NORTH AMERICAN NATURAL RESOURCES

by Steve Parker

Without coal, our lives would be profoundly different. Formed over millions of years, coal provides one-fifth of the energy we use today. But burning coal also produces more pollution and greenhouse gases than other energy sources, which contributes to the growing problem of climate change. In the future, it will be more important than ever to find ways to make coal a “cleaner” form of energy. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by John Perritano

Copper is one of the most plentiful and useful metals on Earth. Ancient warriors used it to forge weapons with deadly blades, and shipbuilders used it to cover the bottoms of boats. Today, you can find copper in the kitchen and in computers, too. Copper is mixed with other metals to create alloys like brass to make instruments such as the trumpet. It is even in our blood! The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by John Perritano

Water is one the most vital resources on the planet. Humans can live for weeks without food but only a few days without water. We cook with it, swim in it, and fish in it. Yet we humans often abuse water. We taint it with chemicals and human sewage. Water is more precious to us than gold, and yet we often waste it. As our population grows, there may not be enough freshwater to go around. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by John Perritano

As two of the rarest metals on Earth, gold and silver have amazed humans for centuries. People have searched the world for silver and gold, hoping to fill their pockets with the shiny metals. And yet during all of human history, only enough gold has been extracted to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools. And not every aspect of the metals is pretty. Mining gold and silver comes with many environmental consequences. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by John Perritano

If you put metals in a competition of strength, iron would come out on top. It works hard for us in the form of bridges, skyscrapers, and fences. Combine iron with carbon and you have steel, which can be used in creating buildings, tools, and even satellites. Some of the first iron on Earth even came from outer space on meteorites. Iron is definitely out of this world! The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by John Perritano

The oceans, where life first began, occupy more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface. About half of the planet’s 7 billion people live in close proximity to an ocean. We depend on them for food, energy, and recreation. Yet we know comparatively little about the oceans. One thing we do know, though, is that human activities are causing them harm. Although the oceans are immense, they are also in need of protection. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by Steve Parker

Natural gas is an amazing source of energy and one of the cleaner forms of fossil fuels, meaning that it produces less pollution than other forms. Does your barbecue grill at home use a propane tank rather than charcoal? Does your stove cook with blue flames? These are forms of natural gas. However, natural gas still contributes to climate change, and fracking, a method of extracting natural gas from the ground, is highly controversial. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by Steve Parker

We depend on oil for heat, light, and transportation. But did you know that plastics are made from oil? How about nail polish? Formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient life forms, oil and its by-products are huge parts of our daily lives. However, as a fossil fuel, oil creates pollution and contributes to the growing problem of climate change. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by Michael Centore

Most of our energy comes from fossil fuels, but eventually we will run out. We will not, however, run out of sunshine or wind or waves. The center of the Earth will always be extremely hot, and fuels like switchgrass and algae can easily be regrown. These types of renewable energy—solar, wind, water, geothermal, and biomass—have the potential to power a cleaner future. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by John Perritano

Salt is a resource that we often take for granted. Before refrigeration, people poured salt over meats to preserve them. Soldiers of the Roman Empire received their pay in salt. Even Christopher Columbus was on the hunt for salt when he landed in the New World. Salt is an essential element for life, too. Like water, our bodies need salt. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by Jane P. Gardner

About 17 percent of the forests on Earth are located in North America. From 3,000-year-old sequoias to tiny saplings, trees provide homes for animals as well as products and recreation for humans. Whether you’re interested in herbs or syrup, in hunting or camping, you’ll find what you are looking for in the forest. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this most-vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental issues, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.

by John Perritano

Uranium is a powerful resource, but it is also a mixed blessing. Uranium can light a town or power a submarine, but it can also destroy a city. Areas around a nuclear power plant, which uses uranium to create its energy, can become dead zones if the nuclear reaction becomes unstable. And yet nuclear power can also be one of the cleanest sources of energy. The countries of North America have always had plentiful natural resources. But the exploitation of these resources comes at a cost, and in certain cases, some have wondered if that cost is too high. North American Natural Resources explores all facets of this vital aspect of our economy. Readers will investigate the natural history, human use, technology, environmental impact, and economic significance of the most significant resources on the continent.