3.4.2 Global Resources

Global Resources

3.4.2

Objectives

Learners can:

• explain the importance of global resources

• identify the challenges in using and conserving global resources sustainably

• examine strategies to protect and manage global resources for the future

• exploitation

• resource distribution

• sustainable resource

Prerequisite Vocab

• ecological footprint

New Vocab

Vocabulary

the impact of human activities on the environment based on resource use

​

Ecological Footprint

Match

Match the vocabulary word with its definition.

• resource distribution

• sustainable resource

• exploitation

how resources are spread across a region

resource the can last for generations

using too much of a natural resource

• how resources are spread across a region

• resource the can last for generations

• using too much of a natural resource

Types of Global Resources

The United States is one of the largest consumers of the world's global resources. However, as more countries grow economically and the average standard of living increases, global resources will become more strained from increased demand. Many resources are only found in limited amounts, and even renewable resources will run out if they are exploited and overused.

Sand is used for many purposes, including recreation and glass production. Sand is often harvested from the ocean floor, which can destroy ocean ecosystems.

​​Sand

While water is replenished through the water cycle, many global water sources are experiencing overexploitation and pollution.

Water

Fossil fuels provide much of the world's energy supply. However, the extraction and use of fossil fuels heavily impact global ecosystems.

Fossil Fuels

Palm oil is the most commonly used vegetable oil in the world. It is used in making bread, chocolate, soap, and cosmetics.

Palm Oil

There is a significant demand for lumber resources. However, the exploitation of trees has led to substantial deforestation.

Lumber

Soil is necessary for a majority of agriculture. However, soil resources have been depleted due to pollution, erosion, development, and bad agricultural practices.

Soil

Multiple Choice

Which of the following has led to increasing demand for global natural resources?

• decreasing consumption patterns

• increasing conservation efforts

• increasing standard of living

• decreasing population growth

​Resource Distribution

Resource distribution also applies to global resources because some countries have abundant resources. In contrast, other countries lack access to specific natural resources.

The unequal distribution of global resources is primarily due to past geologic processes. Exploring locations of resources on world maps helps to understand how resources are spread unevenly across the globe.

Many oil reserves are located near the coast or the equator. These ocean reserves result from the building up of organic material on the ocean floor millions of years ago.

Offshore Oil

Uranium is a desirable resource for many countries for nuclear energy production and nuclear weapon development.

Uranium Resources

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is primarily responsible for the unequal distribution of natural resources around the world?

• political conflict

• human population density

• climate change

• past geologic processes

Environmental Impacts

Ecological footprint refers to the impact of human activities on the environment based on resource use. A nation's ecological footprint factors in energy consumption, transportation, food production, and waste generation. The more resources a nation consumes, the greater its effect on the environment, and the larger its ecological footprint.

United States: one of the largest ecological footprints in the world
Europe: many European countries fall within the middle range of ecological footprints
Africa: some African countries have a very minimal ecological footprint

​

Ecological Footprint

Multiple Choice

Which of the following activities is most likely to contribute to a country's ecological footprint?

• planting trees in urban areas

• building new highways and increasing car usage

• encouraging the use of public transportation

• promoting renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power

Home

Open in new tab

Copy link

Resource Management

This strategy often involves governments establishing policies and practices to reduce consumption and promote sustainable practices. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, Africa is an example of an internationally protected environment.

​​Conservation

Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve resources. The practice of recycling promotes the reuse of materials.

Recycling

Sustainable development balances economic, social, and environmental factors to promote sustainability. This strategy has governments promoting renewable energy and green technology while promoting equitable resource access.

Sustainable Development

Nations must work together to develop policies and practices that promote sustainability and support economically developing countries. In 2015, the United Nations established a series of sustainable development goals to promote sustainability worldwide.

International Cooperation

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements describes why it is crucial for nations to work together to protect global natural resources?

• Natural resources are evenly distributed around the world.

• Global environmental challenges require international cooperation.

• Resource conservation efforts only benefit economically developed nations.

• The depletion of natural resources only affects economically developing nations.