Effects of Limited Resources

An energy crisis could occur in Texas because of very hot summer temperatures. Imagine a super hot, humid day in Texas. What would you want to do? Probably turn on your air conditioning and stay inside, right?

During the summer months in Texas, people in large cities use lots of energy cooling homes and businesses. A limited supply of energy during these months could mean that the state has to force blackouts in which the electricity goes off for a certain amount of time.

Did you know that it is expensive to live in California? Do you know why? California only has so much land to develop. About 30% of California land is protected wildland, but out of the other 70% that is not protected, only part of that is livable land. There are more people than available land, so the cost of living is high. Does this sound like supply and demand? Yes, it is. The demand for land is high, but the supply doesn't change, so the price goes up. Why do so many people want to live in California? The weather is mostly warm, it is diverse with people from all different cultures, and there are many growth opportunities for people.

Pennsylvania has more miles of impaired streams and rivers than any state in the U.S. If a stream is impaired, it means the water quality is poor and not up to standards. Acid mine draining and urban and agricultural runoff have affected these streams and rivers in negative ways. This can cause problems for the animals that rely on these waterways for survival. It can also affect the recreational use of the streams for people who like to fish, boat, and swim.

A clean water stream.

A stream that has been affected by acid mine drainage.

Florida's wildlife habitat is decreasing because more and more people are moving there and new land is being developed into communities. Millions of acres of forests and wetlands have been converted into housing developments. The population growth and increased tourism industry have affected many of the natural habitats of Florida's animals, causing some animal species to disappear.

Wyoming is the top coal producing state in the U.S. But what might happen if too much coal is produced? Eventually this supply will run out. Once coal is extracted and burned, it produces a lot of pollution. Imagine the effects if more coal was produced at a faster rate. Even more pollution would occur.

For hundreds of years, people have tried to strike it rich by looking for gold. Gold is another limited resource. People first settled in Nevada because they were looking for gold, and Nevada mines the most gold in the U.S. It is also rich in other natural resources including silver, copper, and lithium. These are essential for making things that we use every day, like jewelry, batteries, building materials, and even space equipment. These valuable materials are limited and must be mined out of the ground. As a result, people must make careful choices about how to mine and use them to meet the needs of industries and consumers. These decisions help Nevada’s economy grow and support the U.S., but they can also cause problems, like using too much water or harming the land, which means we must balance benefits and challenges carefully.