Using the Earths Resources

Examples of Earth’s Resources

• Humans use resources for:

  • Warmth

  • Shelter

  • Food

  • Transport

• Many resources come from agriculture:

  • Cotton (plant-based, grown in large quantities).

  • Trees (planted for timber or fuel, e.g. wood chips used in biofuel power stations).

• Synthetic alternatives:

  • Natural rubber → comes from sap of trees.

  • Synthetic rubber → made from crude oil.

  • Around two-thirds of rubber used worldwide is synthetic.

Finite Resources

• Finite resources: cannot be replaced as quickly as they are used.

  • Example: Fossil fuels

    • Used in millions of kilograms per day.

    • Take millions of years to form → will eventually run out.

  • Example: Metals

    • Extracted in huge amounts from Earth’s crust.

    • Supplies will eventually run out.

Renewable Resources

• Renewable resources: replaced as quickly as they are used.

  • Example: Wood

  • Will never run out if managed sustainably.

Sustainability

• Sustainability: Meeting current needs without preventing future generations from meeting theirs.

• Chemistry’s role:

  • Artificial fertilisers → increase food production.

  • Safe drinking water → provided by chemical processes.

  • Phytomining & Bioleaching → allow more efficient metal extraction.

✅ Key Idea:

• Finite resources (fossil fuels, metals) will eventually run out.

• Renewable resources (wood, crops, biofuels) can be replenished.

• Sustainable use is essential for the future.