Question

These images were taken from a satellite above western Brazil. Figure 1 shows a Brazilian forest in the year 2000. Figure 2 shows the same area in 2012. The light-colored areas are bare land with few trees. The dark-colored areas are thick forests. Which nonrenewable resource is most affected by the activity in the images?
A) Natural Gas
B) Oil
C) Soil
D) Wind

Answer 1

The answer is C. Soil is considered a non-renewable resource because it takes millions of years for soil to renew itself due to the long process of soil formation hence soil is easily degraded by human activity within a human lifespan. In the picture shown, the deforestation will cause the soil to be easily eroded by elements of erosion. This will lead to desertification of the region which will result in a domino effect on the rest of the forest.

Answer 2

Oil is the main source of Brazilian energy, responsible for 39.3% of energy in the country. Oil is used as an energy source for motor vehicles through the production of gasoline, diesel oil or kerosene, transportation is responsible for 33% of energy use in Brazil. Oil is also responsible for supplying thermoelectric plants.