they can be used.

• RENEWABLE RESOUCE

• NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE

AIR RESOURCES

• Nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are gases that are essential to life. These gases are renewable resources because they cycle in the environment.

• ​Air pollution results when certain substances are put into the atmosphere. Many of these substances are produced when fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are burned. Air pollution can affect all living organisms, including humans. When air is polluted, some people have trouble breathing.

LAND RESOURCES

• Land resources include farmlands, grazing lands, soil, minerals, forests, and wildlife. People build houses and other structures on land.

• Soil covers much of Earth's land, and people us it to grow crops and other plants. Without soil, you wouldn't have much of the food you eat.

  Soil may take hundreds of years to form, and it can be easily eroded by wind and water. Many farmers take steps, such as rotating crops and limiting areas of bare soil, to reduce soil erosion.

LAND RESOURCES

• Land also provides us with the many minerals we use everyday. The automobiles, bus, or bike you ride is made with the mineral iron. Iron is also used to build many buildings and machines. Limestone, a rock containing the mineral calcite, is used to make cement, which is used to make buildings, bridges, and sidewalks.

• Minerals take thousands of years to form, so they are nonrenewable resources.

FORESTS

• Many materials we use everyday come from forests. Some nuts, fruits, and even medicines come from rain forests. Scientists are researching forest plants for other medicines that may be able to treat diseases.

• ​Forests also provide a habitat for many species. when forests are cut down, these species may not be able to adapt to a new environment. Some species become extinct as large tracts of forests are cut down.

• ​Forests paly an important role in controlling carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere

Open Ended

What products do you use that come from forests?

WATER RESOURCES

• Water is considered a renewable resource because it is recycled in the water cycle. But if water becomes polluted, it cannot be used safely. As water flows across land, it can pick up pollution, including fertilizers and pesticides. Chemicals from industry are another source of water pollution.

• ​About 75% of Earth's surface is covered by water.

• ​Fresh water makes up only 3% of Earth's water, and much of that fresh water is frozen, such as glaciers. Frozen water is not available for use.

OCEAN RESOURCES

• ​Salt is an ocean resource found in large amounts. Most of the salt in the ocean is sodium chloride - table salt. Salts can be removed from ocean water when the water evaporates.

• ​Other minerals, such as tin, magnesium, iron, and copper, can be found in large amounts on the ocean floor. Many of these minerals form around a small object such as a shark's tooth. These lumps of minerals are called nodules.

• ​Minerals aren't the only resources on the ocean floor. Deposits of oil and natural gas exist beneath the ocean floor. Wells can be drilled deep into the ocean bottom to remove these products.

OCEAN RESOURCES

• ​Another source of energy can be found in Earth's oceans. We can capture the energy of the ocean tides and use it to generate electricity. Tidal energy is inexpensive and does not pollute the environment - and it is a renewable resource.

CONNECTIONS AMONG RESOURCES

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• Although Earth has a plentiful supply of many resources, the supply can be affected by human activities. Air, land, and water can become polluted. Habitats can be changed or destroyed. supplies can be used up more quickly than they can be replaced

• ​Scientists found that 83% of Earth's total land has been influenced by human activity. They also discovered that 98% of the land where it is possible to grow rice, wheat, and maize - the world's three main crops - is directly affected by human activities.

REDUCING THE IMPACT

• ​One way you can practice conservation is to use the three Rs: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYC:E

• ​REDUCE

  • ​Turn off water when brushing your teeth

  • ​Turn out lights when you leave a room

• ​RECYCLE

  • ​Participate in community recycling programs

  • ​Buy products made from recycled materials

• ​REUSE

  • ​Find new ways to reuse products

Multiple Choice

About _______ of Earth's surface is covered by water.

• 85%

• 60%

• 75%

• 90%

Multiple Choice

Water is a _________ resource.

• Renewable

• Nonrenewable

Multiple Choice

These lumps of minerals are called ________

• modules

• nodules

• Limestone

Multiple Choice

These are the world's three main crops, except...

• Rice

• Bread

• Wheat