Natural Resources
Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems. Natural resources are derived from the environment. Many of them are essential for our survival while others are used for satisfying our wants. Natural resources may be further classified in different ways.
Methods of Conservation
The challenge of conservation is to understand the complex connections among natural resources and balance resource use with protection to ensure an adequate supply for future generations. In order to accomplish this goal, a variety of conservation methods are used. These include reducing consumption of resources; protecting them from contamination or pollution; reusing or recycling resources when possible; and fully protecting, or preserving, resources.
Consumption of natural resources rises dramatically every year as the human population increases and standards of living rise. Between 1950 and 1990 the world population doubled to 5.3 billion, with nearly 80 percent living in developing, or poorer, nations. The large, developed nations, however, are responsible for the greatest consumption of natural resources because of their high standards of living. Conservation education and the thoughtful use of resources is necessary in the developed countries to reduce natural-resource consumption. Recycling Aluminum Cans
In an effort to conserve nonrenewable natural resources, many industries and individuals recycle waste aluminum. At this collection point, the Alcoa Recycling Company in New Jersey processes aluminum cans into large bales. To protect natural resources from pollution, individuals, industries, and
Methods of Conservation
The challenge of conservation is to understand the complex connections among natural resources and balance resource use with protection to ensure an adequate supply for future generations. In order to accomplish this goal, a variety of conservation methods are used. These include reducing consumption of resources; protecting them from contamination or pollution; reusing or recycling resources when possible; and fully protecting, or preserving, resources.
Consumption of natural resources rises dramatically every year as the human population increases and standards of living rise. Between 1950 and 1990 the world population doubled to 5.3 billion, with nearly 80 percent living in developing, or poorer, nations. The large, developed nations, however, are responsible for the greatest consumption of natural resources because of their high standards of living. Conservation education and the thoughtful use of resources is necessary in the developed countries to reduce natural-resource consumption. Recycling Aluminum Cans
In an effort to conserve nonrenewable natural resources, many industries and individuals recycle waste aluminum. At this collection point, the Alcoa Recycling Company in New Jersey processes aluminum cans into large bales. To protect natural resources from pollution, individuals, industries, and