Types of Resources
What natural resource is a basic need for all living organisms?
Water
What are the environmental effects of soil degradation?
It lowers soil quality and prevents the growth of as much food as before
What is a renewable resource that most of our food comes from?
Soil
Are ecological footprints a calculation of the natural resources we use?
Yes
How many litres of water does it take to grow one apple?
70 L
What are non-renewable resources?
They are natural resources that take millions of years to form
What is an impact of overfishing?
Many species become endangered and even extinct
Why can some regions only grow crops in the summer?
Because of the constraints of the local climate
What happens in Third World countries when there is not enough water?
People hold riots and fight each other
How do large cities create green space?
By installing green roofs on large buildings
What does the term water footprint describe?
It describes the amount of freshwater used by individuals, communities, or businesses
How do open-pit mines impact the environment?
Mining can primarily change landforms as they leave big holes in the ground
How do Hydro dams work?
Some Hydro dams are built on fast-flowing rivers or rivers with a large drop in elevation
How is Nigeria affected by its oil resources?
It suffers a "resource curse" where government funds are spent on officials rather than education and healthcare
What can you do to prevent soil from becoming unusable early?
Rotate crops to use different nutrients and preserve the land
What are the types of resources and give a definition of each?
Renewable: can replace themselves if used carefully; Flow: replaced by natural actions; Non-renewable: limited supply that does not renew
How does the construction of cities with concrete roads and buildings harm the local water supply?
Concrete and buildings prevent ground absorption, causing immediate flooding and water pollution
Which countries are mostly mined for resources to make computers?
Democratic Republic of Congo, Chile, Australia, China, South Africa, and Brazil
How does the water drought in South Africa impact rural regions in Indonesia?
It causes conflict and fights between gangs for water sources between villages
What are the dangers of air pollution and how can we help lower it?
It affects health and ecosystems; lower it by driving less, avoiding idling, and using zero-emission vehicles
What is the consequence of taking renewable resources from animal habitats?
It damages habitats; over 10,000 animals go extinct each year because of this
How does heating ore by fossil fuels affect the environment?
It releases large amounts of greenhouse gases into the environment
How are strong groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo impacting the Earth?
They are using child labour to mine a special mineral called tantalum
How are the Penan people of Sarawak endangered?
The Sago palm, which is their traditional food source, is endangered due to deforestation
In a closed-loop system, where are greenhouse gases stored and how does it help?
They are stored in the ground so they are not released into the atmosphere