Resources and the Environment Natural Resources Natural resources

Resources and the Environment

Natural Resources �Natural resources are things found in nature that people can use. �Examples: water, soil, and trees �Fish, deer, and other wild animals are also natural resources.

Minerals �People use another kind of natural resource called minerals. Minerals are substances such as gold, copper, or salt, that is found in the earth. �What do we use minerals for in everyday life?

Fossil Fuels �Fossil Fuels are fuels formed from the remains (fossils) of plants and animals that lived thousands of years ago. �Examples: coal, oil, and natural gas Why are these resources so important?

Resources and People �People have a very big responsibility to take care of our natural resources. �Why?

Resources and People � Some of our resources can be replaced. Others cannot. Once we use them all up, there won’t be any more left!

Renewable Resources �Renewable Resources are resources that can be replaced. �Trees are renewable resources because we can plant new trees to replace the ones we use.

Nonrenewable Resources �Nonrenewable resources are resources that cannot be easily replaced. �An example of nonrenewable resources are fossil fuels. How will we drive our cars when there is no more gas?

Conservation �We must use our resources very carefully because we rely on them everyday. We need to make sure there is enough resources for the future! �We protect our resources by conserving them. Conservation is protecting and using resources carefully. What are some of the ways we conserve our resources?

Environment �Another reason we need to conserve our resources is because they are a part of our environment. �The environment is made up of all the things that surround us, such as land, water, air, and trees. �All living things rely on their environment. We need clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.

Our National Parks �Creating parks is one way to help protect the environment. �National parks are parks that are protected by the federal government. �Park rangers are hired by the government to provide services to visitors such as information. They also help keep the park protected. �The first national park in the USA was Yellowstone National Park.

Protecting the Environment �One common problem is pollution, �Pollution is harmful substances that are released in the air, water, or soil. �People can help reduce pollution by doing simple things like recycling.