Resource Depletion An introduction

Resources z“features of the environment which are needed and used by people.” zNatural Resources - occur in the air, water and on land. zHuman Resources - labour, skills, machinery and capital.

Non-Renewable Resources zAre said to finite or non-sustainable as their exploitation and use will eventually lead to their exhaustion.

Renewable resources zA flow of nature- being continuous, they can be used over and over again. zSustainable- they are renewable and self generating if left to nature e.g. trees, fish yHowever, if renewable resources are overused their existence may be threatened.

Resources Flow Chart

Reserves zare a non-renewable resource (e.g. coal) which exists in a finite quantity in the crust of the earth

Fossil Fuels and Minerals zCoal, Oil and Gas are non-renewable resources created from organic matter zThey are used to produce energy and are the quickest and easiest way of generating vast amounts of energy z1 modern ‘fossil fuel’ power station produces the same amount of energy as: 300 wind turbines 150 km 2 of solar panels 100 kms of powerful coastal wave energy

Future Reserves zOil years zNatural Gas years zCoal years zMEDC’s contain 25% of the world’s population BUT consume 70% of the world’s fuels!

Minerals zMany of these are generally not destroyed in use and can be recycled eg. Iron, Copper, Zinc, Tin