Lillian
Liem 6S 26
Date:
Human exploitation of natural
resources has modified the environment. Give examples of renewable and
non-renewable resources. What are the appropriate attitudes and practice n the
wise use of our natural resources
Human exploitation of
natural resources has modified the environment. The improper use of natural resources
and improper management of technology during exploitation of natural resources
and environmental problems today are closely related to the increase in world population.
Renewable
resources
Renewable resources,
as the name suggested, can be replaced. They are things which grow, and are
materials based on plants in limitless quantities and their supply is
ultimately exhausted if the rte at which they are removed exceeds that at which
they have been produced. Renewable resources have a sustainable yield. This
means that the amount removed is equal to, or less than, the rate of
production.
Timber is a renewable
resources, it production is not without ecological problems. Trees grow
relatively slowly and so give a small yield for a given area of land. Forests
have a special role in the conservation of biodiversity and provide homes for
more than half of the world’s plant and animal species. Uncontrolled lumbering
of trees beyond its natural regeneration rate would eventually lead to the
exhaustion of timber. Timber will become limited. Also, the extensive removal
of timber would lead to carious environmental problems both locally and globally.
Fishes are an important element of
human food supply. Unlike many renewable resources use by human, fish are not
generally farmed. Modern fishing methods involve large factory ships, capable
or traveling thousands of miles and catching huge hauls of fish, which can be
processed and frozen on board. Sonar equipment, echo sounders and even
helicopters may be used in locating shoals. These methods have led to
over-fishing, because sustainable yields have been exceed and stock depleted. It
takes may years for such stocks to recover.
Fresh water is a
renewable resource because water circulates in the biosphere in characteristic
pathways known as the water cycle. However, in many areas, ground water s being
drawn faster than it can be replaced naturally. If this occurs continuously,
ground water will be depleted eventually and become a non-renewable resource.
Non-renewable
resources
Non-renewable
resource is resource that exists in a fixed amount (stock) in various places in
the earth’s crust and has the potential for renewal only by
geological, physical, and chemical processes taking place over hundreds of
millions to billions of years. Examples are fossil fuels and minerals and ore
extraction.
Fossil fuel
are continually being formed, but the process is so slow compared to their rate
of consumption that for all practical purposes they may be considered as a
non-renewable resource. The burning of fossil fuels produces a range of
pollutants and even their extraction is not without its hazards.
Mineral and
ore extraction have been carried out for a considerable time with important
metals such as iron, copper, lead, tin and aluminium being mined. In theory
these metals can be recycled, but in practice this is often difficult or
impossible. A number of environmental issues are associated with the
exploitation of minerals. Although the mining operations are controlled by law,
the disturbance to the environment is often inevitable and permanent.
Appropriate attitudes and practice in the wise use of our
natural resources
Conservation biologists and foresters are calling for the attention of governments
and people towards the conservation if timber through forest management,
afforestation and reduction in consumption. Afforestation can be done on an
open or unproductive land. The rate of consumption of timber can be reduced
through recycling.
Conservation of fishery resources should involve the fishers, government
and customers. Fishermen should return under-sized fishes to the sea alive and
in a healthy condition and not be left to die and discarded. These will
minimize irreversible damages and permanent distortions of the marine
ecosystem. Possible actions to be taken by governments in the conservation of
fishery resources include: setting limits on catches, monitoring the actual
catches of the fishers and establishing laws to deter and eliminate illegal
fishing activities. Consumers can exert their influence by buying only fish
with labeling or other forms of information about the sources. This helps to
combat illegal fishing activities.