Natural Resources: Depletion and Prevention

Natural Resources

Natural resources are those that exist in nature without any human intervention or effort. This covers all desirable traits like magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces, among others.

When referring to Earth, it is understood to include all the water, sunlight, atmosphere, land, and minerals, as well as all of the plants, crops, and animal life that naturally exist on or within these recognized and identifiable elements.

Natural resources are those that can be found in nature but do not require human involvement to be developed. Air, sunlight, soil, water, plants, animals, and fossil fuels are a few common examples of natural resources.

Natural resources are substances that exist naturally. Many of them directly benefit people, while others can still benefit from the use of various technologies.

Fig. no. 1 Natural resources

Natural resources are split into two groups: renewable and non-renewable.

Natural resources that can be generated after usage are known as renewable resources. Sunlight, water, and wood are a few examples of renewable natural resources.

A nonrenewable resource is a naturally occurring substance that cannot be replenished at the rate that it is depleted.

One example of this is natural gas. Coal is another example of a non-renewable natural resource. There are numerous other natural resources, similar to coal, that are finite and cannot be reprocessed. Since the majority of these non-renewable natural resources cannot be recycled, it is crucial to conserve them. There are some natural resources that are in great demand but are less common.

Fig. no. 2 Types of natural resources

Introduction:

Causes of Resource Depletion

Natural resource depletion occurs when resources are used up more quickly than they can be replaced.

There are several causes of resource depletion.

Our natural resources are being depleted for a number of reasons. The following are some typical causes:

• Resource overuse is referred to as overconsumption.
• Biodiversity is lost as a result of deforestation and ecological damage. Increased logging activities can contribute to soil erosion and the degradation of natural soil minerals.
• Mining for oil and minerals.
• Industrial growth and technological advancement.
• Poor irrigation techniques, for example, cause soil to become salinized and alkaline, making it unsuitable for plant growth.

Overpopulation: As the population grows, the demand for resources increases, which increases the burden on the environment. This leads to the depletion of natural resources.

The pollution brought on by modern technology and population growth is a significant factor in the depletion of resources. Pollutants released into the ecosystem slowly and gradually reduce the value of the natural world. For instance, the unchecked emissions of nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide have caused the thinning of the ozone layer, which has contributed to global warming. The natural habitats of several animal and plant species are impacted by temperature changes, and several species are in danger of going extinct.

Fig. no. 3 Soil erosion                               Fig. no. 4 Deforestation Fig. no. 5 Poor irrigation process

Impacts of Natural Resource Depletion

Natural resource depletion may significantly affect both our daily lives and the environment in which we live.

Some prominent impacts of natural resource depletion are

Water shortages: The main causes of the depletion of water resources are pollution, subpar agricultural methods, and deforestation. Lack of access to clean water sources and groundwater is a result of water resource contamination, waste, and destruction. The lack of water adds to food insecurity and famine.

Oil depletion: About 40% of the total energy used globally comes from oil. According to a study done by EIA’s International Energy Outlook, the oil remaining on Earth would only last for 25 years. Aside from the potential for corporate failure, high living expenses in developing nations, and unreliable transportation, oil depletion can have negative repercussions.

• Loss of forest cover: The depletion of natural resources has resulted in the annual clearing of almost 18 million acres of forest or close to half of the world’s natural forest cover. Additionally, the loss of forest cover causes landslides, increased flooding, drought conditions, biodiversity loss, and soil erosion.
• Mineral ores are being used up faster than they can be produced, which indicates that the Earth may soon run out of certain vital minerals, including zinc, phosphorus, copper, and fuel. For instance, it is anticipated that phosphorus, which is necessary for plant growth, will become rare during the next 50 to 100 years.
• Extinction of species: Some species have become extinct as a result of habitat degradation and changes in the natural habitats of animals and plants. Forest habitats are being gradually destroyed by deforestation. Furthermore, marine species like tuna fish are drastically declining due to overfishing and pollution.

Fig. no. 6 Deforestation                                    Fig. no. 7 Oil depletion

Explanation:

Control of the Use of Natural Resources

We should red

uce the use of natural resources to safeguard mankind and the environment of the Earth.

Additionally, this will contribute to protecting the future of our upcoming generations. The various ways to conserve natural resources are as follows:

• By saving energy
• Conserve water
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle in waste management
• Protecting ecosystems
• Controlling deforestation
• Reducing oil and mineral consumption
• Use of pipelines to transport oil
• Growing of vegetation in catchment areas

Save Energy

Fossil fuels are used to produce the majority of our energy. Thus, it is clear that once we begin conserving energy, we will also naturally conserve fossil fuels.

