Resources 2

RESOURCES
What is a Resource?
A substance or object in the environment required by an organism for normal growth,
maintenance and reproduction.
OR
It is a stock, supply of money, materials, staff (human resource) and other assets that can be
drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. It benefits the persons who
are using it.
What is a Natural Resource?
A natural resource is any substance found in nature that is necessary or useful to humans.
Examples –minerals such as bauxite, metal ores, water, land, fuel, soil, plants, animals. These
resources provide use with food, fuel, fiber, shelter, cycling of nutrients etc.
Natural resources can be renewable or non – renewable.
Renewable resources – A renewable resource are those that can be reused and quickly
replenished by the environment over a short period of time. e.g. sun, wind
Non – renewable resource- A non-renewable resource is one that is formed in nature over
extremely long periods of time (millions of years). Present in the earth in finite amounts (limited
supply).It is used up at a much faster rate than it can be replenished e.g. fossil fuels ; crude oil,
coal, natural gas
What does sustainability mean?
Ability to meet ones needs and not wants
What is a sustainable resource?
A sustainable resource is a resource that can be continuously be replenished, or there is an
endless amount of it that can be captured or harnessed and useful towards providing energy
without there being a decrease in supply. Sustainability resource use involves practices that allow
for the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising future
generations to meet their own needs.
When considering sustainability, one must rethink the resources used, how they are used, and it
their use is required. This leads to greater efficiency. Sustainable resources use involves: using
alternative energy resources of energy, reducing use of chemicals/resources that can harm the
environment, reducing reusing and recycling waste and conservation.
IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Energy
As human population increases, the demand for fuels increases. If continued this will lead to
depletion of these fuel sources. Other effects include increase in CO2 (carbon dioxide) emission
which can lead to global warming, climate changes, air pollution (acid rain) due to combustion
of these fuels. Alternative forms of energy will need to be looked at.
Minerals
E.g. Iron, zinc, bauxite, gypsum, gold, marble, aluminum
Excessive use has led to a decrease in the availability globally. Alternative materials should be
used or humans should engage in recycling of materials where possible so less enters the waste
streams.
Forest
Forests are cleared or cut down to provide infrastructure (roads, houses, industries) and to allow
for agricultural land, materials for fuel, paper.
Deforestations leads to
• Loss of habitats upsetting natural ecosystems
• Upsets soil as there is no plant cover leading to erosion due to absence of leaves to break
force of rain and roots to bind soil. Soil become infertile due to removal or minerals by
agricultural crops. Soil more likely to be leached (soluble minerals washed out/loss from
top soil and action of percolating water by rainwater and irrigation
• Destruction of biota which can lead to extinction of species.
• Reduction in photosynthesis, increasing the CO2 levels.
• Disruption in water cycle
Marine
Humans continue to pollute the water supply due to overuse of chemicals (sewage, detergents,
insecticide/fertilizers; leads to eutrophication/algal bloom) that get in the water ways. Runoff
from factories and households also add to the pollution. This limits the amount of potable water
available.
Overfishing/Overhunting
The sea is being framed and wildlife is hunted to provide food for the growing population. This
affects the ecosystem as it disrupts the natural food chain. This can be adjusted by having
hunting seasons and laws regarding size and age of animal hunted or fished. Fish farms e.g.
tilapia have been set up to ensure survival in natural environment while still fulfilling need for
food.
Overpopulation
Nature maintains a balance so that all the populations are kept in their stationery growth phase.
When a population size increases beyond this point, nature intervenes and certain checks occur
to increases the death rate and ultimately reduce the size of the population.
• Food shortages
• Overcrowding leads to competition for (space, mates, shelter, food, light for plants and
increased prevalence of disease)
• More predators present
• Natural disasters such as storms, hurricanes, floods, drought, earthquakes, and volcanic
eruptions occur causing sudden loss of plant and animal life.
If the human populations continues to increase exponentially then similar checks to those
operating in nature can occur
• Shortages of food, land and natural resources will develop
• Overcrowding
• Diseases will spread
This is already occurring in some parts of the world (food shortages in African nations) It is
predicted that the above checks with pollution will cause Man’s population to enter a phase of
decline when the death rate is much greater than the birth rate, and the human population will
“crash”
HOMEWORK
1. Compare renewable and non-renewable energy resources
2. Briefly explain how oil, coal and natural gas are made.
3. Work in groups of 5 and explain how each of the following alternative forms are energy are
produces and state and explain the advantages and disadvantages that arise with each
• Wind
• Tidal
• Hydro
• Geothermal
• Biofuel
• Nuclear

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RESOURCES

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