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Natural ResourcesKN LT 8: I can demonstrate an understanding of how utilization and distribution of natural resources plays a role in conflict
Natural Resources
Materials or substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.Includes light, air, water, plants, animals, soil,
stone, minerals, and fossil fuels.
Renewable: natural resources that can be produced again like plants and animals.
Non-Renewable: natural resources that cannot be produced again like fossil fuels.
Forests & Timber
• Forests cover 1/3 of our planet
• Raw materials
• Maintain biodiversity
• Protect land and water resources
• Greatest threat is deforestation
Why do we Need Forests?
Trees reduce the impact of global warming Capture and store carbon Provide flood control and water regulation
Demand for renewable energy and materials Limited supplies
Provide habitats for plants and animals Animals move to new locations or extinction
Combating Deforestation
• Corporations and Markets• Replanting efforts
• Use recycled products
• Consumers• Put pressure on
companies
• Buy recycled products
• Governments• Laws to protect forests
• Treaties between
countries for forests and
animals
Fossil Fuels
Coal Hard, black
colored rock-like substance
Found in many states and throughout the world
Used as an energy source
Shipped by train, boats, pipelines
Oil From carbon
under great pressure and heat
Can be found in Middle East, Alaska, California
It comes from the earth by drilling
Travels through pipelines or by ship
Natural Gas
• A gas composed of methane
• Found in areas near petroleum
• Pumped from below ground and travels in pipelines
• Still produces CO2 emissions, but half the rate of coal
Importance of Fossil
Fuels• 84% of our energy
• In 2008, 49% of electricity came from coal
• 2/3 of oil in America is imported
• Less than 2% of natural gas from the US is imported
• 24% of our energy is natural gas
Keystone Pipeline
Canadian crude oil to refineries in the Midwest and Gulf Coast
Stretch from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico 1,179 miles
Transport 830,000 barrels a day
Obama vetoed Congress passage
Dependent on State Department Administrative Review
Producing the crude from oil would equal an estimated 17% more greenhouse gases
42,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created Equal to about $2 billion
earnings After the construction only
50 permanent jobs
Water California’s water use is split 3 ways 50% environmental
Rivers 40% agricultural
Nuts Grapes
10% urban People
While California's water usage is divided like this, it is expected that the people cut back on their water
Save Our Water Use washing machines for full loads
only.
When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
Install an aerator on your kitchen faucet to reduce flow to less than 1 gallon per minute.
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Alternatively, you can compost vegetable food waste and save gallons of water every time.
Install low-flow shower heads.
Take a five minute shower instead of a 10 minute one.
Turn your bathroom faucet off when brushing your teeth or shaving.
Water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
Adjust your sprinklers to ensure only your yard is being watered, not your house, sidewalk or street.
Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool.
Landscape your yard with climate appropriate plants.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways, sidewalks and patios.
Wash vehicles with a bucket and sponge, and make sure your hose has a self-closing nozzle.