Ten Simple Things You Can Do to Help Protect the Earth

EU countries have set binding emission targets for key sectors of the economy to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By 2017, the EU had reduced its emissions by almost 22% compared to 1990, reaching its 2020 emission reduction target three years ahead of schedule.

Spain and France share strong coal and zinc reserves, as well as copper and lead. France has an edge in bauxite and uranium. Great Britain has some offshore reserves of oil and natural gas, as well as substantial coal reserves and some gold.

1. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away.
2. Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community.
3. Educate.
4. Conserve water.
5. Choose sustainable.
6. Shop wisely.
7. Use long-lasting light bulbs.
8. Plant a tree.

Resources are important for the development of any country. For example, to generate energy, one need fossil fuels; and for industrial development, we require mineral resources. Natural resources are getting scarce with the increasing population, so it is essential to conserve them.

Any natural substance that humans use can be considered a natural resource. Natural resources are used to make food, fuel and raw materials for the production of goods. All of the food that people eat comes from plants or animals. Natural resources such as coal, natural gas and oil provide heat, light and power.

We cannot use natural resources forever as they are present in a limited amount in nature and take more than thousand-year to recycle or regenerate again. Such natural resources come into the category of non-renewable resources. Example- coal used for the production of electricity and natural gas and many more.

It is important to use natural resources wisely because if we continue using the non-renewable resource means it will be empty one day. Non-renewable resources are cannot be used again once it gets empty. Natural resources can be conserved by regulating the usage of non-renewable resources.

Key Concepts

1. Synthetic materials are made from natural resources.
2. Synthetic materials are made by chemically changing the starting substances to create a material with different characteristics.
3. Some examples of synthetic materials are plastics, medicines, and new fuels.

Answer: No we cannot use natural resources forever because the amount of these resources are limited and they can get exhausted by human activities.

Examples of Synthetic Materials – Examples of synthetic materials include synthetic fibers, ceramics, polymers, artificial foods and medicines, and composites. Synthetic fibers are flexible. They can be used to make clothing and other objects. Some examples of synthetic fibers are rayon, polyester, and nylon.

Some examples of synthetic fabrics are polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, latex and Kevlar. Synthetic fibres are made by the joining of monomers into polymers by the process of polymerization.

The benefits in synthetics are many, they have properties that we can’t find in nature, they allow us to make things stronger, lighter, more fuel-efficient, shiner, longer lasting. And at the same time, we do add to the pollution of our world, affect the health of animals and humans, and requires energy to make.

Disadvantages of synthetic fibers

• They easily melt and burn to form small sticky beads at a very high temperature.
• Unlike natural fibers, they do not absorb sweat.
• They get electrically charged in dry weather.
• They are not biodegradable, and hence, cause a lot of pollution.

The production process is energy intensive and potentially polluting. Their ecological impact aside, synthetic fabrics aren’t good for people who buy and wear them either. Synthetics can keep giving off small amounts of vapor (volatile organic compounds, or VOCs) for years – and washing won’t get rid of them.

What’s the difference between natural and synthetic fabrics? Natural fabrics, like merino wool, cotton, cashmere, and silk, are made of fibers that are produced by animals and plants. Synthetic fabrics, like polyester, nylon and acrylic, are “man-made” fibers that are created in laboratories.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Synthetic Fibres

• Most synthetic fibres have good elasticity.
• Most fabrics made of synthetic fibres do not wrinkle easily.
• Fabrics made of synthetic fibres are generally more durable, less expensive, and more readily available than those made of natural fibres.

: something resulting from synthesis rather than occurring naturally especially : a product (such as a drug or plastic) of chemical synthesis.