Earth’s Resources

Chapter 11
6th Grade
 What are Earth’s Natural
Resources
 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

 All living things use resources. There are renewable and

nonrenewable resources.
 Renewable resources can be replaced through natural processes.
Sunlight, wind, trees, and cotton are examples of renewable
resources.
 Nonrenewable resources cannot be replaced as fast as they are
used. Minerals and fossil fuels can take millions of years to form.
 When using resources, one needs to consider the benefits and the
cost. For example, cutting trees for the lumber to build a house,
but animals may lose their habit.
 What are Earth’s Natural
Resources
 Air Resources

 The gases that make up the Earth’s atmosphere, like nitrogen,

oxygen, and carbon dioxide, are renewable resources.
 These gases, even though are renewable, can be polluted.
 Land Resources

 Land is a resource. We depend on the land for farms, grazing

for livestock, soil, minerals, forests, and wildlife. Housing is
even built on land.
 Land can take thousands of years to form and can be eroded
away. Land is a nonrenewable resource.
 What are Earth’s Natural
Resources
 Forests

 The forests are widely used. Food, medicines, and

habitats come from the forests. During deforestation,
these resources are lost.
 Forests play an important role of controlling the
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Too much carbon
dioxide can cause the atmosphere to trap excessive
heat, which causes the temperatures to rise. We also
benefit from the oxygen the forests put out during
photosynthesis.
 What are Earth’s Natural
Resources
 Water Resources

 Water is considered a renewable resource because it

is recycled in the water cycle. If polluted, the water
can’t be used as intended.
 Water used for industrial purposes and pumped back
into the lakes and rivers can alter the ecosystem.
 Even though water is renewable, we still should be
aware of its polluting and wastefulness. Less than 3%
of the 75% of the Earth’s water can be used.
 What are Earth’s Natural
Resources
 Ocean Resources

 Much like the land, the ocean can provide us with

minerals. These minerals, like sodium chloride (salt), tin,
magnesium, iron, and copper are found in the oceans.
These minerals can clump together forming a nodule.
 Other resources can be found in the oceans, like oil and
natural gas can be drilled for removal.
 The energy of ocean tides can be harnessed to generate
electricity. This resource doesn’t pollute the oceans and
is considered renewable.
 What are Earth’s Natural
Resources
 Connections Among Resources

 Although Earth has a plentiful supply of many

resources, the supply can be affected by human
activities.
 Air, land, and water can become polluted. Habitats
can be changed or destroyed. Resources can be used
up quicker than they can be replaced.
 The human footprint is our impact on the Earth’s
ecosystems.
 What are Earth’s Natural
Resources
 Reducing the Impact

 As consumers, we need do learn to conserve our our

resources. Whether they are renewable or
nonrenewable, we should only use them when
necessary.
 One way to practice conservation is to use the three
Rs. We should reduce our use of resources, recycle
those materials, and finally find new ways to reuse
those products.
 Where Do We Get Energy

Energy Needs

 Every day people use energy from a variety

of sources. Energy can be found from fossil
fuels, wind, water, solar energy, nuclear
energy, and geothermal energy.
 One of the largest uses of energy on Earth is
to produce light. So much of what we do or
where we go requires some form of energy.
 Where Do We Get Energy

 Energy Needs Over Time

 Over time, within a variety of civilizations, the need

for energy, the types of energy, and amounts of
energy has changed.
 Industrialism in this country led to an increase use
of energy in the form of electricity.
 In the United States, industrialism uses 34% of the
energy, commercialism uses 18%, residential uses
20%, and transportation uses 28%.
 Where Do We Get Energy

 Sources of Energy

 Fossil fuels are sources of energy. These include oil, natural gas, and
coal. Fossil fuels are made from the remains of living organisms.
 Energy From Moving Water

 The ocean’s tides can be used to generate electricity, as well as water

from moving rivers.

 Dams are built across waterways to generate electricity. This form of

energy is called hydroelectric power.

 Advantages of hydropower are it doesn’t release pollution and is

renewable. A disadvantage is that wildlife habitats can be destroyed.
 Where Do We Get Energy

 Energy From Atoms and Earth’s Heat

 Nuclear energy comes from the heat produced when atoms

split apart. Nuclear energy is a nonrenewable resource.
 Nuclear energy doesn’t pollute the air, but has waste
materials that can be harmful if not disposed of carefully.
 The heat from deep down within the Earth is called
geothermal energy. This heat causes water to turn to
steam. This steam is used to generate electricity.
 Geothermal energy is a renewable resource.
 Where Do We Get Energy

 Energy From Sunlight and Wind

 Energy from the sun is solar energy. This form of energy

can be converted to electricity and is a renewable resource.
 Solar energy does not produce any pollution.

 Wind energy generates electricity from powering wind

turbines. This resource does not produce pollution and is
renewable.
 This resource can’t be used in areas that doesn’t have a
steady flow of wind.