How do people benefit from trees? Objective Students will be able to: 1. Define the terms natural resources and renewable resources. 2. List consequences that can hurt the environment by the cutting down of trees. Background Trees have inhabited our planet Earth for thousands of years. Without the existence of trees, life cannot continue as it is today. These natural resources provide us with food, shelter, medicines, oxygen, etc. These are things useful to humans. Renewable resources on the other hand are resources that will replenish themselves if not used up completely or too quickly. With Duration: 60 Minutes.