CONSERVATION OF CONSERVATION OF NATURALNATURAL

RESOURCESRESOURCES

Muhammad Fahad Muhammad Fahad AnsariAnsari

12IEEM1412IEEM14

Natural Natural RResources - esources - IntroductionIntroduction

Natural resources are the materials that are Natural resources are the materials that are needed to sustain life and livelihood on earth.needed to sustain life and livelihood on earth.

A natural resource is anything people can use A natural resource is anything people can use which comes from nature. which comes from nature.

People do not make natural resources, but gather People do not make natural resources, but gather them from the earth.them from the earth.

They include They include AIRAIR to breathe; to breathe; WATERWATER to drink; to drink; LANDLAND to live on, walk on and grow food on; to live on, walk on and grow food on; FORESTFOREST for timber, paper, wood, products and for timber, paper, wood, products and medicinal plants and medicinal plants and MINERALSMINERALS for metals, fuel, for metals, fuel, energy, etc.energy, etc.

Natural Natural RResourcesesources

Energy resources

Mineral resources

Forest resources

Water resources

Food resources

Land resources

Classification of Natural Classification of Natural RResourcesesources

We often say there are two sorts of natural We often say there are two sorts of natural resource: renewable resources and non-resource: renewable resources and non-renewable resources.renewable resources.

A renewable resource grows again or comes A renewable resource grows again or comes back again after we use it. For example, back again after we use it. For example, sunlight, water, and treessunlight, water, and trees are renewable are renewable resources.resources.

A non-renewable resource is a resource that A non-renewable resource is a resource that does not grow or come back, or a resource does not grow or come back, or a resource that would take a very long time to come back. that would take a very long time to come back. For example, For example, coalcoal is a non-renewable resource. is a non-renewable resource.

Classification of Natural Classification of Natural RResourcesesources

Non-Renewable

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)

Metallic minerals (copper, aluminum, iron, gold etc)

Non-metallic minerals (nitrate, sulfur, salts, coal, petroleum etc)

Renewable

Renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, ocean energy, geothermal energy)

Water

Air

Soil

Plants and animals

Classification of Natural ResourcesClassification of Natural Resources

*Forever/Everlasting/occurring continually

*

Conservation of Natural Conservation of Natural RResourcesesources

When we use coal, there is less coal afterward. When we use coal, there is less coal afterward. One day, there will be no more of it to make One day, there will be no more of it to make goods. goods.

The non-renewable resource can be used The non-renewable resource can be used directly (for example, burning oil to cook), or directly (for example, burning oil to cook), or we can find a renewable resource to use (for we can find a renewable resource to use (for example, using wind energy to make electricity example, using wind energy to make electricity to cook).to cook).

It is important to conserve (save) non-It is important to conserve (save) non-renewable resources, because if we use them renewable resources, because if we use them too quickly there will not be enough. too quickly there will not be enough.

Conservation of Natural Conservation of Natural RResourcesesources

Every thing that human beings use is drawn from the Every thing that human beings use is drawn from the natural resources. Hence, the human population is making natural resources. Hence, the human population is making an increasing demand over the natural resources.an increasing demand over the natural resources.

The increasing demand is attributed to the increased The increasing demand is attributed to the increased standards of living and excessive consumption of natural standards of living and excessive consumption of natural resources. resources.

Due to these factors the natural resources are depleting at Due to these factors the natural resources are depleting at a faster rate both quantitatively and qualitatively, a faster rate both quantitatively and qualitatively, which which draws serious attention for conservation.draws serious attention for conservation.

Conservation of Natural Conservation of Natural ResourcesResources

The wise use of the earth's resources by The wise use of the earth's resources by humanity.humanity.

The term The term conservationconservation came into use in the late came into use in the late 1919thth century and referred to the century and referred to the managementmanagement, , mainly for economic reasons, mainly for economic reasons, of such valuable of such valuable natural resources as timber, fish, topsoil, natural resources as timber, fish, topsoil, pastureland, and minerals, and also to the pastureland, and minerals, and also to the preservation of forests, wildlife, parkland, preservation of forests, wildlife, parkland, wilderness, and watershedwilderness, and watershed areasareas. .

Conservation of Natural Conservation of Natural ResourcesResources

In recent years the science of ecology has In recent years the science of ecology has clarified the workings of the biosphere; i.e., clarified the workings of the biosphere; i.e., the complex interrelationships among the complex interrelationships among humans, other animals, plants, and the humans, other animals, plants, and the physical environment. physical environment.

At the same time burgeoning population At the same time burgeoning population and industry and the ensuing pollution have and industry and the ensuing pollution have demonstrated how easily delicately demonstrated how easily delicately balanced ecological relationships can be balanced ecological relationships can be disrupted.disrupted.

Conservation of Natural Conservation of Natural ResourcesResources

Conservation of natural resources is now Conservation of natural resources is now usually embraced in the broader conception of usually embraced in the broader conception of conserving the earth itself by protecting its conserving the earth itself by protecting its capacity for self-renewal.capacity for self-renewal.

Particularly complex are the problems of Particularly complex are the problems of nonrenewable resources such as oil and coal nonrenewable resources such as oil and coal and other minerals in great demand. and other minerals in great demand.

Current thinking also favors the Current thinking also favors the protection of protection of entire ecological regions by the creation of entire ecological regions by the creation of "biosphere reserves“. "biosphere reserves“.

ENERGY RESOURCESENERGY RESOURCES

Conventional/Commercial: sources used for Conventional/Commercial: sources used for mass generation of power/energy – Fossil mass generation of power/energy – Fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), hydropower and fuels (coal, oil and gas), hydropower and nuclear energynuclear energy

Non conventional/Non-commercial: sources Non conventional/Non-commercial: sources used for generating power/energy in lesser used for generating power/energy in lesser magnitude – Biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, magnitude – Biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, ocean energy.ocean energy.

ENERGY RESOURCESENERGY RESOURCES

Renewable/Non-Exhaustable: sources which Renewable/Non-Exhaustable: sources which are continuously restored by nature – Water, are continuously restored by nature – Water, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal etc.solar, wind, biomass, geothermal etc.

Non-renewable/Exhaustable: sources which Non-renewable/Exhaustable: sources which once accumulated in nature, have practically once accumulated in nature, have practically ceased to form under new geologic conditions ceased to form under new geologic conditions – Fossil and atomic fuels.– Fossil and atomic fuels.

Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy

Sources

NonrenewableRenewable

Fossil FuelsFossil FuelsFossil fuels take millions of Fossil fuels take millions of years to form. They are the years to form. They are the product of the fossilized product of the fossilized remains of dead plants and remains of dead plants and animals that have been animals that have been exposed to the heat and exposed to the heat and pressure deep within the pressure deep within the earth’s crust. There are many earth’s crust. There are many types of fossil fuels, such as types of fossil fuels, such as petroleum (gasoline), natural petroleum (gasoline), natural gas, and coal.gas, and coal.

Fossil FuelsFossil FuelsFossil fuels are arguably Fossil fuels are arguably one of the most valuable one of the most valuable natural resources in natural resources in modern times. It is modern times. It is estimated that estimated that 86 percent86 percent of of the world’s energy comes the world’s energy comes directly from burning fossil directly from burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are the fuels. Fossil fuels are the source of energy for almost source of energy for almost every machine, including every machine, including the generators that produce the generators that produce electric energy.electric energy.

Fossil FuelsFossil FuelsBecause fossil fuels take so Because fossil fuels take so long to form, they are being long to form, they are being consumed faster than they consumed faster than they can be produced. Fossil can be produced. Fossil fuels are a major contributor fuels are a major contributor to air pollution because to air pollution because when they are burned they when they are burned they release many dangerous release many dangerous gases such as nitrogen gases such as nitrogen dioxide, methane, and dioxide, methane, and carbon dioxide.carbon dioxide.

Questions Questions About About

Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels1.1. What creates or causes fossil What creates or causes fossil

fuels?fuels?2. Where can fossil fuels be found?2. Where can fossil fuels be found?3. Are fossil fuels a renewable 3. Are fossil fuels a renewable

resource?resource?4. How can fossil fuels be used as an 4. How can fossil fuels be used as an

energy source?energy source?5. In what ways are fossil fuels a good 5. In what ways are fossil fuels a good

source of energy?source of energy?6. What are the disadvantages to 6. What are the disadvantages to

using fossil fuels as a source of using fossil fuels as a source of energy?energy?

Answers Answers to to

Fossil Fossil FuelsFuels

1. What creates or causes fossil fuels?1. What creates or causes fossil fuels? Fossil fuels are the product of the fossilized Fossil fuels are the product of the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals that remains of dead plants and animals that have been exposed to the heat and pressure.have been exposed to the heat and pressure.2. Where can fossil fuels be found?2. Where can fossil fuels be found? They are found deep within the earth’s crust.They are found deep within the earth’s crust.3. Are fossil fuels a renewable resource?3. Are fossil fuels a renewable resource? No. Theoretically they are, but as they take No. Theoretically they are, but as they take so long to form they cannot possibly be so long to form they cannot possibly be replaced at the rate they are consumed.replaced at the rate they are consumed.

4. How can fossil fuels be used as 4. How can fossil fuels be used as an energy source? an energy source? They are burned to create energy.They are burned to create energy.5. In what ways are fossil fuels a good 5. In what ways are fossil fuels a good source of energy? source of energy? They are currently producing 86% of the They are currently producing 86% of the world’s energy.world’s energy.6. What are the disadvantages to using 6. What are the disadvantages to using fossil fuels as a source of energy? fossil fuels as a source of energy? They pollute, they are not renewable. They pollute, they are not renewable.

