TECHNOLOGY AND THE
EARTH'S SURFACE
Resources that exist in a fixed
supply are nonrenewable (coal, oil, natural gas, iron, copper,
aluminum). The use of these nonrenewable resources leaves waste
in the forms of heat, polluting exhaust gases, toxic substances.
Technology has impacted the earth's surface and its resources.
How do we get at these nonrenewable resources without damaging
the earth's surface?
Consider for a moment the impact of: surface mining, construction
and urban development, farming, dams, landfills, restoring
wetlands, recycling, conservation efforts!
By now you probably recognize that there are limited amounts of
global resources available to us and that you can have an effect
on the total supply of resources by using those materials wisely.