Natural resources are materials that come from the Earth and are useful for human survival. They can be divided into renewable and non-renewable categories. Non-renewable resources like coal and oil are found in the ground and there is only a finite amount, while renewable resources like trees, plants, animals, air, sunlight, and water can regenerate if properly managed. Natural resources are essential to support human needs like energy, transportation, housing, food, clothing, and health.

1. Natural Resources

2. What are natural resources?
• Materials that come from the Earth
• Something useful humans need to survive

3. NON RENEWABLE
• Natural resources found in
the ground
• Only a certain amount
• Once they are gone they
cannot be made or grown
again.
Coal
Oil

4. Natural Resources that CANNOT be
replaced
• Coal-used for electricity • Oil- (not cooking oil)
• Used for gasoline so cars,
planes and trains can run.

5. RENEWABLE
• Can be grown or made
again
• Never run out if we take
care of them
• Keeping Earth clean helps
protect these resources
Trees Plants
Animals Air
Sunlight Water

6. Natural Resources that CAN be replaced
• Trees and Plants
• Give humans and animals
• Oxygen
• Food
• Homes

7. Natural Resources that CAN be replaced
• Animals
• Food for humans and other animals
• Cows and goats make milk
• Sheep make wool used for clothes

8. Natural Resources that CAN be replaced
• Air
• Allows humans and
animals to breathe
• Carries seeds from
one place to
another
• Sunlight
• Helps plants grow
• Give us heat and
light
• Water
• Important for
humans and
animals to survive
• Helps humans and
animals stay
healthy
• Helps plants grow

9. How are natural resources used?
• Coal Heat
• Oil Gasoline
• Trees Homes
• Wood Paper
• Wheat Bread
• Cotton
Clothes

10. YOUR TURN
• In your “Thinking Journals” list one non renewable
resource you use often. Why is this natural resource
important to you?
• List one renewable resource you use often. Why is
this natural resource important to you?

11. How can we protect our Natural
Resources?
• Brainstorm some ways animals need
natural resources.
• What would happen if humans harmed
the natural resources animals need to
survive?