Earth's Precious Resources

The Earth's Precious Resources Classroom Set describes Earth's precious resources and the challenges we face in protecting them. Clean water, clean air, and clean sources of energy are vital to all of us on the planet. Everyone depends on clean drinking water. Understanding and protecting our water resources is essential. Developing clean energies—from solar power to biofuels—is also critical to our future. Reducing our emissions keeps our air breathable and protects our planet's spacesuit. People, communities, and nations around the world are learning how to live green—to protect Earth's natural resources.

	Clean Air Human activities, such as burning of fossil fuels and clearing of forests, have steadily added greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, influencing Earth's climate. A warming Earth will have consequences for us all, and we're beginning to see impacts already.
	Clean Energy From solar power and wind power to geothermal energy and biofuels, the development of new technologies and the refinement of old ones are critical to sustainable, accessible energy for the people of our planet.
	Clean Water Clean, fresh water is essential to human life. Yet in many parts of the world, it is in increasingly short supply. Protecting our water resources and developing technologies for recycling and desalinating water are critical to our future.
	Living Green There is a growing need for creative, realistic, and eco-friendly solutions to our environmental challenges. Individuals and communities can be proactive in creating a lifestyle that minimizes our impact on the planet.