What Are Natural Resources?

The world around us is full of amazing things that help people live, grow, and thrive. These useful things are called natural resources. They come from the Earth and are used in many ways—some to make energy, others to build homes, create products, or grow food.

Everything we use each day depends on natural resources. The water we drink, the air we breathe, the trees that provide wood, and even the gasoline that fuels cars all come from nature. Some resources are found above the ground, like sunlight and wind, while others are deep within the Earth, like metals and fossil fuels.

Two Main Types of Natural Resources

Scientists and environmental experts divide natural resources into two categories: renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Renewable Resources

Renewable resources are resources that can be replaced or naturally replenished. They either never run out or can be restored over time. Here are some important renewable resources:

• Sunlight – The Sun provides light and heat, helping plants grow and generating solar energy. It is an endless resource.
• Water – Water moves through the water cycle, evaporating from oceans and lakes, forming clouds, and returning as rain or snow. While water itself is renewable, fresh water must be used wisely to ensure we don’t waste it.
• Wind – Wind is a powerful force that can be used to create energy. Wind turbines capture its power and turn it into electricity.
• Trees and Plants – Trees provide wood for furniture, homes, and paper. Many plants are used for food, medicine, and clothing materials like cotton. Because trees can be replanted and plants regrow, they are renewable. However, if forests are cut down too quickly, it takes a long time to recover.

Nonrenewable Resources

Unlike renewable resources, nonrenewable resources take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced quickly. Once they are used up, they are gone for a very long time. Some of the most important nonrenewable resources include:

• Fossil Fuels – Coal, oil, and natural gas are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. These fuels are burned to create energy for electricity, heating, and transportation. Since they take millions of years to form, they are considered nonrenewable.
• Metals and Minerals – Gold, silver, iron, copper, and other minerals are found deep in the Earth. They are mined and used for making buildings, vehicles, electronics, and jewelry. Some metals can be recycled, but mining too much can deplete Earth's supply.

Why Are Natural Resources Important?

Natural resources are essential for our daily lives. Here are some ways we depend on them:

• Energy Production – We use fossil fuels, wind, water, and sunlight to create electricity. Without energy, we wouldn’t have lights, computers, or refrigerators.
• Food and Agriculture – Soil, water, and sunlight help farmers grow crops. Fish from oceans, fruits from trees, and grains from fields all come from nature.
• Building Materials – Wood from trees, metal from the ground, and stone from quarries help construct houses, bridges, and roads.
• Transportation – Cars, planes, and trains run on gasoline or electricity, both of which come from natural resources.

Real-Life Connection: How Do You Use Natural Resources?

Think about your day from morning to night:

• When you wake up and brush your teeth, the water you use comes from rivers, lakes, or underground wells.
• The cereal or toast you eat for breakfast comes from grains grown in soil, and the milk might come from cows that eat plants.
• If you ride a school bus, it uses gasoline from oil, a nonrenewable resource.
• Your school building is made from wood, bricks, and metal—all natural resources.
• The paper in your notebook and the pencil in your hand come from trees and minerals.
• Even your clothes might be made from cotton (a plant) or polyester (a product of oil).

Everything you do is connected to natural resources!

Protecting Our Resources for the Future

Because natural resources are so important, people must take care of them. Here are some ways to help:

• Conserve energy – Turn off lights and electronics when not in use to save electricity.
• Save water – Don’t waste water when brushing your teeth or washing dishes.
• Recycle and reuse – Recycling paper, plastic, glass, and metal reduces the need for new raw materials.
• Plant trees – Trees clean the air and provide homes for animals.

By being responsible, we can make sure natural resources are available for future generations!

The Impact of Humans on Natural Resources

Natural resources provide everything we need to survive, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. However, people sometimes use these resources in ways that harm the environment. When we take too much, pollute, or destroy habitats, we can cause serious problems for the planet and future generations.

How Do Humans Affect Natural Resources?

