After reading and studying this chapter you should be able to:
Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources and know what is meant by a resource reserve.
Locate the countries or regions of the world which are the primary producers and consumers of important mineral resources, including fossil fuels.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the exploitation of synthetic fuels, nuclear energy and renewable natural resources and know how they are used to produce energy.
Identify those areas of the world with the greatest potential for producing energy from non-conventional sources, as biomass, hydropower, wind, solar radiation, tides and geothermal power.
Identify the importance and distribution of critical nonfuel mineral resources.
Describe the world situation regarding food resources, cultivation and yields.
Identify the sources of fish supply and major areas of production.
Explain the distribution and status of important land resources such as wetlands and forests.
View environmental resource issues in light of Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons".
Discuss the basic principles of resource management.
