Use and Abuse of Natural Resources
Forests
Trees also make paper
Use a process called photosynthesis to help keep our air clean to breathe
Rafters hold up roots of houses and support structures to stop mines from collapsing
Through deforestation (chopping down trees to clear land for housing, farming and for firewood
Timber from forests is used to make furniture
Fossil Fuels
Coal is burned in power stations to generate electricity
Crude oil is pumped out from below the earth's surface & refined in special factories to make petrol we use in cars
Helping to cause global warming and climate change
Our great demand for fossil fuels has resulted in air pollution, acid rain, contaminated water & loss of fertile water
To produce different types of energy
Water
Industries uses it in the manufacturing process
Factories use it to pump their waste into rivers
Its used in agriculture to grow crops.
We waste water when we leave the tap open
Use it for cooking, drinking, washing and recrecreation
Soil
When we pollute it (dumping waste into it)
Bricks are made from a special type of soil called clay. Sand is made into glass
When we cause soil erosion (over grazing land, planting crops on slopes)
Use it for growing crops