© www.roydonng.com
Roydon N
g
2009
Biodiversity
In order to have the standard of living we have grown to expect, we
need to use large amounts of resources. However, we have a
responsibility to God to take care of the Earth and to look after His
creation. Sometimes these two issues present a conflict.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the term used to cover the total variations of genetic
strains, species, and ecosystems in the world. Human activity is
accelerating the progression of change, resulting to the depletion and
extinction of species. A treaty created to maintain biodiversity,
including the sustainable expansion of biological resources, was signed
at the Earth Summit in 1992.
Year 9 science
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2
Part 1: Resources & Negative Effects
• What is a resource? A resource is something that is created by God in the earth and can be essential to human survival.
Resource Uses of Resource Image
1 Biomass Biomass is organic waste used to produce energy
and is a source of fuel.
2 Clay Clay is solid rock particles formed in the earth which
is often used in construction works.
3 Coal Coal is a type of fossil fuel gathered by mining and is
commonly burnt to produce energy.
4 Gas (Natural) Gas (natural) is used by many industries to produce
electricity, heating and is also used as fuel.
5 Granite Granite is very tough rock and stone. It is often
found in large buildings and in monuments.
6 Petroleum Petroleum (petrol) is crude oil that can be distilled or refined to make fuels, lubricating oils, asphalt, and
other valuable products.
7 Uranium Uranium is a reactive element clustered in some part of the world and can be used for the generating of nuclear energy, medicinal products or weaponry.
8 Water Water is a vital element and resource and is
essential for human and animal life. Water carries the scientific formula of H20.
9 Wind
Wind is another resource that allows important ground and soil formation to be shaped. Rich
deposits of soil can also be transported through the wind.
10 Wood (Timber) Wood (timber) is obtained through logging and the
land clearing. Timber provides frameworks for building and can be burnt to provide heat energy.
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Negative Effects of
Timber Usage The use of wood in our modern and
historic human societies has played a
very dominant and sufficient role.
People from the very early Biblical times
have sourced wood to build amazing
constructions like Noah’s ark. Wood
was also present in many building
frameworks. Apart from construction
purposes, wood plays an important part to human survival by providing accessories for fire for cooking and
the basis of heating.
As wood has been and can be considered now to be crucial for human society, the way in which wood and
timber materials are gathered can severely impact and cause significant harm to the environment and in the
long run to ourselves. Using wood for heating and cooking cause’s carbon dioxide which contributes to
global warming. The wood that we use is chopped from forest plantations and other areas that are the
principle dwellings for many of the world’s declining and endangered animal and insect species. The mass
increase in demand for timber products has resulted in fewer trees in the natural environment being able
to absorb carbon dioxide from the environment.
The conservation of trees and forests is essential for the future and sustainable use of our precious timber
needs to begin without delay for the sake of the world that we all share.
Aboriginal view of the land Aborigines have been living off the land of Australia since they first migrated from Asia many thousands of
years ago. After the European settlement the Aboriginal people have been discriminated against and had
their lands taken away from them. The Aboriginals also believed that they belonged to the land and not
that the land belonged to them.
Aborigines hold strongly that the mother earth is the founder of the world, its creations and the Aboriginal
people. The Aborigines also have strong cultural and spiritual connection with the land, believing that it is
there role to manage and tender the land. Many Aboriginal stories are related to the land and mother
earth.
Aborigines’ obviously were less wasteful of the natural resources and probably cared for the land better
than the Europeans did. Aborigines used traditional but effective skills to maintain the fertility of the land.
The use of technology has compromised the traditional and cultural management practices of the
Aborigines.
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Deforestation • What is deforestation?
Deforestation is the permanent removal and clearing of large scale areas of trees and forest habitats.
Deforestation or logging is done using machinery to make land available for other uses such as agricultural
farming, land grazing, and city expansion and militaria reasons.
• Issues related to deforestation
Deforestation can affect people from all walks of life. The use of timber provides vast amounts of income
for loggers and paper mills. Although, the digital age started in the new millennium, consumption of paper
has nearly doubled. Others have raised issues about the moral and ethical values of using the natural
environment for commercial gain. The generation of new land from deforestation may help agriculture but
is harmful in the long run.
What the government should do to protect forests from loggers The world’s population is ever increasing the need for space and resources. The government needs to
ensure that a responsible management between the protection of the environment and commerce, logging
and timber usage are balanced. Government need to step out of the bushes and stop hiding from the risk
of political defeat and stand up for the increase of conservation and preservation of our beautiful forests.
New policies need to draw the line clearly to define responsible use of timber and logging in forests.
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Cut Down Logging! By Roydon Ng
There is no doubt that the natural environment is
a valuable resource. We can least afford for
deforestation to rob us of the wonderful trees
and forests that God has given us to care for.
In order to understand why deforestation is such
an urgent and critical issue, forests must first be
given credit for what they convey to international
ecosystems and the value of life that all species
maintain. About 75% of primates call tropical
rainforests their home and there are millions of
creatures that rely on rainforests and trees to
survive. Not only are animal and insect species at
risk, but the human population also receiving
benefits from the existence of tree.
Trees can provide spices for some traditional
foods and cultural herbs and medicines. Some
experts believe that ¼ of the world’s medicines
originate from trees and plants.
The forests have many worldwide and unspoken
implications not just for life but on the quality of
it.
Trees improve and help maintain the quality of
the air that species including humans breathe by
trapping carbon and other particles produced by
pollution. Trees decide also assist the
replenishment of the atmosphere. Trees provide
shelter and shade from the sun’s heat and are
vital resources to preventing landslides and
mountain erosions. We have been given much
responsibility to maintain trees.
Commercial reasons in the 20th century are
compromising the security of the world’s forests.
Back in medieval times, 90% of the world was
covered in woodlands, now the colour of the
land has changed from green to barren yellow
earth.
Government must take immediate action to allow
the survival of these precious resources of forests
and trees. The government faces its own election,
a choice of protecting the environment or
surrendering to greedy big business forestry
giants that really compare nothing the size of the
wonders of forests.
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BIBLIOGHRAPHY
INTERNET
Author’s
Surname
First Name
/ Initials
Title of Website. (Online).
(Year
Produced).
Date
Accessed,
<URL>
WIKIPEDIA
WIKIPEDIA
WIKIPEDIA(Online).
2009 8/2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/w
iki/Category:Deforestation
earlham
earlham
Effects of deforestation (Online).
2001 8/009
earlham
.edu
ENCYCLOPEDIA
“Name of Entry”,
Name of Encyclopedia.
(Year).
Biomass
Britannica/Websters
2009/8
Clay
Britannica/Websters
2009/8
Coal
Britannica /Websters
2009/8
Gas
Britannica /Websters
2009/8
Granite
Britannica/ Websters
2009/8
Petroleum
Britannica /Websters
2009/8
Uranium
Britannica/ Websters
2009/8
Water
Britannica/ Websters
2009/8
Wind
Britannica/ Websters
2009/8
Wood
Britannica /Websters
2009/8
Web
sites:
Aboriginal Land council www.alc.org.au 12th August 200
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