Humans use natural resources every day, but some activities damage these resources faster than they can be replaced. Here are a few ways this happens:

1. Deforestation – Cutting Down Too Many Trees

Forests provide wood for houses, furniture, and paper. Trees also clean the air and give animals a place to live. But when too many trees are cut down without being replanted, it leads to deforestation. This can cause:

• Loss of animal habitats
• More carbon dioxide in the air, which affects the climate
• Soil erosion, making it harder for plants to grow

Example: The Amazon Rainforest is sometimes called the “lungs of the Earth” because it produces much of the world's oxygen. But large parts of it are being cut down for farming and development, harming the plants and animals that live there.

2. Pollution – Damaging Our Air, Water, and Land

Pollution happens when harmful substances enter the environment. There are different types of pollution:

• Air pollution – Burning fossil fuels like coal and gasoline releases chemicals that make the air dirty. This can cause breathing problems and contribute to global warming.
• Water pollution – Trash, chemicals, and oil spills can poison lakes, rivers, and oceans, making it unsafe for animals and people.
• Land pollution – Landfills full of garbage take up space and can leak harmful chemicals into the ground.

Example: Many sea animals, like turtles and whales, mistake plastic for food. Eating plastic can make them sick or even kill them. Scientists estimate that millions of tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year.

3. Overfishing – Taking Too Many Fish from the Ocean

Fish are an important food source, but some fishing methods take too many fish too quickly. When this happens, fish populations don’t have time to recover. This can:

• Cause certain fish species to become endangered or extinct
• Affect the entire food chain, hurting other marine animals
• Harm people who rely on fishing for their jobs

Example: The Atlantic cod population was once so large that people thought it would never run out. But after years of overfishing, cod numbers dropped dramatically. Governments had to step in to limit fishing so the species could recover.

4. Excessive Fossil Fuel Use – Draining Nonrenewable Resources

Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas provide energy for cars, factories, and homes. But because they take millions of years to form, they are nonrenewable. When we use too much too quickly, we risk running out. Also, burning fossil fuels adds pollution to the air, contributing to climate changes like:

• Rising temperatures
• More extreme weather, such as hurricanes and droughts
• Melting ice caps, which cause sea levels to rise

Example: In some cities, smog (a mix of smoke and fog) forms due to high levels of air pollution from cars and factories. Smog can make it difficult for people to breathe and see clearly.

What Can People Do to Help?

Even though human activities can harm natural resources, there are many ways to reduce the damage. Here are some simple ways people can help:

• Plant trees to replace the ones that are cut down.
• Recycle and reuse materials like plastic, glass, and paper to reduce waste.
• Use less water by turning off faucets when not needed.
• Be mindful of fishing limits to prevent overfishing.
• Dispose of trash properly to keep oceans and land clean.
• Reduce pollution by driving less or using cleaner energy sources.

Why Does This Matter?

If people don’t take care of natural resources, future generations will face problems like food shortages, polluted water, and unhealthy air. But by making better choices, we can protect the planet and ensure that natural resources remain available for years to come.

By understanding how our actions affect the world around us, we can all play a part in keeping Earth healthy and full of life!

How Can We Protect Natural Resources?

Natural resources give us everything we need to survive—clean air, fresh water, food, and materials for shelter. But because people use so many resources every day, it’s important to make sure we don’t use them up too quickly. Conservation means protecting and using resources wisely so they last for a long time.

Ways to Conserve Natural Resources

There are many ways people can take better care of natural resources. Here are some of the most important methods:

1. Recycling – Giving Old Materials a New Life

Recycling means taking used materials and turning them into new products instead of throwing them away. This reduces waste and saves resources. Many things can be recycled, including:

• Paper – Recycling old paper helps save trees.
• Plastic – Reusing plastic reduces pollution in landfills and oceans.
• Metal and Glass – These materials can be melted down and reshaped into new products.

Example: Instead of throwing away an empty soda can, you can put it in a recycling bin. That can could later be turned into a new can, saving aluminum and reducing waste.

2. Reducing Waste – Using Less to Make a Big Impact

One of the best ways to protect resources is to use less of them. Small changes in daily habits can help. For example:

• Turn off lights when leaving a room to save electricity.
• Use both sides of a sheet of paper before recycling it.
• Bring reusable bags when shopping instead of using plastic ones.
• Avoid wasting food by taking only what you can eat.

