module 3: natural resources (2025)

Alternative Energy Source

Non-conventional energy source such as solar, wind, and biomass energy

Carbon Source

Fossil fuel that, when burned, releases carbon into the atmosphere thus increasing global warming

Clear-Cutting

Logging method where all trees in an area (except for very small ones) are cut at one time

Commercial Forest

Part of a forest that has large enough trees and is close enough to a market to allow it to be harvested by the forest industry

Conventional Energy Source

Well-established source of energy such as oil, natural gas, coal, hydro and nuclear electricity

Ecological FootPrint (EF)

Measure of total human impact on an ecosystem

Energy Conservation

Process where people use energy, in all its forms, more efficiently and carefully than they have in the past

Fossil Fuel

Any mineral that can be burned to provide energy (coal, natural gas, oil)

Global Warming

Warming of the world's temperatures as a result of rising levels of carbon dioxide and other ghg in the atmosphere

Hydro-Electric Generating System

Facility that generates electricity by the movement of falling water

Metallic Mineral

Mineral that yields a metal when processed, like iron, gold, silver, and uranium

Mineral

Valuable substance taken from rocks by mining

Mineral Reserves

Known quantity of minerals in a country or area

Non-Metallic Mineral

Mineral that yields non-minerals when processed, like salt, potash, and asbestos

Nuclear - Electric Generating System

Place where energy, in the form of heat, is generated by splitting up radioactive materials, then is used to generate electricity

Oil Sand

Mixture of heavy crude oil, sand, and water

Open Pit Mining

Method of mining using a large hole that is dug for the purpose of extracting ore found near the Earth's surface

Pipeline

Line of pipes for carrying gas, oil, or other liquids

Secondary Recovery

Variety of methods to remove a greater percentage of oil from deposits. Even with secondary recovery, only about 60% of oil in most deposits can be recovered

Shelter Wood Logging

Method of forest harvesting where up to 70% of trees are cut, leaving small patches of old growth standing to provide seeds for regeneration

Stewardship

Management of resources in a careful and sustainable way

Strip Mining

Method of mining used to recover mineral deposits located very near the surface

Sustained Yield Forest Management

Use of forest resources at a rate that allows forests to renew themselves

Thermal-Electric Generating Station

Electrical power plant where electricity is generated from energy produced by burning fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas

UnderGround Mining

Method of mining used to recover deep mineral deposits