Unit 2: Using Earth's Resources

Using Earth's Resources

Introduction

• We depend on Earth's natural resources.
• Key questions to consider:
  • What are natural resources?
  • Where are they located?
  • Are there enough resources to meet our needs?

Learning Outcome

• By the end of this sub-unit, you should be able to list and describe the various types of Earth's natural resources.

Success Criteria

• Name the types of natural resources.
• Classify these resources into renewable and non-renewable categories.
• Suggest reasons for the uneven distribution of resources.

Did You Know?

• In the UK, over 500 million small electrical items are thrown away each year.
• These items should be recycled.

Meeting Our Needs

• Humans depend on Earth's natural resources every day to fulfill our basic needs.
• We have five basic needs that must be met for survival.
• Early ancestors utilized the natural resources available to them to meet these needs.
• About 12,000 years ago, we learned how to farm, making soil an important resource.
• Over time, we discovered more ways to utilize Earth's resources, such as metals, gas, and oil.
• Today, we still have the same basic needs as our ancestors, along with additional wants.

Needs vs. Wants

• Need: Something necessary to live and function, including:
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Shelter
  • Medical care
• Want: Something that can improve the quality of life but is not essential for survival.
• Everything else that does not fall into the need category.

The Challenge

• The human population is continuously rising, having more than doubled in the last 50 years.
• This leads to increased consumption of Earth's resources.
• The supply of most natural resources is finite.
• Competition for resources exists, and some may become scarce.

What are Natural Resources?

• A natural resource is something that occurs naturally without human intervention.
• We can make use of natural resources.
• Examples: soil, water, wind, sunlight, coal, and oil.
• Plastic is not a natural resource because it is manufactured in factories from chemicals derived from oil.

Renewable vs. Non-renewable Resources

• Renewable Resource: A resource that can be used continuously without running out.
  • Example: Sunlight for growing crops, which is expected to continue for approximately 5 billion years.
• Non-renewable Resource: A resource that is finite and will eventually run out.
  • Example: Copper used in electrical wiring. While millions of tons are mined annually, no more will form. Eventually, new deposits may become difficult to find.

Renewable Energy Resources

• Wind
• Hydropower
• Solar
• Geothermal
• Biomass

Non-Renewable Energy Resources

• Oil
• Coal
• Natural Gas
• Nuclear

Where are Natural Resources Located?

• Natural resources are found everywhere but are not shared equally.
• For example, rainfall and sunlight vary in intensity from country to country.
• Modern society utilizes resources from all over the world.
• Eating an orange involves the use of soil, water, and sunshine from places like Spain, Brazil, or California.
• The uneven distribution of resources like oil has contributed to wealth and conflict among nations.

Chapter Focus

• The chapter will focus on three essential resources: water, food, and energy.
• The challenges humans face in meeting the growing population's needs for these resources will be explored.

Plenary Tasks - Discussion

• What is a natural resource?
• What is a finite resource?
• Consider the following items:
  • A. air
  • B. paper
  • C. rock
  • D. rain
  • E. the ocean
  • F. glass
  • G. rainforest
  • H. chocolate
  • Is it a natural resource? Explain.
  • If yes, provide an example of how to use it.

Plenary Tasks - Renewable vs. Non-renewable

• What is a renewable resource?
• What is a non-renewable resource?
• Determine if each resource is renewable or non-renewable and explain why.
  • A. Wind
  • B. Coal
  • C. Gold
  • D. Rain