Example: If every student in a school used one less paper napkin at lunch, it could save thousands of napkins over the course of a year!

3. Saving Water – A Resource We Can’t Live Without

Water is one of the most important resources on Earth, but it is not unlimited. People can help by using only the water they need. Here are some easy ways to save water:

• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
• Fix leaks to prevent wasted water.
• Water plants in the morning or evening to keep moisture from evaporating too quickly.

Example: If you let the faucet run while brushing your teeth, you could waste up to four gallons of water each time. Turning it off can save hundreds of gallons every month!

4. Protecting Forests – Trees Are More Than Just Wood

Trees provide oxygen, homes for animals, and materials for paper and furniture. Cutting down too many trees can harm the environment, but there are ways to help:

• Plant new trees to replace the ones that are cut down.
• Use recycled paper products to reduce the need for new trees.
• Support parks and protected forests where trees are safe from being cut down.

Example: Schools that use recycled paper for worksheets and notebooks help reduce the demand for new trees to be cut down.

5. Keeping the Environment Clean – Reducing Pollution

Pollution can harm animals, plants, and people. Keeping land, air, and water clean is an important part of conservation. People can help by:

• Throwing trash in the proper bins instead of littering.
• Cleaning up after pets to prevent waste from getting into water supplies.
• Using less gasoline by walking, biking, or carpooling.

Example: If everyone picked up just one piece of litter each day, parks, neighborhoods, and oceans would be much cleaner.

How Can You Make a Difference?

Even small actions can have a big impact. Here are a few simple ways students can protect natural resources in their daily lives:

• Bring a reusable water bottle instead of using plastic ones.
• Remind family members to turn off lights and electronics when not in use.
• Help plant a garden or tree in your community.
• Start a recycling program at school if one doesn’t already exist.

Why Conservation Matters

Natural resources help make life possible, but they are not unlimited. If people take too much without giving back, resources can run out. However, by making small changes, everyone can help protect the environment for future generations.

What small change will you make today to help protect natural resources?

Objective:

Students will explore their surroundings to identify and categorize examples of renewable and nonrenewable resources, then create an infographic to present their findings in small groups.

Duration:

5 days

Participants:

3-4 students per group

Materials:

• Poster boards, markers, colored pencils, or access to digital tools (e.g., Canva, PowerPoint)
• Research materials (readings, videos, or internet access)
• Printouts or templates for infographic layouts (optional)
• Camera or drawing supplies for documenting found resources

Instructions:

Day 1 – Introduction and Group Assignments:

• Discuss the differences between renewable and nonrenewable resources.
• Provide examples of each and explain their importance in daily life.
• Divide the class into small groups and assign or let each group choose an area to explore (e.g., schoolyard, home, community).
• Provide an overview of the infographic project, including expectations for content and presentations.

Day 2 – Exploration and Data Collection:

• Groups explore their assigned areas to find real-world examples of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
• Students take notes, draw sketches, or take pictures of the resources they identify.
• After collecting data, groups categorize each resource and discuss their findings.

Day 3 – Research and Planning:

• Groups research more about the resources they found, focusing on:
  • How they are used by humans
  • Their availability and sustainability
  • Possible conservation strategies
• Draft the layout of their infographic, organizing key points and deciding on visuals (charts, images, diagrams, etc.).

Day 4 – Design and Creation (Part 1):

• Groups begin creating their infographic, either digitally or on poster boards.
• Include a catchy title, clear categories for renewable and nonrenewable resources, and visuals such as icons, illustrations, or real-life images.
• Ensure all information is accurate and clearly presented.

Day 5 – Sharing and Discussion:

• Groups present their infographics to the class, explaining the different resources they found and how they impact the environment.
• Facilitate a discussion on ways to conserve nonrenewable resources and make better use of renewable ones.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Content Accuracy: Clear and accurate identification of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
• Creativity: Engaging, visually appealing, and well-organized infographic.
• Collaboration: Effective teamwork and clear division of roles.
• Presentation Skills: Confident and well-explained findings during the class discussion.