Class 8 Social Science Resources Exam Notes

Class 8 Social Science Resources Exam Notes. Please refer to the examination notes which you can use for preparing and revising for exams. These notes will help you to revise the concepts quickly and get good marks.

Class 8 Social Science Resources exam notes covering the meaning and definition of resources, essential conditions, types of resources (natural, human and man-made), resource use, conservation of resources, the principles of resource conservation, sustainable development, and the differences between potential and actual resources, renewable and non-renewable resources, and natural and human resources.

Class 8 Social Science Resources Exam Notes

Covers the following topics:
1. Introduction
2. Meaning and definition
3. Essential conditions
4. Types of resources
5. Natural resources
6. Human resources
7. Man-made resources
8. Conserving resources
9. Principles of resource conservation
10. Sustainable development

INTRODUCTION

Since the dawn of civilisation, man has depended upon nature for his survival. Nature caters to the various bare physical needs of man on a continuous basis. Nature provides food, shelter and clothing in raw form. In earlier times, man consumed these raw materials as they were available, but gradually he learnt to use them in a better and more efficient manner. Later, man learnt to live a settled life and store things for his use. Nature has bestowed humans with various resources, such as land, water, forest and soil.

MEANING AND DEFINITION

The term 'resource' is derived from the Latin word "Reserge", which means to rise again. It also has close links with the old French word "Resourde", which means to relive. Thus, we can say that an element becomes a resource only when its importance is known and it is beneficial to man.

"Resources are those aspects of man's environment which facilitate the satisfaction of man's wants."
"Means of attaining given ends."

Resources are considered as the means to achieve man's given ends and to satisfy wants, be they individual or societal. Resources are basically:
Means of achieving given ends
A tool to satisfy human wants
A possible assistance
A base for survival
Stuff which can be used in need

ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS

1. Utility: A particular substance available in nature should have some utility to man. Unless it is of no use to man, it is treated as a neutral substance. But by the time it becomes useful to man in any way, it becomes a resource.
2. Functionability: A thing becomes a resource by its functionability towards man. A lump of coal is a resource not because it looks black in colour and is composed of the dead remains of plants, but because it has some utility to man. It satisfies human wants in various ways.

A. Resources
(i) Anything that can be used to satisfy human needs is a resource.
(ii) Utility or usability is what makes an object or substance a resource.
(iii) Any physical material becomes a resource when humans find it useful and attach some value to it, such as rocks, minerals, soils, rivers, plants and animals.
(iv) By developing human skills, other resources can be developed.
(v) Things become resources only when they have a value.
(vi) Time and technology are two important factors that can change substances into resources. For example, the discovery of fire led to the practice of cooking.

B. Value
Human needs and desires grow and change with the progress of a society. Gifts of nature acquire value with reference to the needs of people living in a region and the technology available. Natural endowments were already present on earth when humans appeared on the scene, but they were not of much value until humans discovered their use and found appropriate technology to make them usable.

Value can be:
(i) Economic: When resources are used for production.
(ii) Legal: When the Clean Air Act is applied to the quality of air.
(iii) Aesthetic: When we think of the natural beauty of forests, mountains, lakes and rivers.
(iv) Ethical: When we preserve our National Parks for future generations.

TYPES OF RESOURCES

Resources are classified as:
Natural, man-made and human resources.
On the basis of their level of development: actual and potential.
On the basis of their use: renewable and non-renewable.
On the basis of their origin: biotic and abiotic.
On the basis of their distribution: ubiquitous and localised.

A. NATURAL RESOURCES

Nature is the original basis of all resources. Nature has provided us with sunlight, air, water, etc. We can use these resources directly and without any value addition. Most resources are a free gift of nature, and hence they should be used with the utmost care. Today, the total environment of the world has become a resource. We use these gifts of nature to satisfy our needs.

Natural resources can be further classified in the following ways:

1. On the basis of origin:
Abiotic and biotic resources: On the basis of origin, natural resources can be abiotic or biotic. Living things such as plants and animals are biotic resources, while non-living things such as land, water and air are abiotic resources. Biotic resources are capable of reproduction, while abiotic resources are fixed in amount and can be exhausted if not used properly. We can say that biotic resources are generally renewable, while abiotic ones are non-renewable.

2. On the basis of their use and development:
Actual and potential resources: On the basis of their use and development, natural resources can be classified into actual resources and potential resources. Resources which are at present in use and whose estimated reserves are known are called actual resources. The total amount of coal in the Damodar Valley of India is known, so it is an actual resource. When the force of falling water is used for generating electricity, it is an actual resource.

Resources which can be explored and are likely to be available for use are called potential resources. Their quality and quantity are not known. Potential resources can possibly be developed in future. The size of a potential resource may change with time and new technological development. The numerous waterfalls in Africa provide a potential resource for hydroelectricity.

3. On the basis of their use:
Renewable and non-renewable resources: On the basis of use, natural resources can be classified into renewable and non-renewable resources. Resources which have the capacity or ability to reproduce or renew quickly are called renewable resources. Non-renewable resources, however, are of an exhaustible type, as they cannot reproduce themselves.

Renewable resources include solar and wind energy, water, soil, forests, etc. Some renewable resources can be destroyed due to careless use. Non-renewable resources are limited in reserves, and it may take thousands of years to renew them. For example, coal or petroleum, if taken out completely, may take millions of years to form again. As the time period is extremely long, such resources are considered non-renewable.

4. On the basis of their distribution:
Ubiquitous and localised resources: Ubiquitous resources are those which are found almost everywhere on the earth, such as the air we breathe. Resources like the reserves of iron, copper and coal are not found everywhere, but are confined to certain places. These are called localised resources. The distribution of localised resources is highly uneven on the surface of the earth.

