1.0 THEMATIC QUESTION 1

A natural resource, which may be renewable or non-renewable, is any physical material that people view as valuable in meeting their needs. Its value may differ across societies, change over time and be affected by technological development. The way people view the value of a natural resource affects the way it is extracted and used. For example, a nature-centred view may lead to calls for conservation of the environment, while a human-centred view may lead to over-extraction and subsequent environmental challenges. In striving towards the sustainable use of natural resources, people often exercise ingenuity to develop solutions to ensure the continued availability of natural resources for future generations.

Through this study, students will learn how to:

• respect the different views people have about natural resources; and

• show care for the Earth and the survival of future generations.