2.1 Resources and reserves

Topic 2: Resource management

Natural resources

Materials from nature - oil, coal, water, air, sunlight etc. They are used to make food, fuel, everyday products like clothes electronics and packaging

Raw materials

Basic natural substances (e.g. cocoa, milk, wood, iron) used to make finished goods

Reserves

The KNOWN amounts of natural resources that can be used in the future. Often stored underground (like coal, oil or gas) and are considered LIMITED quantities that are recoverable with current technology.

Reserves

The natural resources that have been IDENTIFIED in terms of quantity and quality

Renewable resources

Can “recharge” naturally at about the same rate they are used (e.g. sun, wind, water)

Nonrenewable resources

Have a limited supply and take millions of years to form (e.g. coal, oil, natural gas). Once used, they cannot be replaced