Natural Resources That Humans Use in Everyday Life
It is difficult to overstate the importance of natural resources to humans. Every day we use hundreds, if not thousands, of different natural resources. These resources occur in varying levels of abundance, making it important for humans to limit their use of them in a responsible and conscientious way. It is hard to imagine how different life would be were this bounty of the Earth not available for our benefit.
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Water
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Water is the most fundamental and necessary natural resource we have. Water is a renewable natural resource -- meaning that it generally can replenish itself about as fast as we deplete it. However, we must remain aware that problems such as pollution, poor placement of population centers, and irresponsible use can threaten our water supply.
Oil
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Oil is a nonrenewable natural resource. It takes millions of years for oil to form through the accumulation, decay and compaction of dead plants and organisms. Thus, once we use all the oil this planet has to offer, we will not be able to generate more anytime soon.
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Wood
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Cuemakers use the wood from maple trees to make pool cues. Wood is a renewable natural resource used by humans to make furniture, build houses, make tools, heat homes, and even smoke meats. While it is renewable, we must use the abundance of wood wisely. Widespread clearing of rain forests, for instance, can have lasting, negative effects on entire ecosystems.
Animals
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Animals arguably provide humans with the widest range of uses and benefits of all our planet's resources. First, humans rely on animals as a source of food. Cows, chickens, and fish are vital sources of sustenance. But beyond that, many animals have become domesticated, and prove useful as tools of labor and service. Animals such as horses, dogs, and camels serve purposes ranging from herding to transportation to assisting the blind. In the modern age, dogs are particularly useful, providing us protection, search-and-rescue assistance, tracking and hunting skills and -- of course -- companionship.
Graphite
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Pencils represent the use of combined resources: Graphite and wood. Any time you pick up a pencil to write something on paper you are making use of a mineral called graphite. Its soft, porous nature makes it uniquely suited to this use. These same properties also make graphite an excellent lubricant for industrial equipment and machinery.
Calcite
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Calcite, or calcium carbonate, is the second most abundant mineral on Earth. It can be found in sedimentary rocks such as limestone and sandstone, metamorphic rocks like marble, and igneous rocks. It is used in animal feeds, soil mixes, building construction, statues, and waste treatment. In one form known as "Iceland spar," it is even used in optics.
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