Creating a Sustainable Future for All.
Protecting Our National Natural Resources.
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Natural Resources video is a fun and engaging way to introduce earths resources.
In this video we will learn all about natural resources and take away some fun interesting facts everyone should know. We learn about of few of our resources like Water, Air, Coal and more, the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources, how we can help our natural resources last and much much more!
Natural resources are the raw materials, substances and sources of energy that we use and that occur naturally.
Natural resources are essential for human life and economic development. They provide us with food, water, energy, shelter, and medicine. They are also used to manufacture a wide range of products, from clothing to electronics.
Petrol, metals, soil, sand, wind, water and everything in between are natural resources.
Manufactured items such as plastic, sheet metal, fabrics, microchips, electricity and concrete are not natural resources, but are most definitely derived from natural resources.
Think about the relationship between natural resources and manufactured products. In essence, we call them “natural” resources because they are things human society uses that are created (or were created in the case of fossil fuels) without human intervention.
Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy is the heat energy generated and stored in the Earth. It can be used to generate electricity and heat homes and businesses.
Biomass energy: Biomass energy is the energy produced from organic matter, such as wood, crops, and manure. It can be used to generate electricity and heat homes and businesses.
Wind: Wind is another clean and abundant source of energy that can be used to generate wind power.
Sunlight: Sunlight is a clean and abundant source of energy that can be used to generate solar power.
Water: Water is a renewable resource that can be used for drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectric power.
Perpetually Renewable Resources
Perpetually renewable resources are the easiest resources to understand; these are natural resources that are constantly replenished by the Sun’s and Earth’s natural processes. For example, every day the sun delivers an average of 198 Watts of energy to every square meter (m2) of the Earth’s surface. For comparison a standard incandescent light bulb in a bedside lamp uses 40 Watts, or a 100kg person climbing a step in 2 seconds uses roughly 200 Watts. Every day without fail for the last 5 billion years (plus or minus a few hundred million years) the Sun has delivered this solar energy.
Together with geothermal energy (heat from the Earth’s interior), the Sun’s perpetual energy powers the winds, ocean currents, precipitation and most of the Earth’s plant life. Solar and geothermal natural resources currently energise a significant and growing percentage of many nations’ electrical grids. It is perpetually renewable in the sense that no matter how much we use in terms of human time-scales (e.g decades to millennia), the Sun and the Earth will always make more.
Conclusion
Perpetually renewable resources are those that can be replenished at a rate equal to or greater than their rate of consumption. This means that they can be used sustainably for an indefinite period of time.
Perpetually renewable resources are important for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change. They also offer a variety of other benefits, such as reducing air pollution, creating jobs, and boosting economic growth.
We can all help to promote the use of perpetually renewable resources by making changes in our own lives, such as using energy-efficient appliances, driving less, and using renewable energy sources to power our homes and businesses.
Forests: Forests are essential for regulating the climate and protecting water resources. They also provide us with lumber, paper, and other products. However, forests can be depleted through deforestation and overharvesting. To conserve forests, we need to plant trees, manage forests sustainably, and reduce our consumption of forest products.
Wildlife: Wildlife plays an important role in ecosystems and provides us with a variety of benefits, such as recreation and tourism. However, wildlife populations can be depleted by habitat loss, poaching, and other threats. To conserve wildlife, we need to protect habitats, manage wildlife populations sustainably, and reduce our impact on wildlife.
Soil: Soil is essential for growing food and other crops. However, soil can be degraded through erosion, nutrient depletion, and pollution. To conserve soil, we need to use sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and cover cropping. We also need to reduce our use of pesticides and herbicides.
Fish: Fish are a valuable source of food and income for people around the world. However, overfishing can lead to the depletion of fish stocks. To conserve fish stocks, we need to manage fisheries sustainably and reduce our consumption of seafood.
Groundwater: Groundwater is a valuable source of drinking water for many people around the world. However, groundwater can be overdrawn, leading to depletion of aquifers. To conserve groundwater, we need to use water efficiently and reduce our reliance on groundwater. We can also recharge aquifers by infiltrating rainwater into the ground.
Intermediate Renewable Resources
Intermediate renewable resources are only renewable resources if we don’t use them too quickly. They are resources such as freshwater, soil, crops and trees for timber. If we didn’t use them, they would be perpetually renewable, but because they require time (on human time-scales) to regenerate or grow, we can overuse them until they are no longer available.
Freshwater is a great example of an intermediate renewable resource. Through the water cycle, the sun evaporates water from the surface of saltwater oceans that travels over land and falls back to earth as freshwater rain. This rain fills the lakes, rivers and aquifers we use for agriculture, industry and drinking water. If we use this freshwater at the same rate as the rain recharging it, then we won’t run out. If we use the freshwater faster than it recharges, then we will. Intermediate renewable resources must be carefully managed to ensure they are not depleted.
