Natural Resources KN LT 8: I can demonstrate an understanding of how utilization and distribution of natural resources plays a role in conflict.

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.