Types of Resources on Earth
Renewable resource
These are quickly produced in nature with an unlimited supply.
Examples of renewable resources include:
- Solar energy: Solar energy is a renewable resource because it is generated from the sun, which is a virtually limitless source of energy.
- Wind energy: Wind energy is also a renewable resource because it is generated from the wind, which is powered by the sun.
- Hydroelectric energy: Hydroelectric energy is generated by harnessing the power of moving water, such as from rivers or tides. This is a renewable resource because water is constantly being replenished through the water cycle.
- Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy is generated by tapping into the Earth's internal heat, which is generated by the decay of radioactive elements. This is a renewable resource because the Earth's internal heat is a constant source of energy.
- Biomass energy: Biomass energy is generated by burning organic matter, such as wood or plant material. This is a renewable resource because plants can be regrown or replanted after they are harvested.
Nonrenewable resource
These are slowly produced in nature and humans can run out of it.
Examples of nonrenewable resources include:
- Fossil fuels: Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources because they are formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Once these fuels are used up, they cannot be replenished.
- Nuclear energy: Nuclear energy is generated by splitting atoms, a process that releases a large amount of energy. However, this energy source is nonrenewable because it relies on the limited supply of uranium and other radioactive elements.
- Minerals: Many minerals, such as gold and diamonds, are nonrenewable resources because they are formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced once they are extracted from the ground.
- Water: While water is a renewable resource in the sense that it is constantly being replenished through the water cycle, it can be considered a nonrenewable resource in certain areas where it is scarce and not replenished quickly enough to meet the demand.
Sustainability
To make sure we do not run out of the resources we depend on, humans incorporate sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to maintain or preserve something over time. In the context of the environment, sustainability refers to the ability to use natural resources in a way that does not deplete or damage them, so that they can be used by future generations. This includes recycling, decreasing pollution, planting trees….
The United Nations identified three pillars of sustainability as part of the Brundtland Commission's report, "Our Common Future," published in 1987. These pillars are:
- Environmental sustainability: This refers to the ability to use natural resources in a way that does not deplete or damage them, so that they can be used by future generations.
- Economic sustainability: This refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves finding ways to balance economic development and environmental protection.
- Social sustainability: This refers to the ability to create and maintain a healthy, inclusive, and just society. This involves finding ways to promote social well-being and equity, and to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination.
The three pillars of sustainability are often referred to as the "triple bottom line," as they represent a holistic approach to sustainability that takes into account the economic, social, and environmental impacts of human actions.
Humans and the Environment
Human beings are a part of the natural environment, and our actions can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment.
On the positive side, human beings have developed a wide range of technologies, practices, and systems that have allowed us to live longer, healthier lives and to improve the standard of living for many people around the world. These advances have been made possible in part through the use of natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals.
However, human activities can also have negative impacts on the environment. The extraction and use of these natural resources can cause pollution, habitat destruction, and other environmental problems. In addition, the increasing population and consumption of resources by humans is putting pressure on the Earth's natural systems and contributing to climate change.
To address these challenges, it is important for humans to find ways to use natural resources in a more sustainable manner, and to reduce the negative impacts of our activities on the environment. This can involve adopting more efficient technologies, conserving resources, and finding ways to reduce waste and pollution. It can also involve working to protect and preserve natural habitats and biodiversity.
The Environment
Pioneering German geographers believed the natural environment shapes the development of our societies. This idea is called environmental determinism. To understand this Human-Environment relationship, the science of the Earth has to be understood.
An abiotic system is the nonliving or inorganic matter. Earth has four abiotic systems that we interact with: the atmosphere, the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the geosphere.
- The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. It is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. The atmosphere plays a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate and weather, and it protects the planet from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
- The lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, which includes the crust and the upper mantle. It is made up of rocks and minerals, and it is the source of many natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and natural gas.
- The hydrosphere is the Earth's water system, which includes all the water on the planet, such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater. The hydrosphere plays a vital role in the Earth's water cycle and climate.
- The geosphere is the Earth's solid inner layer, which includes the mantle and the core. It is made up of rocks and minerals, and it is the source of energy for many natural processes, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.
Well, we are missing fire, but we have the three elements and the biosphere. Each one provides for the biosphere and provides for the organisms.
The Humans
We have manipulated those abiotic systems and use them to support ourselves. Here’s how:
Hydrosphere: provides all of the water humans and other organisms need
Some examples include:
- Building dams to control the flow of water in rivers and streams, which can be used to generate electricity, irrigate crops, and prevent flooding.
- Diverting water from one place to another through canals, pipelines, and aqueducts, which allows us to use water in areas where it is scarce.
- Extracting groundwater through wells, which allows us to access fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes.
- Treating and purifying water to make it safe for human consumption and other uses.
- Monitoring and managing water quality to ensure that it is safe and suitable for different uses.
