social studies

Natural resources help to provide jobs by creating and sustaining industries that rely on their use. For example, timber provides jobs in forestry, lumber and paper production, while oil and gas create jobs in extraction, transportation, refining and retail. Iron ore, coal and other minerals are used to make steel for construction, engineering and other products and create jobs in mining and related industries. Even renewable resources such as wind, solar and geothermal energy can provide jobs in installation, maintenance and services. In addition, many of these industries and their products now have a global reach, creating even more employment opportunities.