IntroductionUnit 2: Natural Resources Around the World:

Use and Sustainability

Guiding questions for UnitWhy might some countries be better able than

others to extract and use natural resources in a sustainable way?

How do we determine whether the extraction and/or use of a natural resource is sustainable? Is the extraction and use of fossil fuels sustainable?

What are some of the ways in which countries around the world are practicing environmental stewardship? What can we learn from these practices?

What is a Natural Resource?Definition: Something found in nature that people find useful

To meet our needs and wants (demands) we use a wide variety of resources (supply)

Canada is a very “resource rich” country, but we will also be looking at resources in other parts of the world.

BrainstormIn your groups, brainstorm all of the natural

resources that you know – write these ideas down and be prepared to share.

Types of Natural ResourcesNatural resources can be organized into 3

categories:Renewable Resources

• Can replace themselves

• Capable of re-growing or renewing themselves quickly

• Trees, agriculture, fish

Non-renewable Resources

• Gone once they are used

• Created under quite specific conditions

• Minerals, fossil (gold, iron) fuels (coal, petroleum)

Flow

• Replaced by natural actions whether humans use them or not

• exist as part of natural systems

• E.g. Flowing water, solar, wind

Types of Natural ResourcesSometimes there is overlap in natural

resource categoriesFor example, trees can’t grow back because

of farming activities or minerals can be thought of renewable if recycled.

Sort your natural resourcesAs a class, sort the natural

resources your group brainstormed into the three categories.

What is the biggest category?

Discuss the implications.

Recapping and looking in more detail...The following video shows information about

natural resources in more detail: (12:15)

Explaining Natural Resouces

What resources are identified that you missed during brainstorming? Add to the class list.

Looking at what you use everyday

Read the handout. Look at products you use everyday and check off the type of resource you think it is.

(5 min)

Supplying our DemandsAlmost all natural resources must be changed

before we can use them. These changes are called processes.

Example: Mined iron ore must be separated from waste rock before it is used to make iron and steel

TechnologyTechnology: a tool we use to change

resources to better meet our needs (processing)

The changes in technology over time has greatly changed how we use natural resouces

Early technology (using animal skins for clothes)

Middle technology (weaving fabric out of plant material for cloth)

Modern technology (makes fabrics out of human-made materials such as nylon or lycra (think Lululemon!)

TechnologyThere are some countries and societies today

that still use early or middle technology and this affects how they use their resources.

Consider the case study of the Yanomami people living in the rain forest between the Amazon and Orinoco rivers in northern Brazil and southern Venezuela.

(see Physical Geo text page 170 – 173)

Discussion point: Is technology good or bad? (Consider economic, social, environmental perspectives.)

Game Time!You will participate in a natural resources

simulation game where the object is for each group to construct as many paper chains as possible using construction paper, tape, and scissors. The craft supplies represent natural resources, and the chain represents a group or country’s wealth or success.

Like the real world, not all groups will be given the same amount or kind of resources.

How will you survive and thrive?

Let’s Play!!!

Inequality of ResourcesWhat did it feel like to be the country with less

natural and economic resources?How do you deal with thing being unfair? Consider this video: Miniature EarthHow do these people deal with inequalities?What impacts do these inequalities have on

global society?How important a role do natural resources play

in a country’s economic and social advancement?