Chapter 5 INTERACTING WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT NATURAL RESOURCES

Chapter 5 INTERACTING WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT

NATURAL RESOURCES � Natural resources are useful materials found in the environment. – water, minerals, vegetation � Some natural resources can be used just as they are found but most need to be changed before they are used. � Natural resources that must be worked to be useful are called raw materials.

RENEWABLE RESOURCES � Renewable resources are resources that can be replaced. � Some resources are replaced naturally. For example the water cycle. � Other renewable resources are wind and solar energy. No matter how much we use, there will always be more.

LIVING RESOURCES � Living things that provide natural resources like plants and animals are renewable resources. � These must be managed so that they are not overused. � What is an example of a living resource that must be managed?

NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES � Nonrenewable resources cannot be replaced. � Most nonliving things, such as metal ores, minerals, natural gas, and petroleum are nonrenewable resources. � These resources will eventually run out and need to be used carefully.

FOSSIL FUEL � Fuels that are created over millions of years from the remains or prehistoric living things are coal, natural gas, and petroleum. � What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources?

A SPECIAL RESOURCE: ENERGY � Many natural resources are sources of energy. � People use energy from fossil fuels, wind, sun, and water.