Natural Resources and Their Use
Questions and activities
1. What can make what is today a renewable resource non-renewable tomorrow? Describe some actions that can prevent this from happening.
Answer:- What can make a renewable resource non-renewable: Renewable resources like water, forests, and soil can become non-renewable if overused faster than they can naturally regenerate. For example, over-extracting groundwater, deforestation, or excessive chemical use in farming can deplete these resources.
Actions to prevent this:
- Practice rainwater harvesting to recharge groundwater levels.
- Plant trees and manage forests sustainably to allow regrowth.
- Use organic fertilizers and crop rotation to maintain soil fertility.
- Regulate fishing to protect fish populations during spawning seasons.
- Promote renewable energy like solar and wind to reduce pressure on natural resources.
2.Name five ecosystem functions that serve humans.
Answer:-
- Trees produce oxygen, essential for human breathing.
- Forests filter water, providing clean water for drinking and irrigation.
- Soil supports crop growth, supplying food and raw materials.
- Pollinators like bees aid plant reproduction, ensuring food production.
- Wetlands absorb excess water, preventing floods and protecting communities.
3. What are renewable resources? How are they different from non-renewable ones? What can people do to ensure that renewable resources continue to be available for our use and that of future generations? Give two examples.
Answer:- What are renewable resources: Renewable resources are natural resources that can replenish naturally over time, such as water, forests, sunlight, and wind, if used sustainably.
How they differ from non-renewable ones: Renewable resources can regenerate naturally, while non-renewable resources like coal, petroleum, and minerals take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished once exhausted.
What people can do:
- Use resources at a sustainable rate to allow natural regeneration.
- Reduce pollution to protect ecosystems like rivers and forests.
- Adopt traditional practices like water harvesting and organic farming.
Two examples:
- Replanting trees in deforested areas to maintain forest resources.
- Conserving water through rainwater harvesting to ensure future water availability.
4.Identify cultural practices in your home and neighbourhood that point to mindfulness in the use of natural resources.
Answer:-
- Performing Tulasi puja to honor plants and promote their care.
- Using biodegradable plates made of leaves during festivals to reduce waste.
- Reusing water from household chores for gardening or cleaning.
- Saving food by cooking only what is needed and sharing leftovers.
- Community drives to clean local water bodies, preserving water resources.
5. What are some considerations to keep in mind in the production of goods for our current use?
Answer:-
- Use eco-friendly materials like mud or recycled products to reduce environmental impact.
- Treat industrial waste to prevent pollution of water and soil.
- Adopt energy-efficient methods, such as using solar power in factories.
- Ensure production does not harm ecosystems or overuse resources.
- Follow traditional practices like Vrikshāyurveda for sustainable agriculture and resource use.
The Big Questions (Page 1)
1. How do we categorise natural resources?
Answer:- Natural resources can be categorised based on their uses and whether they are renewable or non-renewable.
Based on uses, they are grouped into:
- Resources essential for life: Air, water, and soil, which are vital for survival.
- Resources for materials: Wood, marble, and metals used to create objects.
- Resources for energy: Coal, petroleum, sunlight, and wind used for power.
Based on renewability:
- Renewable resources: Resources like sunlight, wind, and timber that can replenish naturally if managed sustainably.
- Non-renewable resources: Resources like coal, petroleum, and minerals that take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished quickly.
2. What is the connection between the distribution of natural resources and different aspects of life?
Answer:-
- Natural resources are not evenly distributed across the planet or within countries.
- This uneven distribution affects where people live, as settlements often form near resources like water or fertile soil.
- It influences trade patterns, as regions trade resources they have for those they lack.
- It shapes economic activities, as industries near resources create jobs and boost local economies.
- It can lead to conflicts, as countries or regions may fight over control of valuable resources like water or oil.
- For example, the Kaveri River water sharing causes disputes among states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
3.What are the implications of unsustainable use/over exploitation of natural resources?
Answer:-
- Overexploitation disrupts Nature’s ability to restore and regenerate, leading to resource depletion.
- It causes pollution, like industrial waste poisoning rivers, making them unfit for life.
- It leads to biodiversity loss, reducing the variety of plants and animals, as seen with overfishing of tuna.
- It contributes to climate change, as activities like deforestation and burning fossil fuels increase temperatures.
- For example, over-pumping groundwater in Punjab has lowered water tables, causing health hazards and threatening water security.
- Soil degradation from chemical fertilisers reduces crop yields, affecting food security.
- Overuse of non-renewable resources like coal may exhaust them, leaving future generations with fewer option
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