Additionally, as they are non-renewable, we will save tons of oil, coal, and natural gas by doing this. In a similar manner, it will aid in lowering air pollution.

Instead of driving a motorbike, you can conserve energy by walking more often or cycling. Choose to carpool or take public transit instead of driving alone. Alternatives like solar electricity and biodiesel are also an option.

The lights and fan should always be turned off when not in use. Upgrade all of your outdated appliances with new, more effective models. These modest actions will have a significant influence on energy usage.

Fig. no. 8 Save energy

Water Conservation

When washing utensils or brushing your teeth, stop the water from running. Consider using buckets instead of showers or only taking brief showers. Additionally, avoid overwatering your grass and garden.

Try to avoid using water and make do without it. For instance, use clothes to wipe your automobiles rather than cleaning them every day. Instead of using a pipe, which wastes too much water, to clean the floor, use a mop.

Fig. no. 9 Water conservation methods

Three Rs in the Control of Waste Management

Reduce: Reduce means making wise product choices. Avoiding trash production is the best strategy to reduce waste. 

The methods to reduce the use of natural resources are as follows:

Avoid using disposable items like paper plates, cups, and straws, and choose reusable ones instead.

Make sure the things are durable.

Stop asking stores for carrying bags; bring your own cloth bags instead.

Fig. no. 10 Control of waste management

Reuse: Reusing something is using it once more in an affordable and environmentally responsible way. The ways to reuse are as follows:

Donate or sell used clothing, electronics, furniture, and other items.

Fig. no. 11 Reduce, reuse, and recycle

Recycling

Reusing materials and byproducts in inventive ways are referred to as recycling. The following are some recycling ideas:

Making paper bags from recycled paper.

Buying things that are both recyclable and can be reused.

Fig. no. 12 Recycling

Protecting Ecosystem

Wetlands and coastal areas require serious protection because they are critical to the food chain’s survival. Wetlands are saturated with groundwater and play an important role in the maintenance of vegetation cover.

They replenish producers’ and consumers’ water sources, minerals, and nutrients. Furthermore, they are critical for maintaining plant and animal biodiversity. Coastal ecosystems help to control overfishing while also protecting coral reefs.

Fig. no. 13 Wetland

Reduce Deforestation

Preserving tropical forests helps to protect the millions of plant and animal species indigenous to tropical forests and on the verge of extinction, many of which have proven invaluable to human medicine.

 By regulating regional rainfall, forests help to prevent floods and droughts.

Fig. no. 14 Reducing deforestation

Reducing Oil and Mineral Consumption

Reducing oil and mineral consumption: Consumables regulatory bodies are formed by oil-rich countries in collaboration with the World Bank to regulate oil and mineral consumption and exploitation.

Manufacturers should be trained in lean manufacturing techniques, while consumers should be educated on the benefits of reusing, reducing waste, and recycling.

Fig. no. 15 Recycle, reduce, and reuse

Use of Pipelines to Transport Oil

Oil leaks are common, causing excessive pollution and depletion of water resources.

As a result, if we use pipelines to transport oil, we can avoid the risk of oil spills.

Fig. no. 16 Use of pipelines

Growing Vegetation in Catchment Areas

Catchment areas serve as a source of water for rivers, streams, and oceans. We can encourage sufficient percolation of water into the soil layers and thus groundwater formation by increasing vegetation cover in catchment areas.

Fig. no. 17 Growing vegetation

Summary

• Natural resources are substances that exist naturally.
• Natural resources are split into two groups: renewable and nonrenewable.
• A non-renewable resource is a naturally occurring substance that cannot be replenished at the rate that it is depleted.
• Some prominent impacts of natural resource depletion are water shortages, oil depletion, deforestation, extinction of species, etc.
• We should reduce the use of natural resources to protect mankind and the environment of the Earth.
• If we begin conserving energy, we will also naturally conserve fossil fuels.
• Try to avoid using water and make do without it.
• Avoiding trash production is the best strategy to reduce waste. 
• Reusing something is using it once more in an affordable and environmentally responsible way.
• Coastal ecosystems help to control overfishing while also protecting coral reefs.
• Preserving tropical forests helps to protect the millions of plant and animal species indigenous to tropical forests.
• Using pipelines to transport oil and growing of vegetation in catchment areas to control the use of natural resources are some ways by which we can control the use of natural resources