2. Resource use The rate at which we consume natural resources is increasing Natural resources can be organised into two groups… Non-renewable – resources exist in limited supplies and cannot be replaced once they have been used. Non-renewable resources include coal, oil and natural gas. Renewable – resources will not run out so they can be used again and again. Renewable resources include wind, sun and water.
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4. Are we depleting renewable resources? Forests – estimates suggest 40% of the Amazon rainforest has been consumed since 1960 and at present rate it could be used within 40 years. Water – MEDCs water huge quantities of water every day. Many LEDCs do not have access to clean water. Fertile soil – food production and agriculture is dependent on fertile soil. Soil in cleared Amazon areas rapidly loses its fertility.
5. Why is Brazil’s rainforest being cleared? Cattle ranching – large areas of the forest have been cleared for raising cattle, which can then be sold for their meat Logging – expensive wood such as mahogany is cut down by logging companies and exported across the world Roads and buildings – land in the forest needs to be cleared to make space for industrial buildings, accommodation for workers and for building roads. Mining – the Amazon has huge reserves of minerals such as gold, iron ore and copper. To get at these minerals, vast stretches LEDC
