Types of Resources
What resource takes millions of years to form?
Non-renewable resources [146]
Where can most freshwater be found?
Underground in rock formations called aquifers [197]
How can competition for natural resources lead to conflict?
Groups may fight over control of valuable resources like oil or water. [194, 235]
What is one way farmers sustain their land?
By rotating crops to preserve soil nutrients. [141]
What number of species are known to be on Earth, and how many go extinct every year?
8.7 million known species; 10,000 extinctions annually. [173]
Give one example of a renewable, a non-renewable, and a flow resource.
Renewable: trees; Non-renewable: coal; Flow: wind [146]
Why are solar power plants built in deserts or sunny regions?
They receive more hours of sunlight, making energy harvesting more viable [148, 206]
What is one reason why many garments are produced in Southeast Asia?
Lower labor costs and many specialized factories. [140-142]
What is a sustainable solution for future generations?
Crop rotation, mineral recycling, and the "Seven Generations" principle. [141, 147]
How can mining decrease soil quality?
Toxic chemicals in tailings can leach into local ecosystems. [197]
What are the consequences of overusing natural resources?
Deforestation, desertification, habitat destruction, and climate change [154]
What is one metallic ore used in the construction of a computer?
Coltan; it often travels to several countries for processing [149]
What is a challenge when trying to keep the environment clean, but also trying to support an economy based on people visiting your country?
Tourists polluting remote or sacred sites with garbage. [144, 163]
How can communities reduce waste and protect the environment?
By using green roofs, recycling minerals, and creating national parks. [164, 245]
How do groups like the Rainforest Alliance protect natural resources?
By educating the public and raising awareness of issues. [164]
What tools can we use for measuring natural resource use?
Ecological footprints estimate land needed to support a lifestyle [154]
How do natural features like rivers affect where people live?
People settle near rivers for freshwater and use hilly terrain for power [110, 221]
How does the production of leather in Bangladesh affect the people living there?
Chemicals pollute water, making people sick and preventing crops from growing in the soil. [140, 159]
What is a sustainable way to reduce pollution from power generation?
Using flow resources like wind or solar power. [206]
How does overfishing impact the environment?
It causes a renewable resource to become non-renewable because stocks cannot repopulate. [182]
Where does most of our food come from, and why?
Soil; without it, farmers could not grow crops or raise livestock. [170]
What tool do geographers use to draw conclusions about life in different countries?
The Human Development Index (HDI) [155]
What role should governments play in addressing climate change?
Regulating emissions and protecting land through national parks. [141, 164]
What is a responsible approach to using non-renewable resources?
Using technologies like closed-loop systems and "mineral value management." [244]
How does conserving non-renewable resources benefit the environment?
It reduces habitat destruction and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. [142, 182]