Natures Treasures
The Earth gives us many gifts that support life. This Class 6 Curiosity chapter looks at natural resources — air, water, soil, minerals, forests and fuels — sorts them into renewable and non-renewable, and explains why these treasures must be used wisely and conserved for the future.
Learning objectives
- Identify important natural resources.
- Distinguish renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Explain why resources must be conserved.
- Suggest ways to use resources wisely.
Key concepts
Natural resources
A natural resource is anything from nature that is useful to us. Air gives us oxygen, water is needed by all living things, soil grows our food, forests give wood and shelter wildlife, and minerals and fuels are dug from the ground. These 'treasures of nature' make life possible.
Renewable resources
Renewable resources can be replaced by nature within a short time, so they are not easily used up if managed well. Sunlight, wind, water and air are renewable, and forests can renew if we replant trees. Even renewable resources, though, can be harmed by pollution and overuse.
Non-renewable resources
Non-renewable resources are present in limited amounts and take a very long time to form, so once used they cannot be replaced quickly. Coal, petroleum and natural gas — the fossil fuels — and many minerals are non-renewable, formed over millions of years. Using them carelessly means they will run out.
Conservation of resources
Because many resources are limited and pollution can spoil even renewable ones, we must conserve them. Saving water and electricity, reducing, reusing and recycling materials, planting trees, and avoiding waste all help. Using resources wisely today keeps these treasures available for future generations.
Key definitions
- Natural resource
- Anything from nature that is useful to humans.
- Renewable resource
- A resource nature can replace within a short time.
- Non-renewable resource
- A limited resource that takes very long to form and cannot be quickly replaced.
- Conservation
- Using resources carefully so they last and are not wasted.
Solved examples
Q1. Is sunlight a renewable or non-renewable resource?
Solution: Renewable — it is continuously available.
Q2. Name a fossil fuel.
Solution: Coal (also petroleum or natural gas).
Q3. Give one way to conserve water.
Solution: Turn off taps when not in use (or repair leaks, reuse water).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Thinking renewable resources can never be harmed (pollution can spoil them).
- Believing fossil fuels will never run out.
- Confusing renewable (replaced quickly) with non-renewable (limited).
- Assuming conservation means never using a resource at all.
Natures Treasures — MCQ Quiz
10 questions with instant feedback. Use number keys 1–4 to answer.
Anything from nature useful to us is a:
Practice questions
Short answer
What is a natural resource?
Anything from nature that is useful to humans, such as air, water or minerals.
Give an example of a non-renewable resource.
Coal (a fossil fuel).
Why should we conserve resources?
Because many are limited and pollution can spoil them, so wise use keeps them for the future.
Long answer
Explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.
Renewable resources are those that nature can replace within a short time, so they are not easily exhausted if used sensibly — examples include sunlight, wind, water and air, and forests, which renew when we replant trees. Non-renewable resources exist in limited amounts and take a very long time, often millions of years, to form, so once used they cannot be replaced quickly — examples include the fossil fuels coal, petroleum and natural gas, and many minerals. The key difference is the rate of replacement: renewable resources are restored quickly, while non-renewable ones are finite and run out if wasted.
Why is conservation of natural resources important, and how can we conserve them?
Conservation is important because many resources are limited and cannot be replaced quickly, and because even renewable resources like water and air can be spoilt by pollution and overuse. If we waste them, future generations may not have enough. We can conserve resources in simple ways: saving water by closing taps and fixing leaks; saving electricity by switching off unused lights and fans; reducing, reusing and recycling materials instead of throwing them away; planting trees; and avoiding pollution. Using nature's treasures wisely today ensures they remain available tomorrow.
HOTS (Higher Order Thinking)
Wind is renewable, yet a region may still face an 'energy problem' on calm days. Why?
Although wind is renewable, it is not always available; when there is little wind, that source cannot supply energy, showing renewable does not mean constant.
Suggest why planting trees is described as both using and renewing a resource.
Trees give us wood and other products (using the resource), and planting new trees lets the forest grow back (renewing it), so wise use and renewal go together.
Quick revision
Revision notes
- Natural resources: air, water, soil, minerals, forests, fuels.
- Renewable (sunlight, wind, water, forests if replanted) vs non-renewable (coal, oil, gas, minerals).
- Fossil fuels = coal, petroleum, natural gas (non-renewable).
- Conserve by saving, reusing, recycling, planting trees and reducing waste.
Key takeaways
- Natural resources make life possible.
- Non-renewable resources are limited and must be used carefully.
- Conservation keeps resources for the future.
Frequently asked questions
What is a natural resource?
Anything from nature that is useful to humans.
What are fossil fuels?
Coal, petroleum and natural gas — non-renewable fuels formed over millions of years.
What is conservation?
Using resources carefully so they last and are not wasted.