- Developing technologies and infrastructure for storing, distributing, and using water efficiently.
Lithosphere: most plants and animals live and obtain food and shelter
Some examples include:
- Quarrying, mining, and drilling to extract minerals, metals, and other resources from the Earth's crust.
- Building roads, bridges, and other infrastructure by paving or constructing with concrete, asphalt, and other materials derived from the lithosphere.
- Using the Earth's surface as a foundation for buildings, houses, and other structures.
- Growing crops and raising animals by modifying the land and soil to create agricultural fields and pastures.
- Changing the shape of the land through activities such as deforestation, clear-cutting, and urbanization.
- Using the Earth's crust as a source of geothermal energy through activities such as drilling geothermal wells.
- Protecting and conserving the Earth's natural resources through sustainable land use practices.
Atmosphere: provides oxygen and protects us against the Sun’s ray
Some examples include:
- Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
- Planting trees and vegetation, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help mitigate the effects of climate change.
- Using technology to monitor and measure atmospheric conditions, such as weather forecasting and air quality monitoring.
- Developing technologies to protect ourselves from the elements, such as air conditioning and heating systems.
- Using the atmosphere as a means of transportation through activities such as flying in airplanes.
- Using the atmosphere as a means of communication through activities such as broadcasting radio and television signals.
- Using the atmosphere as a disposal mechanism for waste products, such as releasing pollutants into the air.
Biosphere: interrelated environment, we consume and depend on byproducts from other animals
Some examples include:
- Domestication of plants and animals for food, clothing, and other purposes.
- Modification of plant and animal genetics through selective breeding and genetic engineering in order to create crops and animals with desired traits.
- Use of chemicals and other substances to control pests, weeds, and diseases in agriculture, forestry, and other sectors.
- Developing and using technologies to monitor and protect biodiversity, such as conservation programs and protected areas.
- Using biotechnology and bioremediation to clean up environmental pollution and restore damaged ecosystems.
- Using living organisms as sources of medicine, such as plants used in traditional medicine and microorganisms used in the production of pharmaceuticals.
- Using living organisms as sources of industrial products, such as microorganisms used in the production of biofuels and enzymes.
🎥 Watch: AP HUG - Vocabulary Development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is human-environmental interaction in geography?
Human-environmental interaction is how people and the natural world affect each other. In AP Human Geography you’ll study concepts like sustainability, land use, natural resources (renewable vs. nonrenewable), resource depletion, conservation, carrying capacity, and ecosystem services. Theories range from environmental determinism (environment shapes societies) to possibilism (environment limits choices but people adapt and innovate). You’ll also learn terms like cultural landscape, adaptation, anthropocene, and environmental perception. These ideas show spatial relationships—why places use land the way they do and how human activity changes environments (important for Unit 1, PSO-1.B). For quick review, check the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and the Unit 1 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1). Practice application with problems at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography)—exam questions often ask you to explain cause, effect, and human adaptations.
What does sustainability actually mean in geography terms?
In geography, sustainability means meeting human needs today without preventing future generations from meeting theirs—balancing social, economic, and environmental systems across space and time. On the AP CED this ties to concepts like carrying capacity (how many people an environment can support), ecosystem services (what nature provides), resource depletion, and managing renewable vs. nonrenewable resources through conservation and adaptation. Sustainability also connects to possibilism (humans can modify environments) and the Anthropocene (human-driven environmental change). For the exam, be ready to explain trade-offs (economic development vs. conservation), give examples (renewable energy, water management, smart land use), and analyze impacts at different scales. Review Topic 1.5 for quick examples and vocabulary (study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and practice applying these ideas with problems at https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography.
Why did geographers move from environmental determinism to possibilism?
Geographers moved from environmental determinism to possibilism because determinism oversimplified human-environment interaction—it said environment rigidly controls culture and development. Evidence (cultural landscapes, technology, and historical case studies) showed humans adapt, modify, and choose among many options the environment offers. Possibilism recognizes the environment sets limits (carrying capacity, resources), but people use culture, technology, and decision-making to adapt, conserve, or transform places. That shift matters for AP-HG because you’ll explain land use, sustainability, resource depletion, and adaptation rather than blaming environment alone. For more on these concepts and exam-style examples, check the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y). Practice applying possibilism vs. determinism on Fiveable practice problems to prep for multiple-choice and FRQ questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
What's the difference between environmental determinism and possibilism?
Environmental determinism says the physical environment (climate, landforms) directly shapes human behavior and limits what societies can do—e.g., cold climates produce certain cultures, tropical climates produce others. It’s older, deterministic, and oversimplifies human agency. Possibilism counters that the environment offers choices (limits and opportunities), but humans use culture, technology, and decision-making to select among those possibilities. Possibilism fits AP ideas like cultural landscape, adaptation, and land use—humans adapt, conserve, or exploit resources rather than being forced by nature (keywords: adaptation, sustainability, natural resources). On the exam expect to contrast the two: determinism = environment as cause; possibilism = environment as constraint + human agency. For a quick Topic 1.5 review see the Fiveable study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
How do natural resources affect where people live and what they do?
