Year 5

Natural Resources

What are the natural resources? Natural resources are resources we find on earth. We do not invent natural resources; instead, we find them. Billions of people’s lives depend on natural resources. Some of the primary things we use in our lives, such as water, food, wood, etc. came from natural resources. Sadly, natural resources do not always last; some natural resources are limited, especially these days. Not all people have equal access to it either, yet we still need natural resources. Many have taken action for natural resources, and many have taken advantage of natural resources.

Finite resources & Infinite resources

There are differences between finite resources & infinite resources. Infinite resources can be reproduced in a span of a lifetime or can be used multiple times. Meanwhile, finite resources are resources that will take more time to produce. Coal, natural gas, and oil are all part of finite resources that can eventually run out. Infinite resources can be reproduced and reused multiple times, like hydro energy, biomass energy, etc. Both finite and infinite resources are things we use in our daily lives. We should conserve both finite resources & infinite resources as the world’s population is growing.

Does everyone have equal access?

Unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to natural resources. According to research, millions died every year due to unclean water, and billions still do not have access to clean water. It is harder to find clean and sanitized water with polluted seawater as the most significant way we could get clean water is from seawater. Income is part of this problem, as many are suffering from poverty, making it harder for them to access natural resources. Not all people have access to food; according to the UN (United Nations), around 690 million people do not have access to food as of 2018, but as time passes, the number of people increases.

How can we help?

We can help by not wasting natural resources because not all natural resources can be reproduced in a short amount of time. We also need to be considerate about the number of resources we use every day as we also have to save some for others and the next generation that is about to come. We can also reuse resources or recycle resources; for example, using plastic bags more than once or using tumblers when buying drinks could save some resources. You can start in a small community or with people around you and even, with yourself.

Conclusion

We should use our natural resources more wisely because millions of people do not have access to them. Millions are dying right now due to the unequal distribution of natural resources. Since not all natural resources are infinite, we should not waste them. We can help even by doing actions, and maybe people around us will be influenced and try to do it, too. Recycling helps conserving natural resources because we can reduce the amount of resources we are using.

Resources:

● Davies, Laura. Types of Renewable Energy. 21 Dec. 2017, www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources.

● Difference between Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources, MooMooMath and Science, 21 Mar. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLBK1ux5b7U.

● “Impact on Sustainability - New and Emerging Technologies - AQA - GCSE Design and Technology Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize.” BBC News, BBC, www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zn4bcj6/revision/3.

● Banton, Caroline. “Why Renewable Resources Are Becoming More Vital.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 19 Nov. 2020, www.investopedia.com/terms/r/renewable_resource.asp.

● Stories from around the world showcase the problem of water inequality. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2020, from https://newsela.com/read/natgeo-water-inequality/id/54451/?search_id=2edf788d-6a27-4b93-b17b-4335e3837755

● Dwindling freshwater resources. (2019, April 24). Retrieved November 14, 2020, from https://newsela.com/read/natgeo-freshwater-resources/id/50453?assignment=2003795034%3F

● Dwindling freshwater resources. (2019, April 24). Retrieved November 14, 2020, from https://newsela.com/read/natgeo-freshwater-resources/id/50453?assignment=2003795034%3F

● - World Hunger: Key Facts and Statistics 2020. (2020, July 15). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.acti onagainsthunger.org/world-hunger-facts-statistics

● - Factors affecting food security - Food security - a global concern - OCR - GCSE Geography Revision - OCR - BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z23cp39/revision/2

Global Goals for Our Sustainability

What are Global goals? Global goals are the goals made by the United Nations (UN) to achieve sustainability. These goals are not only focused on human lives, but also on animal’s lives and the environment. There are 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The goals include making cures for diseases such as cancer, HIV/antiretroviral diseases and other diseases that have not had cures/vaccines so far. These goals should be achieved by 2030 to make the world a better and safer place.

As mentioned above, you will be able to see that each goal is actually connected to each other. As an example, achieving clean water and sanitation will help us get closer to achieving good health and well-being. Getting clean and affordable energy for all means less air pollution and less air pollution also helps us get closer to achieving good health and well-being. It most certainly does not help us immediately achieve the goal but it helps us get closer to achieving it. Achieving a certain goal can help us get closer to achieving another goal which shows that they are connected to each other.

How can you raise awareness or maybe even do things to help get closer to achieving the goals? To raise awareness, you can do something as simple as telling people online or you can just simply tell your friends and family members about these goals. Getting closer to achieving the goals depends on what we do now, because simple acts matter. You can start by recycling your garbage, composting your food waste, using public transportation or even cycling when you need to go out!

In conclusion, the goals are meant to be achieved by 2030 for a reason, to protect the Earth and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. However, these goals cannot be achieved by a single person, we need to work together to achieve the goals! If we are together, anything is possible!