Answers Answers about about Fossil Fossil FuelsFuels

Solar Solar EnergyEnergy

The sun is the closest The sun is the closest star to Earth. It brings star to Earth. It brings heat and light to the heat and light to the world. Some areas of world. Some areas of the world, such as the world, such as those closest to the those closest to the equator, have more equator, have more sun than others.sun than others.

Solar EnergySolar Energy

The sun shines naturally The sun shines naturally but it is not affected by but it is not affected by human activity. It cannot human activity. It cannot be used up. However, its be used up. However, its intensity varies with the intensity varies with the seasons, and it is not seasons, and it is not available at night.available at night.

Solar Solar EnergyEnergy

The sun’s rays are used The sun’s rays are used for energy by organisms for energy by organisms that undergo that undergo photosynthesis. Nearly photosynthesis. Nearly every organism on the every organism on the planet gets energy planet gets energy through photosynthesis, through photosynthesis, directly or indirectly. directly or indirectly. There are also ways that There are also ways that people can utilize the people can utilize the energy that the sun energy that the sun provides. provides.

Solar Solar EnergyEnergy

We can use solar We can use solar power in simple power in simple (facing the sun to get (facing the sun to get warm, using warm, using greenhouses to grow greenhouses to grow food, etc.) and more food, etc.) and more complex (solar panels complex (solar panels for heating) ways.for heating) ways.

1. What creates or causes solar 1. What creates or causes solar energy?energy?2. Where can solar energy be 2. Where can solar energy be found?found?3. Is solar energy a renewable 3. Is solar energy a renewable resource?resource?4. How can solar energy be used 4. How can solar energy be used as an energy source?as an energy source?5. In what ways is solar energy a 5. In what ways is solar energy a good source of energy?good source of energy?6. What are the disadvantages to 6. What are the disadvantages to using solar energy as a source using solar energy as a source of energy?of energy?7. How do you use the resource of 7. How do you use the resource of solar energy in your life, if at all?solar energy in your life, if at all?

Questions About Questions About Solar Energy Solar Energy

Answers toAnswers toSolar EnergySolar Energy

1. What creates or causes solar 1. What creates or causes solar energy?energy? Solar energy comes from the sun.Solar energy comes from the sun.2. Where can solar energy be2. Where can solar energy be found?found? It can be found anywhere on Earth,It can be found anywhere on Earth, in greater concentration closer toin greater concentration closer to the equator.the equator.3. Is solar energy a renewable3. Is solar energy a renewable resource?resource? Yes, it cannot be used up.Yes, it cannot be used up.

4. How can solar energy be used4. How can solar energy be used as an energy source?as an energy source? It can be used for warmth, for light,It can be used for warmth, for light, and via solar panels to generateand via solar panels to generate electricity.electricity.

Answers onAnswers onSolar EnergySolar Energy

5. In what ways is solar energy a 5. In what ways is solar energy a good source of energy?good source of energy? It is renewable, it doesn’t cause It is renewable, it doesn’t cause pollution.pollution.6. What are the disadvantages to 6. What are the disadvantages to using solar power as a source using solar power as a source of energy?of energy? It doesn’t work at night.It doesn’t work at night.7. How do you use the resource of 7. How do you use the resource of solar energy in your life, if at solar energy in your life, if at all?all? Answers will vary.Answers will vary.

Wind is caused by Wind is caused by the uneven heating the uneven heating of the atmosphere. of the atmosphere. Some areas of the Some areas of the world, such as costal world, such as costal regions, have more regions, have more wind than others wind than others because the terrain because the terrain of the area is of the area is relatively flat and relatively flat and has few obstacles to has few obstacles to block the wind from block the wind from blowing.blowing.

WindWind

WindWindThe wind blows naturally – it is not The wind blows naturally – it is not caused by human activity, and it caused by human activity, and it cannot be used up.cannot be used up.

The power of the wind drives The power of the wind drives sailboats. It has been used to sailboats. It has been used to power windmills that grind grain. power windmills that grind grain. Windmills can also use the circular Windmills can also use the circular movement of the blades to turn a movement of the blades to turn a turbine. This is increasingly used turbine. This is increasingly used as a means of generating as a means of generating electricity.electricity.

WindWindWind power does not make Wind power does not make greenhouse gas emissions. greenhouse gas emissions. It does not directly cause It does not directly cause pollution. However, critics pollution. However, critics of wind power say a large of wind power say a large number of windmills could number of windmills could cause problems for cause problems for animals, especially animals, especially migratory birds. Some migratory birds. Some people think the windmills people think the windmills are unattractive.are unattractive.