Conclusion
Intermediate renewable resources are those that are renewable, but only with human interference. They are typically resources that have a limited lifespan, but can be replenished over time with human management.
Intermediate renewable resources are important for human life and economic development, but they must be used wisely and sustainably. By taking steps to conserve these resources, we can ensure that they will be available for future generations.
Here are some additional important points about intermediate renewable resources:
Intermediate renewable resources can be used to produce a variety of products and services, including food, energy, and materials.
Intermediate renewable resources can help to reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels.
The conservation of intermediate renewable resources can help to protect the environment and biodiversity.
Managing intermediate renewable resources sustainably can create jobs and boost economic growth.
We can all help to conserve intermediate renewable resources by making changes in our own lives, such as:
Eating less meat and more plant-based foods
Reducing our consumption of seafood
Using sustainable agricultural practices in our gardens
Conserving water
Reducing our impact on wildlife habitats
support policies that promote the conservation of intermediate renewable resources and the sustainable management of these resources.
Oil: Oil is a fossil fuel that is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. It is used to produce gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products.
Metals: Metals are naturally occurring elements that are characterized by their high electrical conductivity and malleability. They are used to produce a wide range of products, from cars and buildings to electronics and jewelry.
Minerals: Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances that have a definite chemical composition and crystal structure. They are used to produce a wide range of products, from metals to fertilizers.
Coal: Coal is another fossil fuel that is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. It is used to generate electricity and produce steel.
Natural gas: Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. It is used to generate electricity and heat homes and businesses.
Non-renewable Resources
The last category of natural resources are the non-renewables. These are resources that will not regenerate on human time-scales. Once they have been depleted they will no longer be available and no more will be made. The most common examples of non-renewable resources are fossil fuels, so-called because most were created by processes that take millions of years. Fossil fuels include crude oil, natural gas, coal and uranium. Other non-renewable resources include metals, lithium and rare-Earth elements (REE’s), but it’s important to remember that while we may eventually run out of mineable metals and REE’s, with careful waste management, these can be recovered through recycling. However, it is not the same for fossil fuels as using them for energy alters their chemistry so they are no longer useful.
Conclusion
Non-renewable natural resources are important for human life and economic development, but they must be used wisely and sustainably. We need to conserve our non-renewable resources so that they will be available for future generations.
NNon-renewable resources are essential for many of the products and services that we rely on. For example, fossil fuels are used to generate electricity, power our vehicles, and produce plastics and other petrochemicals. Minerals are used to make metals, ceramics, and other materials that are used in construction, manufacturing, and other industries.
Non-renewable resources are finite, meaning that they will eventually run out. This is why it is important to conserve them and use them wisely.
The extraction and use of non-renewable resources can have negative environmental impacts. For example, the burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contribute to climate change. Mining operations can also damage air and water quality and disturb wildlife habitats.
Reduce our consumption of energy and materials. This can be done by making changes in our daily lives, such as driving less, using energy-efficient appliances, and recycling.
Develop and use renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Improve the efficiency of energy production and use. This can be done by developing new technologies and by improving the way that we operate existing systems.
Substitute renewable materials for non-renewable materials whenever possible. For example, we can use bamboo instead of wood for some products, and recycled materials instead of virgin materials.
Support policies that promote the conservation of non-renewable resources and the development of renewable energy sources.
Invest in businesses that are developing and using sustainable technologies.
By conserving non-renewable resources, we can ensure that they will be available for future generations and reduce the environmental impacts of their extraction and use.
Exploring the Natural Resources
Wind: Wind can be used to generate wind energy, which can be used to power homes and businesses. It can also be used to sail boats and grind grain.
Water: Water is essential for human life. We use it for drinking, cooking, bathing, and agriculture. It is also used to generate hydroelectric power.
Forests: Forests provide us with lumber, paper, and other products. They also play an important role in regulating the climate and protecting water resources
Fossil fuels: Fossil fuels are a major source of energy for homes and businesses. They are also used to produce gasoline and other petroleum produc
Minerals: Minerals are used to produce a wide range of products, from metals to fertilizers. They are also essential for human hea
Fish: Fish are a valuable source of food and income for people around the world. They also play an important role in the marine ecosyste
Metals: Metals are used to produce a wide range of products, from cars and buildings to electronics and jew
Natural resources are important for human life and economic development, but they must be used wisely and sustainably. We need to protect our renewable resources and conserve our non-renewable resources so that they will be available for future generations.
Here are some ways to use natural resources more wisely and sustainably:
Reduce, reuse, and recycle: Reduce the amount of resources you use, reuse items whenever possible, and recycle materials that can be recycled.
Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs: This will help you to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your utility bills.
Drive less and walk, bike, or take public transportation more often: This will help to reduce your carbon footprint and air pollution.
Support businesses that use sustainable practices: This will help to reduce the environmental impact of the products and services that you consume.
By taking these steps, we can help to protect our natural resources and ensure that they will be available for future generations.