Resource Use
Elementary School
Definition
The ways people extract and consume natural resources to meet their needs. How resources are used affects their availability for the future and can impact the environment, which is why sustainable use is important.
Worked examples
Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) for electricity and transportation depletes non-renewable resources and releases carbon dioxide.
This extraction and consumption pattern affects future availability and contributes to climate change.
Harvesting timber from a forest faster than trees can regrow leads to deforestation, while selective logging allows regeneration.
The rate and method of resource use determine whether the resource remains available long-term.
Common mistakes
- All resource use harms the environment equally. → Sustainable resource use minimizes environmental impact and preserves availability. How resources are extracted and consumed matters—renewable methods and conservation reduce harm.
- Resources are only 'used' when we consume the final product. → Resource use includes extraction, processing, transport, consumption, and disposal. Every stage from mining to waste affects resource availability and environmental impact.
Where you'll use it next
You'll apply resource use concepts when studying ecosystems and human impact, renewable vs. non-renewable energy, conservation strategies, and sustainability in environmental science and Earth science courses.
See also
Reviewed by Pat Cheng, M.Ed. — StudyPug Curriculum Lead · Last updated June 6, 2026