Any

form of energy which can be used by humans.

Today, almost 1/3 of our land area is not suited for farming; 8% covered by cities, factories, homes and highways; 60% is suited for food and fiber production of that only 17% can be used to grow crops.

Erosion Since colonial times we have lost 1/3 of our topsoil to erosion. Only 1/4 of our cropland is undamaged by erosion.

Urban expansion 1. Land is converted to business or home usage. 2. Compaction results from concrete or other paving materials. 3. We must establish priorities for land use to balance food an d fiber production and industrial uses of our land.

Useable Water
Earth is 70% water, how much is useable? As a power source water was used to carry logs, float boats, turn water wheels

Everyday we use 300 billion gallons of water

60 billion depleted. 240 billion return to the hydrologic cycle. Much is damaged by heat and pollutants.

Since colonial times, 48 vertebrate species have become extinct in our nation.
130 regarded rare and endangered by 1970.

Wildlife conservation programs Programs directed especially for hunters and fishermen. Satisfying the demands of the non-hunting and non-fishing public through the use of parks and game preserves.

Acres of forest land:

In 1607 half our land was forested, over 1 billion acres.

Almost 70% is still forest 1/3 of todays forest land is noncommercial.

Production:

Since colonial times U.S. forests have produced about 2,700 billion board feet of timber.
Each year our forests grow more wood than we harvest.

Energy Sources 1. Most energy comes directly or indirectly from the sun. 2. Wind- used to move our goods and pull water form the earth.

The sun is the closest star to Earth. It brings heat and light to the world. Some areas of the world, such as those closest to the equator, have more sun than others.

Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere. Some areas of the world, such as costal regions, have more wind than others because the terrain of the area is relatively flat and has few obstacles to block the wind from blowing.

The wind blows naturally it is not caused by human activity, and it cannot be used up.

The power of the wind drives sailboats. It has been used to power windmills that grind grain. Windmills can also use the circular movement of the blades to turn a turbine. This is increasingly used as a means of generating electricity.

Coal:

Most widely distributed storehouse of the suns energy.

First discovered in America in 1673 in Illinois.

35 billion tons have been produced in the US since mining began.

Estimate reserves of 2.5 trillion ton of US coal, but is a one time resource.

Oil:

In late 1950s projected that oil reserves would last 14 years.

Today we use more oil but have greater store of known oil- is a one time resource.

Natural Gas: Clean and Efficient.

Proven reserves 260 trillion cubic feet.

Minerals 1. Most widely used are the metals a. Fe, Cu, Al, Mg, Pb, Zn, Sn, (Iron, Copper, Aluminum, Magnesium, Lead, and Tin).

Forests, lakes, beaches, mountains, parks, game animals and fish.

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