Life could be different after an ice age because the ice would melt and form large boundaries of water. The land would not be the same at all.
Three important resources include energy, mineral, and timber.
Energy (natural gas, crude oil, crude bitumen (oil sands) and coal)
Mineral (gold-silver, nickel-copper, copper-zinc, lead-zinc, iron, molybdenum, uranium, potash and diamonds)
Natural resources are important for supporting the economy, and supporting the necessity of the citizens.
Good luck on your assignment!
The wind from the ocean keeps it cooler in summers. This is just a guess, but I think the sun reflecting on the ocean helps keep it warmer in the winter.