SCIENCE

NATURAL RESOURCES

Background Information

Natural resources are the materials that are not made by man: rather they

came from nature. We use all these things in order to survive or satisfy our needs, like water,

plants, animals, soil, rocks, minerals, crude oil, and other fossil fuels. Sunlight and wind is

also natural resources.

The Philippines is very rich in natural resources. We have fertile and arable

lands, high diversity of plants and animals, extensive coastlines, and rich mineral deposits.

We have natural gas, coal and geothermal energy. Wind and water are also harnessed for

generating electricity.

Classification of Natural Resources

A. Renewable resources are those that can be used readily and produced and

generated repeatedly by natures recycling process and sound management practices

of human beings. The air we breathe, the freshwater we drink, the light from the sun,

the plants and animals that we use as foods are all examples of renewable

resources.

B. Nonrenewable resources are those that have finite existence, that is, they cannot

be replaced or regenerated easily. The rate which the generation process occurs is

slow. Fossil fuels-coals, oil, natural gas and minerals from the soli are examples of

nonrenewable resources.