Needs & Wants
What is the difference between a need and a want?
A need is something essential for survival.
A want is something we like to have but is not necessary for survival.
What is a renewable resource? Provide an example.
A resource that can be replenished/regrow naturally over time. Example: trees.
What are the 6 natural resource categories?
Fossil Fuels, Forestry, Fishing, Agriculture, Hydroelectricity, Minerals & Metals
What does extraction of natural resources mean?
Extraction of natural resources means the process of removing or collecting resources from the Earth.
Examples: Mining for minerals, drilling for oil, logging for wood.
What does sustainability mean in the context of natural resources?
In the context of natural resources, sustainability means using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Give an example of a need. What natural resource does it come from?
Examples: clothing - agriculture, shelter - forestry, food - agriculture
Name a non-renewable resource and explain why it is classified as such.
Ex. Fossil Fuels
Once we use it all, there will be none left.
Give 2 examples of fossil fuels.
Examples: Coal, Natural Gas, Oil
What environmental consequence results from overharvesting forests for wood, leading to loss of habitats and increased carbon dioxide?
Deforestation
How can individuals contribute to sustainability in their community?
Individuals can contribute to sustainability in their community by reducing waste, recycling, conserving water and energy, supporting local and sustainable products, and participating in community clean-up or conservation efforts
Does location alter your needs and wants? Provide an example.
Yes, location alters your needs and wants. For example, someone living in a cold climate may need warm clothing and shelter, while in a hot climate, cooling systems might be more important.
What are flow resources? Give an example.
Can use when available but cannot be stored for later.
Example: Sunlight, wind, rain
Is fishing always a renewable resource? Why or why not?
Fishing is not always a renewable resource because if fish populations are overharvested faster than they can reproduce, the resource can become depleted and may not recover.
Can an environmental impact be positive?
Give an example of something we can do after extracting a resource to help our Earth.
Yes, an environmental impact can be positive. For example, reforestation helps restore ecosystems, improves air quality, and reduces carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What is one way to make fishing more sustainable?
One way to make fishing more sustainable is by implementing catch limits to prevent overfishing and allow fish populations to regenerate.
Why is it essential to focus on needs rather than wants when managing resources?
It’s important to prioritize needs over wants because meeting basic needs ensures survival and well-being, while focusing on wants can lead to the overuse and depletion of natural resources.
How can renewable resources become non-renewable?
If they are overused or managed unsustainably.
Name a specific item we get from agriculture? Where does it come from?
Example: Meat - Livestock
Which practice threatens marine ecosystems by reducing fish populations, impacting food webs and biodiversity.
Overfishing
Provide an example of a sustainable alternative to a non-renewable resource.
Example: Electric cars instead of fossil fuel (gas) burning vehicles.
How does budgeting/price impact our decisions with wants and needs. Provide an example.
Budgeting and price impact our decisions by limiting how much we can spend on wants and needs. For example, if money is tight, we might prioritize buying food (a need) over buying a new phone (a want).
Do all natural resources fit perfectly into one of the 3 categories: renewable, non-renewable, and flow resources? If not, give an example of a resource that can fit into multiple categories.
Some resources can fit into multiple categories.
Example:Fish - renewable & non-renewable
What province has the most resources in it? Think back to our maps.
British Columbia
What is one advantage and one disadvantage of using forestry as a natural resource?
Advantage: Forestry provides wood, which is essential for construction, paper, and fuel.
Disadvantage: Overharvesting can lead to deforestation, causing habitat loss and environmental damage.
Would it be sustainable if every single human met all their needs and wants? Why or why not?
It would not be sustainable for everyone to meet all their needs and wants because it would lead to overconsumption and depletion of resources, harming the environment.