CONTENT OVERVIEW

 DEFINITION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES
 WAYS TO CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES

DEFINITION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Natural resources refer to the materials and substances that exist in the natural environment
and are used by humans for various purposes. These resources can be categorized into two
main types:
Renewable Resources: These are resources that can be naturally regenerated or replaced over
time, such as sunlight, wind, water, forests, and agricultural crops.
Non-renewable Resources: These are finite resources that exist in limited quantities and cannot
be readily replaced on human timescales. Examples include fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas),
minerals, and metals.
IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES

 Resources are finite and take millions of years to form, making their preservation
essential for future generations.
 Natural resources provide vital ecosystem services, such as clean air, water, and fertile
soil, which support all life on Earth.
 Sustainable resource management reduces environmental degradation, including
deforestation and overfishing, which threaten biodiversity and disrupt the delicate
balance of ecosystems.
WAYS TO CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
1. Use Renewable Energy
Utilizing renewable energy sources is vital for conserving natural resources. Renewable
energy, drawn from sources like sunlight, wind, and water, offers a sustainable
alternative to finite fossil fuels. By relying on these replenishing sources, we reduce the
extraction and depletion of non-renewable resources, mitigating environmental
degradation. Furthermore, renewable energy production typically involves less land and
water usage, promoting ecosystem preservation.
more than 80% of the world’s energy still comes from oil, coal, and natural
gas.
2. RECYCLING

Reducing your carbon footprint can be done in many ways, and recycling is a fantastic
place to start. Cans, paper products, cartons, and glass are just a few of the many items
that can be recycled. To start, separate recyclable and non-recyclable trash at home by
putting recycling containers next to trash cans.
 Making products from recyclables results in energy savings. Recycled
steel saves 60% production energy, recycled newspaper 40% production energy,
recycled plastics 70% production energy, and recycled glass 40% production
energy.
3. Turn Off The Water When Not In Use
Turning off the water while not in use is essential for water saving. Water is a limited
resource, and waste strains supplies, affects ecosystems, and exacerbates water scarcity in
drought-prone places. In an era marked by environmental challenges, this tiny act matters
for a more sustainable future.
Letting your faucet run for five minutes while washing dishes can waste
10 gallons of water and uses enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 18
hours.
4. Save Energy at Home
Even the smallest actions can result in energy savings in your home. These activities
include things like turning off lights, disconnecting unused appliances, and avoiding
nighttime phone charging. These practises, in addition to lowering your electric bill, gradually
minimise your carbon footprint.
5. Shift to Energy-Efficient Lights
LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than incandescent and fluorescent lighting.
LEDs turn 95% of their energy into light, with only 5% being wasted as heat. In comparison,
fluorescent lights convert 95% of their energy to heat and only 5% to light. LED lights also
use far less energy than traditional lighting; a standard 84-watt fluorescent can be replaced
by a 36-watt LED to produce the same amount of light. Less energy consumption reduces
demand for power plants and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Walking and cycling for short distance travel
Walking and biking offer sustainable alternatives to motorized transportation,
significantly contributing to the conservation of natural resources. By choosing these eco-
friendly modes of travel, individuals reduce fuel consumption, leading to less demand for
finite fossil fuels. This, in turn, curtails greenhouse gas emissions and lessens air and noise
pollution.
7. Consume Less Meat Products
Reducing meat consumption, either by choosing locally sourced or meatless options,
benefits both personal health and the environment. Transitioning to plant-based diets can
lower the demand for intensive livestock farming, which strains natural resources and
produces greenhouse gas emissions. By eating less meat, we conserve resources and
reduce our carbon footprint, promoting a sustainable food choice.

8. Planting trees in Backyards

Trees provide natural cooling and shade for homes, reducing the need for electricity to
power air conditioning, thus lowering energy costs. Additionally, trees enhance air quality by
absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Moreover, they protect water supplies by
acting as natural filters for rainwater and preventing soil erosion. A single tree can absorb up
to 48 gallons of water during a storm, making tree planting a valuable step in conserving
resources and promoting a sustainable environment.
9. Educate & Raise Awareness
Promote awareness about resource conservation in your workplace, school, among
friends, and within your family circles. Take the initiative to educate yourself and others
about the critical importance of preserving natural resources and also raise awareness of
the ecological problem.

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES

1. Climate Change
Climate change, characterized by long-term alterations in local weather patterns,
significantly impacts our daily lives. The global temperature has risen by 2 degrees Celsius,
compared to historical levels, making it one of the most prominent consequences of natural
resource depletion.
Overuse of fossil fuels and deforestation contribute to greenhouse gas emissions,
causing global warming, extreme weather events, and disruptions in ecosystems.

2. Scarcity of drinking water

Excessive water usage for various needs can create a scarcity of drinking water,
adversely affecting both human communities and aquatic ecosystems.

3. Food Insecurity
Food insecurity arises from depleted resources like soil and water, harming food
production. Worn-out soil can't produce good crops, so we get less food. And when there's
not enough water for the crops, it makes the problem worse, leading to not having enough
food to eat. This affects many people, causing hunger, especially in places that rely on
farming.