A resource is anything that fulfills human needs. When anything is of some use it becomes valuable, so all resources have value. Resources can be natural, man-made and human resources. This lesson covers the meaning and classification of resources, the conservation of resources for sustainable living and the various economic activities that link nature and human activities.
1. Meaning and Value of Resources
- All things useful to man are resources. If a thing comes directly from nature, it is a natural resource; goods manufactured from natural resources are man-made resources.
- Example from the lesson: Silicon, extracted from sand (a natural resource), is used in making PV cells, which convert solar energy into electrical energy.
- The value of a resource can be either commercial or non-commercial.
| Type of value | Feature | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Have great economic value | Petroleum |
| Non-commercial | Very abundant in availability | Air |