Natural Resources

• A natural resource is something that occurs naturally in the environment that can be utilised by humans or other living things in some way.

• Natural resources include physical substances, such as soil, water and air, and environmental conditions, such as sunlight, heat and wind.

• Examples of natural resources include:

• Water

• Air

• Sunlight

• Plants and animals

• Soil and rocks

• Fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas

• Metals and minerals

• Wind

• Geothermal energy

• Natural resources may be used directly or processed before use.

• For example, water may be used directly for drinking or irrigating crops, whereas iron ore needs processing to produce iron.

• Natural resources can also be used as raw materials for the production of other things.

• For example, oil and natural gas can be used to produce plastics and plants can be used to produce fibres, such as cotton and hemp.

• Natural resources have a variety of uses. Some are essential for living, such as oxygen and water; some are sources of energy, such as sunlight and fossil fuels; some have industrial and technological uses, such as rocks and metals; and others simply have cultural, recreational or aesthetic value, such as native forests and rivers.

A natural resource is anything that occurs naturally and can be used in some way.

(Images: Günter Albers, Adobe Stock; Alex, Adobe Stock; Aaron, Adobe Stock)