B. HUMAN RESOURCES

Human beings are not only the most important, but also the ultimate resource on the earth. Human beings can explore, develop and convert natural resources into useful goods as per their abilities and demands. Thus, the people who are the human resource have to be healthy, educated and skilled.

Human beings are the only ones who can create more resources and put them to the best possible use. Human resources refer not only to the numbers of people, but also to their physical and mental abilities. Human resource development can be carried out by improving the quality of people's skills through education and training. Human resources, like natural resources, are not distributed uniformly on the earth's surface. They vary greatly in their spatial distribution, and also in their education, age, sex, standard of living, etc.

C. MAN-MADE RESOURCES

Most natural resources involve various processes to make them useful. Human beings have the knowledge, skills and capacity to change natural substances into usable resources. For example, most metals in the ore form were not a resource until human beings developed the technique to extract metals from metallic ores. Natural resources can be used to make buildings, bridges, roads, machinery, automobiles, ships, etc., which can be called man-made resources. Technology is also a man-made resource.

Those aids of production which have been created by people to utilise the physical materials of the environment are called human-made resources, e.g., machines and tools. Human-made resources have gained importance because they help in enhancing productivity. This is done by:
(i) Growth in physical capital: The equipment and buildings used to produce other things contribute a great deal to productivity.
(ii) Technology: The method of doing or making things is an important contributor to productivity growth.
(iii) Political institutions: Enforcement of the rule of law and of property rights reduces uncertainty. The laws of a nation concerning openness to international trade and investment also influence productivity.

D. RESOURCE USE

With economic development, the demand for resources increases faster. Developed countries use more resources than developing countries. They have a higher standard of living and can influence the demand for resources. They possess the latest technology and can exploit their resources fully. Their productivity per hour is higher than that of developing nations. The rising demand for various resources has caused the degradation or depletion of many valuable resources.

(i) Overuse of soil has caused infertility in many areas.
(ii) Widespread deforestation and killing of animals and birds have endangered many animal and plant species.
(iii) The quality of air, water and land resources has also been affected badly due to misuse and overuse.

E. CONSERVING RESOURCES

(i) Using resources carefully and giving them time to renew is called resource conservation.
(ii) Balancing the need to use resources with conserving them for the future is called sustainable development.
(iii) There are many ways of conserving resources. Each person can contribute by reducing consumption, recycling and reusing things. Ultimately, it makes a difference, because all our lives are linked.
(iv) Conservation strives to meet the needs of both present and future generations.
(v) It also maintains ecological balance.
(vi) Carelessness can create a situation in which even renewable resources become very scarce and non-renewable ones get exhausted. We can conserve resources by reducing consumption or by recycling them.

The reasons for resource planning and conservation are as follows:

1. Resource scarcity: At the end of the nineteenth century, in most parts of the world (developed countries), resource scarcity was felt for several reasons. The myth of the super abundance of resources was shattered, and some control over the exploitation of resources was considered necessary.
2. Realisation of mistake: Man soon began to realise his capability for destroying the environment and that his own survival is at stake. Moreover, social reforms during that period also prepared a strong base for the planning of resources.
3. Demand of resources: Due to the increase in population, more and more resources were needed to cater to demand. The increasing demand led to the development of the planning and conservation view.
4. Overutilisation and pollution: With the passage of time, man overutilised resources, due to which acute shortage was felt. Resources were also polluted without care for their preservation. For example, in some parts of the world, water is polluted to such an extent that it is no longer usable. In most advanced countries, the wastes from factories and industries are discharged into rivers and streams without treatment.

PRINCIPLES OF RESOURCE CONSERVATION

The principles are remembered by the word P R U S I M R I: Preservation, Restoration, Upgradation, Substitution, Integration, Maximisation, Recycle or Reuse, and Individual responsibility.

1. Preservation: Resources should be preserved from being totally destroyed. It does not mean no use of resources, but maintaining them in their existing form.
2. Restoration: Despite our best intentions, we often make mistakes when using natural resources. Once these errors are identified, the professional conservationist has the responsibility of repairing the damage, so that the original value and productivity of resources can be restored.
3. Upgradation: Upgradation means emphasis on technology through which we can enhance the utility of resources.
4. Substitution: The replacement of scarce resources with more abundant ones, and the replacement of non-renewable resources with renewable ones, is known as substitution. This practice is mostly used in mineral resource conservation.
5. Integration: A given natural resource such as a forest does not stand in isolation. It is frequently associated with other resources such as soil, water and wildlife. A conservationist must decide whether a mature pine is more valuable to society as timber or as part of the forest, soil, water, wildlife and scenic beauty complex. The evaluation of how the maximum value for society may be obtained from such a complex of interrelated resources is known as integration. It reflects the issue of environment.
6. Maximisation: It refers to the reduction of waste by the most efficient use of resources. This depends on the advancement of the available technology.
7. Recycle or reuse: Many resources can be reused by treating them again, for example paper and water.
8. Individual responsibility: This aspect is related to human beings. We should take care of resources because these resources take care of us. It is the responsibility of each and every person to protect resources from total destruction and to protect them for the future.

F. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Earth Summit in 1992 defined sustainable development as the type of economic development which takes into account the needs of the present and future generations. The main aims of sustainable development are:
There should be proper use of resources.
The needs of present and future generations must be taken into account.
The disparities between nations should be reduced or removed.

The main principles of sustainable development are:
Respect and care for all forms of life.
Improve the quality of human life.
Conserve the earth's vitality and diversity.
Minimise the wastage of natural resources.
Change your attitude towards the environment.

G. DIFFERENCES

Difference between potential and actual resources

Difference between renewable and non-renewable resources

Difference between natural and human resources

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