Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Chapter 27: Human Impact on Earth Resources

WebQuest

Balancing Act

Introduction

Earth resources can be derived from either living or nonliving things. Many Earth resources are essential for life. Once used, some resources cannot be replaced, whereas others can be replaced in relatively short periods of time. The use of Earth resources must be balanced for life on Earth to continue.

Resources can be divided into two types: renewable and nonrenewable. Renewable resources are those that we may use indefinitely without causing a reduction in the available supply. Trees are examples of renewable resources, as well as air, water, soil, and all other living things. Nonrenewable resources are those that exist in a limited supply and might not be replenished as fast as they are formed. Diamonds are examples of nonrenewable resources, as well as fossil fuels and elements such as gold and silver.

Humans use resources every day to grow, develop, maintain life processes, and reproduce; in doing so, we use both renewable and nonrenewable resources. Governments, conservationists, economists, and others might ask the following questions in their search for a balance of resource use and conservation:

• How do we use resources while ensuring that the same resources will be available to future generations?
• How do the federal and state governments work with communities and conservationists to ensure that resources are used wisely and economically?
• How do national and state parklands coexist with traffic and tourism while protecting natural beauty?
• How do industries maintain sustainable ecosystems while running economically viable operations?
• What role does the government play in mediating between industry, tourism, and conservation?

In this WebQuest, you will explore ways that different governments and organizations strive to maintain the “balancing act” between resource use and conservation.

Task

Your job in this WebQuest is to learn about how resource management and resource use are able to operate in balance with conservation of the environment, habitat, and natural beauty. You will research important resources and parks nationally, internationally, and in your own state. You will discover which organizations work toward conservation and about regulations that are in place to limit or control crowds in parks or overuse of resources by industry.

When you have completed this broad survey, you will consider parks, conservation, industry, and tourism issues in your own area. How can your national, statewide, or international knowledge of similar issues help with problem-solving at home? You will demonstrate how studying the history of issues in other areas can help you make good decisions for your local area.

Your task will be to produce a document or presentation that will use solid scientific explanations to help citizens understand the importance of each angle to the balancing act and to see solutions to a nearby problem.

Process

Read through the following set of questions before you begin your internet research. As you explore each site, look for answers to the questions.

1. What resources are being used in your state?
2. What are the major parks in your state?
3. What regulations are in place in parks or wilderness areas? What is the purpose of these regulations?
4. What restrictions are placed on resource industries in your state?
5. What international relationships exist between resource use and conservation?
6. Are there any particular international hot spots for conservation and/or resource use? Where are they? What organizations are involved in those places? Do you feel a greater international effort is required?

Next, decide how this information could be used to change public attitudes in ways that will help the balancing act. Consider all the angles involved, such as:

• What employment opportunities are available in your community?
• How do you think the average citizen feels about having conservation objectives carried out when it means the loss of their livelihood?
• What will happen if resources are allowed to be used at whatever rate people want to use them?

Prepare a pamphlet, display, computer presentation, or brief report that could be distributed at a community center or at a community information meeting. Include scientific facts and information as well as details of recent government and research initiatives. Try to write or present your information so that your audience will understand more about both (or all three!) sides of the issue.

To help make your point, summarize situations, government policies, and conservation efforts in other states or countries. What has happened in the past that has worked well? What has failed? What types of cooperation and conservation efforts are in place now that seem to work well?

Resources

Time

You will have two weeks to find information on this topic to produce a report or visual display.

Conclusion

In the process of completing this WebQuest, you have expanded your knowledge of the balancing act that is required between resource use and conservation. You have also:

• learned about some methods that are in place and about organizations that work for resource shareholders and those that work for conservation.
• learned about cooperative efforts that are planned for sustainable future activities.
• developed important critical thinking skills.
• learned that there are often many factors involved in an issue and how to examine these different aspects.
• read information to answer key questions about a topic, and you have formed your own educated opinion.
• learned about writing persuasively in order to convince your audience, and put that to work by creating your own presentation.

These skills will serve you well as you form opinions on other issues in the future. Congratulations on your hard work!