Natural resources shape where people settle and what jobs they do by affecting carrying capacity, land use, and economic opportunities. Areas with fertile soil, fresh water, and moderate climate attract dense farming and cities; places with coal, oil, or minerals attract mining, industry, and transportation hubs. Renewable resources (forests, water, fish) support long-term local economies if managed sustainably; nonrenewable resources (fossil fuels, minerals) create boom-and-bust patterns and resource depletion. The shift from environmental determinism to possibilism means people adapt technology and culture (dikes, irrigation, dams) to overcome limits and expand settlement. For AP exam terms: mention sustainability, ecosystem services, conservation, and land use change when explaining settlement choices. Want a quick review and practice Qs on this topic? Check the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and thousands of practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
Can someone explain land use patterns in simple terms?
Land use patterns are just the ways people organize land for different purposes—like housing, farming, industry, parks, and transport—based on culture, economics, technology, and the environment. Key ideas: sustainability (can the use keep going?), natural resources (renewable vs. nonrenewable), and cultural landscape (how humans change a place). Patterns form in rings, grids, long-lot farms, or scattered settlements depending on history, tech, and laws. Theories shifted from environmental determinism (environment controls people) to possibilism (people choose from environmental limits). Watch for carrying capacity, resource depletion, and ecosystem services when analyzing impact. On the AP exam, use these terms and show spatial relationships (PSO-1.B). For a quick review, check the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
I'm confused about how the environment shapes human activities - can someone help?
Think of the environment as both a limit and a set of choices. Physical factors (climate, soil, water, vegetation) shape where people settle, what crops they grow, and which resources they use—that's part of land use, carrying capacity, and resource availability. Older ideas of environmental determinism argued environment fully controls societies; modern possibilism says people adapt, innovate, and choose among options (technology, culture, perception matter). That’s why cities build dikes, dams, or air-conditioning to overcome environmental constraints and why cultural landscapes differ even in similar climates. For the AP exam, link examples to CED terms: sustainability, ecosystem services, renewable vs. nonrenewable resources, adaptation, conservation, and anthropocene. Practice applying these concepts across scales (local to global)—Unit 1 is tested on spatial relationships (PSO-1.B). For a quick review, check the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
What are some good examples of human-environmental interaction for my essay?
Good examples you can use (tie each to CED keywords like sustainability, land use, possibilism, carrying capacity): - Three Gorges Dam (China): large-scale modification for flood control/hydropower—shows possibilism, tradeoffs in ecosystem services and displacement. - Netherlands’ polders/dikes: land reclamation and conservation, human adaptation to sea-level risk (sustainability, carrying capacity). - Aral Sea irrigation collapse: irrigation + cotton monoculture → resource depletion, altered cultural landscape, losses in ecosystem services. - Terrace farming in the Andes/SE Asia: adaptation to steep slopes, sustainable land use, cultural landscape. - Urban air pollution in Delhi & vehicle congestion: land use, public health, limits on carrying capacity (good FRQ example about infrastructure). - Coal mechanization and declining miner jobs: technological change, nonrenewable resource use, impacts on communities. Use these to compare environmental determinism vs possibilism and to discuss conservation/adaptation. See the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and more unit review (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1). For practice FRQ-style prompts, try Fiveable practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
How has the relationship between humans and environment changed over time?
Over time humans moved from thinking the environment rigidly shaped societies (environmental determinism) to recognizing people can choose how to respond (possibilism). Early societies adapted to local ecosystems and used available natural resources; industrialization and the Anthropocene increased resource depletion, large-scale land use change, and altered ecosystem services. Modern geography focuses on sustainability: balancing renewable vs. nonrenewable resources, conservation, and managing carrying capacity. Cultural landscape and environmental perception matter—different societies prioritize development or protection differently, which affects policies and adaptation strategies (e.g., dams, polders, emissions controls). For the AP exam, you should be able to explain these shifts and use terms like land use, sustainability, ecosystem services, and resource depletion (Unit 1: Topic 1.5). Review this topic’s study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography) to prep for relevant multiple-choice and FRQ items.
Why do some places have more sustainable practices than others?
Some places are more sustainable because of differences in resources, institutions, technology, culture, and scale. Wealthier places can invest in conservation, renewable energy, and waste systems; strong governments enforce regulations and fund ecosystem services. Cultural values and environmental perception shape whether communities prioritize reuse, adaptation, or short-term extraction. Geography and carrying capacity matter too—areas with scarce water or fragile soils face harder tradeoffs. Technology and possibilism let people overcome environmental limits (e.g., irrigation, pollution controls), while limited tech or rapid population growth push places toward resource depletion. On the AP exam, connect these ideas to sustainability, natural resources, land use, possibilism vs. environmental determinism (CED EK PSO-1.B.1–.2). For a quick review, check the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
What caused geographers to reject environmental determinism theory?
