Natural Resources
Natural resources are materials from the Earth that are
used to support life and meet people’s needs.
Any natural substance that humans use can be considered
a natural resource. Oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone
and sand are natural resources. Other natural resources
are air, sunlight, soil and water. Animals, birds, sh and
plants are natural resources as well.
Natural resources are used to make food, fuel and raw
materials for the production of goods. All of the food
that people eat comes from plants or animals. Natural
resources such as coal, natural gas and oil provide
heat, light and power. Natural resources also are the
raw materials for making products that we use everyday
from our toothbrush and lunch box to our clothes, cars,
televisions, computers and refrigerators.
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Renewable resources are those natural resources such
as trees, water, sun and wind that can be replenished at
about the same rate at which they are used. Renewable
resources, however, can be depleted if not properly
managed or conserved.
Nonrenewable resources are those natural resources that
are depleted more quickly than they can regenerate. Fossil
fuels like oil and natural gas were formed over millions of
years. Once mined and used completely, nonrenewable
resources are gone forever.
The Challenges of Using Natural Resources
Extracting, processing and using natural resources can
cause environmental problems such as: air, land and water
pollution; disruption or destruction of ecosystems; and a
decrease in biodiversity.
For example, carbon dioxide – which is produced from
burning coal, oil and natural gas (fossil fuels) – is a critical
greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases absorb and retain
heat from the sun. Examples of greenhouse gases include
methane, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and certain chlorinated
hydrocarbons. Many scientists believe that the build up of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can cause global
climate change (change in the average global temperature
of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface). Over time,
this condition could pose dangers around the world such
as ooding, drought and disease.
Extracting and using natural resources also can disturb
relationships within ecosystems. What are ecosystems?
Ecosystems, which include ponds, wood lots and elds,
are self-regulating communities of plants and animals that
interact with each other and their non-living environment.
For example, trees cleared from a eld can destroy
habitats used by many animals, forcing them to nd homes
elsewhere. If these animals leave the ecosystem, further
disturbances can occur within plant and animal populations
that depend on these species.
Extracting and using natural resources – along with other
human activities – may decrease biodiversity – that is the
variety of organisms that live on the Earth. Diminishing the
Earth’s biodiversity has a substantial human cost because
Products Made
from Natural Resources
People use an abundance of resources to survive in a continually
developing world. Globally, however, some people live simpler
lifestyles than others and therefore use fewer resources. This table
lists some natural resources and the products and services people
produce from them.
NATURAL RESOURCE PRODUCT/SERVICE
Trees Paper, furniture, fuel
Cotton Clothing
Oil/petroleum
Plastic, fuel
Natural gas Fuel
Coal Fuel
Iron ore
Steel products (cans, bridges)
Bauxite ore Aluminum products (cans, car
parts)
Gold Jewelry, dental material
Copper Wire, coins, electrical equipment
Manganese Steel, cast iron
Cobalt Steel, jet engine parts, cutting
tools
Platinum Air pollution control and telecom-
munications equipment, jewelry
Chromium Stainless steel, green glass,
leather treatment
Diamonds
Jewelry, mechanical equipment
SOURCE:
“The Quest for Less: A Teacher’s Guide to Reducing, Reusing
and Recycling,” 2005 edition, U.S. EPA.