Natural Resources and Their Use

Overview

Natural resources are materials and forces from nature that humans use to meet their needs. They include land, soil, water, forests, minerals, air and sources of energy. How wisely a society uses its resources decides its prosperity and the health of the environment for future generations.

Key points

• Resources are classified as renewable (water, forests, solar energy) and non-renewable (coal, petroleum, minerals).
• They are also grouped as biotic (from living things) and abiotic (from non-living things).
• Resources are unevenly distributed across the Earth, so trade and cooperation are important.
• Over-use, pollution and deforestation cause resource depletion and harm ecosystems.
• Sustainable development means using resources to meet present needs without harming future generations.
• Conservation methods include the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and shifting to clean energy.

Important terms / dates

• Renewable resource: one that can be replenished naturally over time.
• Non-renewable resource: one that takes millions of years to form and can run out.
• Sustainable development: balanced use of resources for present and future needs.
• Conservation: careful protection and wise use of resources.

Important questions

1. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.
2. What is sustainable development and why is it important?
3. Explain the 3 Rs and how they help in conservation.
4. Why are natural resources unevenly distributed on Earth?

Quick revision

Natural resources are gifts of nature classified as renewable or non-renewable and biotic or abiotic. Because many are limited, we must conserve them through sustainable use and the 3 Rs so that future generations also benefit.