Resources from the Earth
A resource is anything from nature that people use. The Earth gives us many resources. Minerals such as iron, tin and gold are dug from the ground and used to make metals and everyday objects. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas formed from ancient living things and are burned for energy. Water, soil for farming and rocks for building are also important Earth resources. Almost everything we use each day, from a metal spoon to the fuel in a bus, began as a resource taken from the Earth.
Renewable or non-renewable?
Resources are grouped by whether they can be replaced. A renewable resource can be replaced naturally within a short time, such as sunlight, wind and flowing water. A non-renewable resource takes millions of years to form and can run out, such as coal, oil and metal ores. Once a non-renewable resource is used up, it cannot be replaced within our lifetime, so it must be managed with care.
| Renewable | Non-renewable |
|---|---|
| Sunlight, wind, water | Coal, oil, gas, metal ores |
Key idea
Applied geology is the use of knowledge about rocks and the Earth to find resources, build safely and protect the environment.
Using resources wisely
Because many resources are non-renewable, we must not waste them. We can reduce, reuse and recycle materials, switch to renewable energy such as solar power, and mine carefully to avoid damaging the land. Geologists help by finding where resources lie and advising how to take them out safely.
Remember
- Renewable resources can be replaced quickly; non-renewable cannot.
- Fossil fuels are non-renewable.
- Reduce, reuse and recycle to conserve resources.