Natural Resources Definition, Types, and Examples

Natural resource, any biological, mineral, or aesthetic asset afforded by nature without human intervention that can be used for some form of benefit, whether material (economic) or immaterial. What is considered a “resource” (or, for that matter, “natural”) has varied over time and from one society to another. Human activities have greatly affected the supply and quality of natural resources.

Classifying Natural Resources

The uneven distribution of natural resources across the Earth is due largely to past geological processes such as plate tectonics and volcanic activity. For example, the abundance of petroleum in the Middle East resulted from tectonic plate movement. Over millions of years, shifting plates “trapped” vast amounts of decayed organic matter in deep basins in the Persian Gulf. Some of the world’s most fertile soils are found near ancient and active volcanoes, where they formed through the weathering of volcanic rock. Most metal ore deposits formed around magma deep within ancient volcanoes over subduction zones. Some nonrenewable resources that formed from organic matter are biodegradable.

• However, their finite nature and the detrimental impacts of their unsustainable exploitation demand a fundamental shift in our approach to their management.
• We also use them for recreation and to support our economic activities.
• These are the resources that are found in the environment and are developed without the intervention of humans.
• This article details what they are, the examples in which they are used by civilisation, how and why they are important,  and the state of the industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Most of the energy used in the United States comes from nonrenewable energy resources.

Natural resources are the bedrock of human civilization, providing the materials, energy, and sustenance that underpin our existence. However, their finite nature and the detrimental impacts of their unsustainable exploitation demand a fundamental shift in our approach to their management. By embracing principles of conservation, efficiency, and renewability, we can strive towards a future where human needs and the health of our planet can coexist in harmony. Overall, natural resources are vital to humanity and day-to-day life, but we must remain vigilant of its replenishing usage and its consequences on the already vulnerable world. Additionally, these resources can be utilised to generate man-made materials such as paper and furniture from trees, fuels and plastic from oil or petroleum.

Types of Natural Resources

Oil and gasoline provide fuel for heating and operating machinery and motor vehicles. Petroleum is a source of chemicals used to make plastics, synthetic fabrics, medicines, and other products. Soil provides natural resource simple definition water and nutrients for plants and soil-dwelling organisms such as bacteria, worms, and fungi.

Natural Resources

With the exception of some microorganisms that cannot tolerate oxygen, all living things need air, making this one of the most essential natural resources. However, though air is limitless in supply, air quality is a problem in many parts of the world because of pollution. Living things need the land’s water, air, and energy, and they live in places with the things they need.

Some of the things influencing the supply of resources include whether it is able to be recycled, and whether there are suitable substitutes for the material. Most natural resources are not distributed evenly around the Earth. For example, some areas have abundant water, whereas other places may be arid or prone to drought. Countries that are richly endowed with natural resources have an economic advantage because they can sell those resources to other countries.

In addition, scientists are working on ways to produce energy and goods without causing pollution or using up valuable natural resources. A natural resource is something that is found in nature and can be used by people. Earth’s natural resources include light, air, water, plants, animals, soil, stone, minerals, and fossil fuels. The modern society is the most advanced society in human history. Due to the advanced way of life, more resources are needed to meet the many demands humans have. For instance, people consume so much energy through vehicles on the roads, electronics in homes, and during recreational activities.

They also provide licenses to companies involved in the production and sale of such resources. Many people fear that humans are destroying the world’s natural resources. Clearing land for farming and building wipes out forests and the animals that live there. They also release poisonous chemicals that pollute the air, water, and soil. Many people are working to conserve, or protect, natural resources.

Is human a natural resources?

Ever since the earth was inhabited, humans and other life forms have depended on things that exist freely in nature to survive. These things include water (seas and freshwater), land, soils, rocks, forests (vegetation), animals (including fish), fossil fuels, and minerals. They are called Natural Resources and are the basis of life on earth. When people do not have some resources, their quality of life can get lower.

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For example, liquid petroleum can be degraded by oil-eating bacteria that break down the hydrocarbons in oil. However, coal is not biodegradable, even though it formed from plant matter. Natural resources are raw materials which comes from environment and used to make products needed by humans like food, shelter , clothes etc. The dividing line between natural resources and man-made resources is not clear-cut. Hydro-electric energy is not a natural resource because people use turbines and generators to convert the energy of moving water to electric current. Petroleum and ores are natural, but need work to make them into usable refined oil and metals.

• They are necessary for the economic, social, and environmental health of the entire planet.
• Such energy sources are often termed biofuels because they come from living organisms.
• Such widespread use of fossil fuels is depleting reserves of these limited resources.
• Because these materials cannot break down through natural processes, they may last hundreds of years in the environment when discarded.
• A natural resource is what people can use from the natural environment.

Some material can go completely out of use, if people do not want it any more. Demand of many natural resources is very high, but availability of some, such as precious metals, is very low. The effects of climate change have been excessive flooding, extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, and other calamities. These changes have threatened the way of life of numerous species leading to the extinction of some. Forest fires caused by climate change have also resulted in the destruction of forests which are valuable natural resources. Most countries have experienced rapid development with the creation of new industries and infrastructure.

Getting enough fresh water is a serious problem in many places. Water pollution is a global problem affecting even areas with an abundant water supply. Thus, while water is a renewable resource, the supply of fresh surface water is limited in some places.

They are crucial for the production of energy, goods for industry, and food. Its availability has a direct impact on employment across a wide range of industries. The wealth of natural resources makes a country affluent because it can be used to create financial capital. Whatever can be found in nature that can be put to use by mankind should be characterized as a resource. Natural resources are substances derived from the earth, such as food, construction and clothing materials, fertilizers, metals, water, and geothermal energy. Renewable resources are therefore vital as they generate what is known as clean energy, which means less carbon dioxide emissions and as a result, decreases the need for fossil fuels .

Worldwide, 60 billion tonnes of these natural resources are used to make these products and services and 90kg of these resources are used daily by the typical American. Natural resources such as fossil fuels are important in everyday life as they supply electricity, heat, and transportation. Fossil fuels currently account for about 90% of the world’s energy consumption. They provide around 66% of the world’s electrical power, and 95% of the world’s total energy demands, such as, for heating, transport, electricity generation and so on.

These development projects require lots of resources such as land, energy, water and human resource. In some cases, development has encroached on forests or protected land and led to the destruction of significant vegetation and wildlife. It is, therefore, necessary to control the development to prevent overutilization of limited and endangered resources. However, we have difficulties in sustainably providing our demands as the global population expands and consumes more resources. Responsible resource management is crucial if we want to ensure that both present and future generations may benefit from natural resources.

The three main natural resources are water, air and soil without which we cannot survive. The earth is the only planet where we found all these resources to well-being for the living organism. Non perpetual resources include fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, etc.1 They have a limit of usage, and are running out.