1. What creates or causes wind?2. Where can wind be found?3. Is wind a renewable resource?4. How can wind be used as an energy source?5. In what ways is wind a good source of energy?6. What are the disadvantages to using wind as a source of energy?7. How do you use the resource of wind in your life, if at all?

Questions About Questions About WindWind

1. What creates or causes wind? Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere.2. Where can wind be found? It can be found everywhere, though it is greater in coastal regions and other relatively flat terrains.3. Is wind a renewable resource? Yes, because it cannot be used up.4. How can wind be used as an energy source? Wind can power windmills to power turbines to make electricity.

Answers to Answers to WindWind

5. In what ways is wind a good source of energy? It doesn’t cause pollution and it is renewable.6. What are disadvantages to using wind as a source of energy? It could hurt some animals and some people think the windmills are ugly.7. How do you use the resource of wind in your life, if at all? Answers will vary.

Answers to Answers to Wind Wind (cont.)(cont.)

• A forest is a natural ecosystem having diversified A forest is a natural ecosystem having diversified species of plants, shrubs, small and large tress in species of plants, shrubs, small and large tress in different stages of lifespan.different stages of lifespan.

• There are forests all over the world. Forest cover about There are forests all over the world. Forest cover about 1/31/3rdrd of the earth’s land surface, of which about 50% is of the earth’s land surface, of which about 50% is occupied by tropical forest. occupied by tropical forest.

ForestsForests

ForestsForestsForests serve as home to Forests serve as home to many of the organisms many of the organisms that live on the land. that live on the land. Forests are also very Forests are also very important because they important because they are major contributors to are major contributors to recycling and cleaning recycling and cleaning the world supply of the world supply of oxygen. Forests also oxygen. Forests also provide wood, which is provide wood, which is useful both as a useful both as a construction material construction material and as a fuel source.and as a fuel source.

ForestsForests

Forests occur naturally, but they Forests occur naturally, but they can be affected positively and can be affected positively and negatively by human behavior. negatively by human behavior. If If a forest is carefully replanted a forest is carefully replanted and allowed to grow, it can exist and allowed to grow, it can exist in balancein balance.. If the forest is cut If the forest is cut down faster than it can grow down faster than it can grow back, then it will be used up back, then it will be used up quickly.quickly.

The Importance of Trees

• wind barriers

• filtration

• biodiversity

• shade

• erosion control

• decreases noise pollution

Benefits of Trees in the Rural Environment

• Wind protection for crops

• Erosion control

• Creates diverse plant and animal habitats

• Purifies the air absorbing carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide

Benefits of Trees in Suburban Environments

• Shade canopy

• Building Ecology

• Noise Buffers

• Habitat for suburban wildlife

Benefits of Trees in Urban Environments

• Tree muffle urban noise.

• A mature leafy tree produces as

much oxygen in a season as 10

people inhale in a year.

• Trees help cleanse the air.

• Trees can be cool!

• Energy savers and windbreakers.

1. What is a forest?1. What is a forest?2. Where can forests be found?2. Where can forests be found?3. Are forests a renewable resource?3. Are forests a renewable resource?4. How can forests be used as an 4. How can forests be used as an energy source?energy source?5. In what ways are forests a good 5. In what ways are forests a good source of energy?source of energy?6. What are the disadvantages to using 6. What are the disadvantages to using forests as a source of energy?forests as a source of energy?7. How do you use the resource of 7. How do you use the resource of forests in your life, if at all?forests in your life, if at all?

Questions About Questions About ForestsForests

Answers to Answers to ForestsForests

1. What is a forest?1. What is a forest? A forest is an area with a lot of trees.A forest is an area with a lot of trees.2. Where can forests be found?2. Where can forests be found? Forests can be found all over the world.Forests can be found all over the world.3. Are forests a renewable resource?3. Are forests a renewable resource? Yes, if they are carefully replanted and Yes, if they are carefully replanted and allowed to grow. If it is cut down faster allowed to grow. If it is cut down faster than it can grow, then it is not renewable.than it can grow, then it is not renewable.4. How can forests be used as an energy 4. How can forests be used as an energy source?source? The wood can be burned for fuel.The wood can be burned for fuel.

Answers to Answers to ForestsForests

5. In what ways are forests a good source 5. In what ways are forests a good source of energy?of energy? It can be renewable.It can be renewable.6. What are the disadvantages to using 6. What are the disadvantages to using forests as a source of energy?forests as a source of energy? It pollutes; cutting down trees takes away It pollutes; cutting down trees takes away animal homes and affects the oxygen in animal homes and affects the oxygen in the world.the world.7. How do you use the resource of forests 7. How do you use the resource of forests in your life, if at all?in your life, if at all? Answers will vary.Answers will vary.