Geographers rejected environmental determinism because it was too simple, often racist, and didn’t match real-world evidence. Determinism claimed environment (climate, landforms) rigidly shaped cultures and development, but studies showed similar environments can produce very different societies depending on technology, culture, and choices. Critics pointed out determinism was used to justify imperialism and unequal policies. That led to possibilism—the idea humans have agency to adapt, modify, and choose from environmental constraints (fits CED keywords: possibilism, cultural landscape, adaptation). Empirical examples (irrigation, dikes, dams, tech innovation) show humans overcome or work around limits, so geographers moved toward frameworks that include sustainability, carrying capacity, and environmental perception. For AP review, study Topic 1.5 and the Fiveable study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
How do I write an FRQ about spatial relationships and human-environment interaction?
Write a clear, focused 7-point FRQ: start with a one-sentence thesis that names the spatial relationship and human-environment concept (e.g., "This response explains how land use and resource depletion show spatial patterns of unsustainable urban expansion"). Define any AP terms you’ll use (sustainability, land use, possibilism vs. environmental determinism). Then use 2–3 specific, concrete examples at different scales (local, regional, global) that show spatial patterns—include causes, impacts, and human responses (conservation, adaptation, tech). Explicitly link place-to-place relationships (where resources are located, migration to/from those places, carrying capacity, ecosystem services). Mention scale when relevant. End with a short evaluation or solution tied to sustainability. Remember FRQs assess spatial relationships heavily (33–43% of FRQ skills) and may include stimuli on Q2/Q3—practice with timed prompts. For more guided examples and AP-aligned practice, see the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y), Unit 1 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1), and 1000+ practice items (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
Does the environment really determine how societies develop or not?
Short answer: not fully—the environment influences societies, but it doesn’t rigidly determine them. Explain: older theory environmental determinism said climate/land completely shaped culture and development. Modern geography rejects that. Possibilism (the CED’s key idea) says the environment sets limits or offers opportunities (carrying capacity, available natural resources, ecosystem services), but people choose how to use technology, land use, and institutions to adapt. Cultural landscapes show those choices—e.g., polders in the Netherlands or irrigation in arid regions. Sustainability, resource depletion, and adaptation matter: societies can expand possibilities with tech or collapse if they exceed carrying capacity. AP tip: know the determinism ⇄ possibilism shift and be able to give examples on multiple-choice or FRQs (Unit 1 ~8–10% of the exam). For a clear review, see the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
What are the consequences of unsustainable land use practices?
Unsustainable land use—like overgrazing, clear-cutting forests, intensive monoculture, and urban sprawl—causes big, measurable consequences. Soil erosion and degradation lower fertility and can lead to desertification, reducing an area’s carrying capacity. Deforestation and habitat loss drive biodiversity declines and collapse local ecosystem services (pollination, water filtration, flood control). Runoff from agriculture and poorly managed development pollutes water, increases flooding, and harms human health. Overusing nonrenewable resources and failing to conserve renewable ones accelerates resource depletion and long-term economic costs; it also worsens social problems like displacement and food insecurity. These outcomes are tied to APHG concepts—sustainability, carrying capacity, ecosystem services, conservation, and the Anthropocene—and show why possibilism and planning are preferred over environmental determinism. Review this topic’s CED alignment and examples in the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y). For unit review and practice questions, see Unit 1 (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1) and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
How do major geographic concepts show spatial relationships between places?
Major geographic concepts reveal how places relate by describing patterns, causes, and consequences of human-environment interaction. For example: - Land use and cultural landscape show spatial distribution of activities (farmland, urban sprawl) and how humans modify places, so you can compare where similar land uses cluster or differ. - Sustainability, carrying capacity, ecosystem services, and resource depletion explain why some places can support growth while others decline—linking population, resources (renewable vs. nonrenewable), and economic activity across regions. - Environmental determinism vs. possibilism frames whether environment limits or offers choices, which helps explain different adaptation strategies and resulting spatial patterns (e.g., irrigation in arid regions vs. coastal development). - Concepts like conservation, adaptation, Anthropocene, and environmental perception connect local actions to global patterns (pollution, climate impacts), so you analyze spatial relationships at multiple scales. On the AP exam, spatial-relationship skills are heavily tested (16–25% multiple choice; 33–43% FR weighting). For a quick topical refresher, see the Topic 1.5 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1/humans-environmental-interaction/study-guide/AC8bAjXP30nFfGVj2H0Y). For unit review and extra practice questions, use the unit page (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-1) and the practice bank (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).