FIGURE2 Environmental resources — renewable and non-renewable
Recyclable Aluminium, gold, lead, silver, tin, mercury
Consumed by use Fossil fuels, coal, oil, natural gas
Non-renewable Finite and replaced over millions of years
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
Renewable Replaced over a short period of time naturally
Supply can be affected by human activity Fish, forests, soil,
Continuous (constant supply)
Solar energy, tides, waves, wind
water, under- ground water
Environmental resources can be classified as renewable, non-renewable or continuous. Renewable resources can be replaced naturally if managed carefully. Fish, for example, are a renewable resource we rely on for food and healthy oceans. Non-renewable resources cannot be replaced quickly and are limited. Fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas are non-renewable because they take thousands of years to form. Others can be recycled; aluminium, for example, can be melted down and turned into new products. Continuous resources are never used up by humans. Examples include solar or wind energy.
SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry 1. What are the two subdivisions of non-renewable resources? 2. Which category of resources do metals fall into? 3. Write two examples of situations where we use continuous energy.
TOPIC9 Water in the world 247
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator