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Natural Resources Renewable/Non-Renewable Resources Sustainability Biodiversity Conservation Natural Resources Anything made by nature and needed by living organisms. Ex. Land, water, air, coal, oil, natural gas http://www.arizonamemorial.org/images/page-headers/locations/kalaupapa-natura Renewable Resources – Can be replaced in reasonable amount of time – Water, soil, air, and wildlife Nonrenewable Resources – Cannot replace rapidly or in fixed quantities – Minerals and fossil fuels Concern for conserving natural resources: Concerns Population increases Resources are consumed in greater quantities Environment degrades as result of use Demand for resources is major threat to biodiversity Land Used for a variety of purposes: – – – – Farming Housing Mining Recreation http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/images/wsci_03_img0308.jpg Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink! Of ALL the water on Earth . . . – Only 2.8% is freshwater Only .7% is not in glaciers or ice caps – Only .01% is surface water Only .003% is potable (drinkable)! www.iowastormwater.org Air 50% of air pollutants in the US come from transportation 28% from burning fuels for electric and heat. Fossil Fuels Derived from plants that died millions of years ago, thus NON-RENEWABLE Includes coal, oil and natural gas. Coal The most abundant fossil fuel. Burned to produce electricity and for heating. 70% of coal burned in US is to create electricity. (Rest is used in manufacturing) Coal 2/3 of coal mined in US is through surface mining, or strip mining. Destroys surface. In US, companies now required to restore land. ($$) http://www.carlmaples.com/Arz_Strip_Mine.jpg Coal Air pollution is a major concern. 70% of sulfur dioxide emissions come from burning coal. Many other air pollutants, including carbon dioxide are also released. Carbon dioxide has been linked to the greenhouse effect. http://www.solcomhouse.com/Greenhouse_Effect.gif Coal Underground or Tunnel mining has an impact, too. Acids and chemicals pollute waterways. Abandoned mines collapse leading to land subsidence. http://www.bgr.bund.de/DE/Themen/Geoumweltschutz/Bilder/Umw__Geoumwelt__Bild__2__g,property=default.jpg Oil 63% of oil used in the US is for transportation. 25% industry 9% heating homes and businesses 3% generating electricity Over 6,000 products come from oil: Plastics Fertilizers Pesticides Medicines Waxes Asphalt Natural gas Gasoline Oil Drilling occurs on land and in the ocean. Spills can occur during the drilling process, while pumping it from the ground, and during transportation. Hazardous waste: toxic chemicals, can burn, smothers organisms Crude oil comes from the ground. It is then refined through fractional distillation Heated Vaporized Cooled Separated Natural Gas Methane and other gasses, including butane and propane. 41% of natural gas used in the US is for heating residences and businesses. 15% generates electricity 3% transportation Natural Gas Much less air pollution than coal and oil. Burns hotter. Easier to transport and use. Least abundant of the fossil fuels. Biodiversity Richness and diversity of life on Earth Certain species might be resources to humans – Use for agriculture, medicine, science, and enjoyment Extinction Complete loss of species of organism from Earth 5 major mass extinctions – 65 million years ago—wiped out dinosaurs – Believed caused by catastrophic natural disasters Volcanic eruptions Outbreak of disease • Asteroid impacts • Changes in climate Belief that humans are causing sixth mass extinction – Result of: Habitat destruction Commercial hunting Introduction of invasive species Environmental degradation – As population increases, more land needed for: Industry, housing, transportation, and agriculture Introduction of Invasive Species – Exotic or alien species introduced Where not normally found – Cause destruction of ecosystems Populations grow rapidly Spread from lack of natural enemies – Plants, animals, fish, insects, and fungi (Chestnut Blight – Zebra Mussels) Emerald Ash Borer Larva Pollution of air, water, and soil – Destroys and depletes habitats Industrial processes and consumption of natural resources Production Only of energy chance of survival for some species—captivity The Endangered Species Act Designed to protect endangered or threatened species – Endangered species Organisms whose population has decreased Immediate danger of becoming extinct – Threatened species Numbers are declining Saved if steps taken to protect Wildlife Management Planned use, protection, and control of wildlife Specialists – Require very specific habitat requirements – Most susceptible (Pandas eat only specific type bamboo found in mountains of China) Techniques – Habitat improvement Establishing wildlife refuges & wilderness areas Protected ecosystem Contain only native species Controlled hunting and fisheries management – Regulating seasons – Limits on size & number species harvested – Restocking – Protection of breeding grounds Think About What can you do to support and promote recycling? What can you do to support and promote reusing? What can you do to support and promote refusing (reducing)? Why must we protect the Earth’s animal and plant species and resources?
