Human Dependency on Resources

Human Dependency on Resources

By Katie Welzenbach

What is a Natural Resource?

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Natural resources are resources that exist on our planet independent of human actions.

There are two types of Natural Resources: Renewable resources and Non-renewable resources.

 resources that are available in infinite quantity and can be used repeatedly are called renewable resources. Example: Forest, wind, water, etc.​

Renewable​ Resources​

resources that are limited in abundance due to their non-renewable nature and whose availability may run out in the future are called non-renewable resources. Examples include fossil fuels, minerals, etc.

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Non-Renewable Resources

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Compare and Contrast

Differences between Resource Type

Renewable resource	Non-renewable resource
It can be renewed as it is available in infinite quantity	Once completely consumed, it cannot be renewed due to limited stock
Sustainable in nature	Exhaustible in nature
Low cost and environment-friendly	High cost and less environment-friendly
Replenish quickly	Replenish slowly or do not replenish naturally at all

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a renewable resource?

• solar power

• coal

• oil

• natural gas

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a Natural Resource?

• Trees

• Oil

• Wind

• Electricity

Rocks and Minerals

Almost all Earth materials are used by humans for something. We require metals for making machines, sands and gravels for making roads and buildings, sand for making computer chips, limestone and gypsum for making concrete, clays for making ceramics, gold, silver, copper and aluminum for making electric circuits, and diamonds and corundum (sapphire, ruby, emerald) for abrasives and jewelry.

Rocks and Minerals as a Resource

A mineral resource is a volume of rock enriched in one or more useful materials. In this sense a mineral refers to a useful material. Here the word mineral can be any substance that comes from the Earth.

Minerals form in a variety of ways. Some minerals form from very hot fluids. Some form from cool fluids. Some form when solid minerals rearrange.

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​Where are Rocks and Minerals found?

​Minerals are often found in the Earth's crust. Minerals are found in rocks but they are not Rocks themselves. Rocks are a combination of many different minerals.

is a solid, carbon-heavy rock that is the main contributor of carbon emissions in the United States. It is burned to create energy.

Coal

is a liquid fossil fuel made up mostly of hydrocarbons. Oil can be found in underground reservoirs; in the cracks, crevices, and pores of sedimentary rock. It is accessed through Drilling.

Oil

Composed mostly of Methane, is extracted out of the ground and used as a fuel source in homes and vehicles.

Natural Gas

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Multiple Choice

All of the following are nonrenewable resources EXCEPT

• Coal

• Oil

• Natural Gas

• Wood

Multiple Choice

A farmer decides that he is going to produce his own energy on the farm by using a type of renewable energy. The renewable energy could come from--

• setting up wind turbines

• using natural gas

• having a coal furnace

• burning oil

Multiple Choice

Some factories that burn coal produce smoke with harmful chemicals, such as sulfur. Scrubbers are devices that are attached to the smokestacks to reduce the amount of sulfur put into the atmosphere. To evaluate the effectiveness of these devices, what data would need to be collected?

• The average amount of sulfur in a certain amount of coal

• The increase in the use of scrubbers by factories that burn coal

• The amount of sulfur emitted (produced) by a smokestack before and after the scrubber is attached

• The amount of coal a factory burns each year and how much sulfur it emits (produces)

Clean Water

All life on Earth depends on water

s a crucial resource for human life, access to freshwater has historically determined where civilizations began and thrived. Freshwater exists on Earth’s surface in lakes, rivers, and ice, as well as below the surface as ground water. However, it is a limited resource; freshwater makes up only about three percent of all water on Earth.

Although freshwater is considered a renewable resource,the use of freshwater in some regions exceeds the ability of natural processes to replenish supplies. When the demand for freshwater cannot be met, it can lead to political tension and public-health problems.

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Air and Climate

The atmosphere plays an important part in maintaining Earth’s freshwater supply. It is part of the water cycle. It refills lakes and rivers with precipitation. The atmosphere also provides organisms with gases needed for life. It contains oxygen for cellular respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

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Earth’s atmosphere is vast. However, it has been seriously polluted by human activities. Air pollution consists of chemical substances and particles released into the atmosphere, mainly by human actions. The major cause of outdoor air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels. Power plants, motor vehicles, and home furnaces all burn fossil fuels and contribute to the problem.

Ranching and using chemicals such as fertilizers also cause air pollution. Erosion of soil in farm fields and construction sites adds dust particles to the air as well. Fumes from building materials, furniture, carpets, and paint add toxic chemicals to indoor air.

Air Pollution

Land Resources

The term “land resources” encompasses the physical, biotic, environmental, infrastructural and socio-economic components of a natural land unit, including surface and near-surface freshwater resources important for management.

​We use land for agricultural use, building communities, mining for other resources.​

Humans have depleted those resources through farming, ranching, and mining.​