RESOURCES CLASS 8

This presentation includes all sub topics of RESOURCES
Introduction
Resources and Value
Factors responsible for changing substances into resources
Types of Resources : 1. Natural Resources 2. Human made Resources 3. Human Resources
Conserving Resources
Sustainable Development

1. GEOGRAPHY 1. Resources Made by : Shefali Talekar

2. Introduction We are able to use different items such as utensils, electricity, clothes, furniture, etc since they have different usability. When any object or thing takes the form of a usable resource, it becomes Usability or Utility. Use of an object represents its value. Every resource is valuable in its own sense.  

3. Resource and value The meaning of ‘Value’ is worth. The importance of a resource lies on its economic value.  For example, metals may have higher economic value than that of landscapes. Both of these examples of resources are capable of satisfying the needs of human beings.

4. The economic value of some resources changes with time. For example, the herbs that our grandmothers suggested for certain illnesses may have no commercial value in today’s time. However, if you get these remedies and herbs patented and sell it with the help of a medical firm, the economic value of those remedies and herbs would increase directly.  

5. There are two factors that are responsible for changing substances into resources. These are time and technology. Both are important for completing the needs of people. Even we ‘People’ are an important resource. The creation of new resources have taken place only because of ideas, discoveries, knowledge and inventions carried on by people of different niches. Every discovery and invention has led to several newer ones as well.

6. Once fire was discovered, it led to people learning to cook as well. Similarly, as the wheel was discovered, different modes of transport were discovered. As the creation of hydroelectricity with the help of technology was introduced, the fast flowing water has been identified as an important resource.

7. Types of Resources

8. Natural Resources Those resources which you can easily draw from nature and can use them directly without any further modification are known as Natural Resources. The water found in lakes and rivers, the air around us used for breathing, minerals of different types, soils – all these are examples of the natural resources that are present around us. We use all such resources directly. These are also free gifts from nature.  

9. Renewable Natural Resources Those resources which are capable of getting replenished or renewed quickly are known as renewable resources. Wind and solar energy are examples of such resources. Few of such resources are present in unlimited amounts and any human activity can have no severe impact on such resources

10. If you continue to use renewable sources such as soil, water or forest in a careless manner, their stock would be affected in a severe manner. Although water is considered as a resource which is available in unlimited amounts, however, since they are drying up in higher amounts and shortage of water has resulted in many regions across the world facing several water related issues.

11. Non-Renewable Natural Resources Those resources whose stock is available in limited amounts in different parts of the world are non-renewable resources. If any of these resources get exhausted, it will take thousands of years for them to get replenished or renewed again. The examples of such resources are petroleum, coal and natural gases . 

12. How these two natural resources are distributed depends on several physical factors such as altitude, terrain and climate. These natural resources have unequal distribution because our earth consists of physical factors of different types.  

13. Human Made Resources Sometimes different natural resources take the form of a resource only when their original form is changed by humans. Earlier people didn’t consider Iron Ore a resource until they learnt the method of extracting iron from this Ore.  Natural resources are useful in constructing various things such as vehicles, roads, bridges, buildings and machinery which are considered Human-made resources. Technology is another important example of human made resources.

14. Human Resources As people gain skills, knowledge and technical advancements they start making good use of nature so that more resources could be created. This is the reason why humans are also considered as a significant resource. With the help of Education and health, people are transformed into valuable resources.

15. The improvement of different skills in order to create more resources is known as Human Resource Development. 

16. Conserving Resources Using natural resources carefully and giving them time so that they get replenished or renewed is called resource conservation. Conserving the resources for future usage and balancing their need at the same time is known as Sustainable Development.

17. Resources can be conserved in different ways. A person can contribute by reducing, recycling and reusing the goods.  

18. The future of our mother earth and its habitants depends on our ability to maintain it. It is the duty of every person to ensure that: Renewable resources are used in a sustainable manner.  Diversity of life on the earth is conserved.  Damage to the natural environment system is minimal.

19. Here are some easy ways of conserving resources- Make shopping bags with old newspapers, discarded clothes Make baskets with bamboo sticks Switch off electricity when not in use Prevent wastage of water by checking leakages and closing taps when not in use. Reuse water for washing and watering plants.

20. Here are some Principles of Sustainable Development Respect and care for all forms of life  Improve the quality of human life  Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity  Minimise the depletion of natural resources  Change personal attitude and practices towards the environment  Enable communities to care for their own environment.