Natural resource facts for kids
A natural resource is something useful that people get from the natural environment. Think of things like the air we breathe, the water we drink, wood from trees, oil, wind energy, natural gas, iron, and coal. All these come from nature!
It's sometimes tricky to decide if something is a natural resource or something people made. For example, hydro-electric energy comes from moving water, but people need to build turbines to turn that energy into electricity. So, it's not purely natural. Also, things like oil and iron ore are natural, but they need a lot of work to become useful products like refined oil or steel. Even uranium, used for atomic energy, comes from natural rocks, but it needs special processing to become fuel.
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Types of Natural Resources
We usually talk about two main types of natural resources: renewable and non-renewable.
Renewable Resources
A renewable resource is one that can be used again and again, or that nature can replace fairly quickly.
- Examples include soil, sunlight, and water.
- Even though they are renewable, we still need to be careful! For instance, if soil blows away, it's hard for it to come back quickly.
- Wood is renewable because trees can grow back, but it takes time. If too many trees are cut down too fast, forests can disappear.
Non-Renewable Resources
A non-renewable resource is a resource that doesn't grow back, or takes a very, very long time to form again.
- Coal is a great example. Once we burn coal, it's gone forever.
- Other non-renewable resources include natural gas and oil.
- We can use non-renewable resources directly (like burning oil for cooking). Or, we can try to use renewable resources instead, like using wind energy to make electricity for cooking.
Perpetual Resources
Some resources are called "perpetual" because they have a never-ending supply.
- These include solar energy (from the sun), tidal energy (from ocean tides), and wind energy.
- Even though they are always there, there might be a limit to how much we can use at one time. But the next day or year, that amount is available again!
How Much Do We Have?
Most natural resources are limited. This means that if we keep using them, they will eventually run out.
- Whether a resource can be recycled affects its supply. For example, fossil fuels (like coal and oil) cannot be recycled once they are used.
- Finding good substitutes for a material also helps with supply. If we can use something else instead, the original resource lasts longer.
What People Want (Demand)
The demand for natural resources can change a lot.
- New technology can make us need different resources.
- Our needs change over time.
- The economics (like how much resources cost) can also affect demand.
- Sometimes, people stop wanting a certain material completely, and its demand drops to zero.
- Many natural resources, like precious metals (gold, silver), are in very high demand but are hard to find.
Where Are Resources Found?
Different places around the world have different natural resources.
- If people don't have a resource they need, they can try to use a different resource instead.
- Or, they can trade with other countries to get what they need.
- Historically, people have sometimes had disagreements or even conflicts over important resources like spices, water, good farmland, gold, or oil.
When people don't have enough resources, their quality of life can become difficult.
- For example, if there isn't enough clean water, people can get sick.
- If too much wood is cut down, forests can disappear (deforestation).
- If there aren't enough fish in the sea, people might not have enough food.
- That's why many people work hard to protect natural resources. They want to make sure there's enough for everyone, now and in the future!
Images for kids
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Soil, a natural resource for farming.
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The rainforest in Fatu-Hiva, in the Marquesas Islands, is an example of an undisturbed natural resource. Forests provide timber for humans, food, water and shelter for the flora and fauna tribes and animals. The nutrient cycle between organisms form food chains and foster a biodiversity of species.
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The Carson Fall in Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia is an example of undisturbed natural resources. Waterfalls provide spring water for humans, animals and plants for survival and also habitat for marine organisms. The water current can be used to turn turbines for hydroelectric generation.
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The ocean is an example of a natural resource. Ocean waves can be used to generate wave power, a renewable energy source. Ocean water is important for salt production, desalination, and providing habitat for deep-water fishes. There is biodiversity of marine species in the sea where nutrient cycles are common.
See also
In Spanish: Recurso natural para niños
