Chapter 1 – Resources

Chapter 1 – Resources

 

1. What are the resources? (What are Resources?)

• Anything that can satisfy our needs  is called a resource.
• A commodity becomes a resource when it  has value. All resources have some value.
  •  Economic Value: Some resources have economic value, such as metals, minerals.

 

 

Time and technology can turn any object into a resource.

•  Time: As time passes, new things are discovered.
• Technology: It is the application of the latest knowledge and skills in doing a work or creating an object. Example:  The technology of creating  hydroelectricity turned water into an energy resource.

• Time and technology can turn any object into a resource.
  •  Time: As time passes, new things are discovered.
  • Technology: It is the application of the latest knowledge and skills in doing a work or creating an object. Example:  The technology of creating  hydroelectricity turned water into an energy resource.

 

2. Types of Resources

Resources are mainly classified into three types:

1. Natural Resources :

• • Resources which are derived from nature and are used without any major modification.
  • Examples: Air, water, soil, minerals, forests, sunlight.
  •  Classification of Natural Resources:
    •  Based on Level of Development and Use:
      •  Actual Resources: Resources that are known and are currently being used. Examples: Coal in the Ruhr region of Germany, petroleum in West Asia.
      •  Potential Resources: Resources whose full quantity is not known and which are not being used at present but may be used in the future. Example: Uranium reserves in Ladakh.
    •  Based  on Origin:
      •  Abiotic Resources: Non-living objects. Examples: soil, rocks, minerals.
      • Biological Resources : Living things. Examples: Plants, animals.
    •  Based on Stock:
      • Renewable Resources : Resources that are quickly renewed or replenished. They are unlimited and not affected by human activities. Examples: Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Water, Forests.
        • However,     their reserves may be affected by the overuse of some renewable resources (such as water, soil, forests).
      •  Non-Renewable Resources: Resources that have limited reserves and take thousands or millions of years to be replenished once depleted. Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals.
    •  Based on Distribution:
      •  Ubiquitous Resources: Resources that are found everywhere. Examples: Wind, sunlight.
      •  Localized Resources: Resources that are found only in specific locations. Examples: copper, iron ore.

1. Human-Made Resources:

• • When people create new things using natural resources, they are called man-made resources.
  • Technology is also a man-made resource.
  • Examples: Buildings, roads, bridges, machines, vehicles, utensils.

iii.  Human Resources:

• • People themselves are an important resource.
  •  Natural objects are converted into resources by using the knowledge, skills and technology  of the people.
  • Education and health make people valuable resources.
  • Human Resource Development : Improving the skills of people so that they can create more new resources.

 

3. Resource Conservation

• Resource conservation means using resources carefully and judiciously so that they are available for the future as well.
• Sustainable Development :
  • To use resources carefully so that the present generation takes care of the needs of future generations while fulfilling their needs.
  • To ensure that the environment is not harmed and biodiversity is maintained.
•  Principles of Resource Conservation:
  •  Reduce: Using the least number of items.
  •  Reuse: Reusing objects instead of throwing them away.
  •  Recycle: Making new items from used items.
  • Respect and Conserve Diversity of Life: Protecting all forms of life.

 Change Personal Attitudes and Practices towards the Environment: Adopting eco-friendly behaviours.