2. Natural Resources
Natural resources are materials or living
organisms found within the Earth's crust that
can be used for economic benefits, such as
energy production, industrial processes, and
consumption. Natural resources are essential
for human survival, economic growth, and
environmental sustainability.
3. Importance of
natural resources
Natural resources are essential for human survival,
economic development, and environmental sustainability.
They provide the necessary elements for daily life and
industrial activities.
Energy – Fossil fuels, solar, wind, and hydro power
provide energy for transportation, electricity, and
industries.
Food – Agricultural land, fisheries, and forests supply food
and raw materials for sustenance.
Water – Freshwater sources are vital for drinking,
sanitation, agriculture, and industrial use.
Materials – Minerals, timber, and other raw materials
support construction, manufacturing, and technology.
4. Declining natural
resources
Declining natural resources pose a
significant threat to human well-being,
economic stability, and environmental
sustainability.
Human Well-being – Limited access to essential resources
like food, water, and energy impacts health and quality of
life.
Economic Stability – Resource depletion disrupts industries,
increases costs, and threatens livelihoods.
Environmental Sustainability – Overuse of natural resources
leads to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.
5. Natural resources are essential for human
survival, economic growth, and environmental
sustainability. However, the depletion of these
resources presents serious challenges to global
well-being.
Key Points:
Essential for Life – Resources like water, food,
and energy sustain human existence.
Economic Growth – Industries rely on natural
resources for production and development.
Challenges of Decline – Resource depletion
threatens food security, economic stability, and
environmental health
6. Renewable resources are naturally replenished over time
and provide sustainable energy solutions.
Renewable resources
Examples:
Solar Energy – Harnessed from the sun to generate electricity and heat.
Wind Energy – Captured from wind currents using turbines to produce
power.
Hydro Energy – Generated from moving water, such as rivers and dams.
Geothermal Energy – Derived from the Earth's internal heat for electricity
and heating.
Biomass Energy – Produced from organic materials like wood, crops, and
waste.
Utilizing renewable resources helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and
supports environmental sustainability.
7. Non-renewable resources
Non-renewable resources are natural resources that take millions
of years to form and cannot be replenished within a human
lifespan. Their depletion poses challenges for future generations.
Examples:
Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Gas) – Primary sources of energy, but contribute to
pollution and climate change.
Minerals – Used in industries for construction, manufacturing, and
electronics.
Metals – Essential for technology, infrastructure, and transportation.
Over-reliance on non-renewable resources leads to depletion and
environmental damage, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives.
8. Key Types of water Resources:
Water resources
Water resources are essential for human survival, agriculture,
industry, and ecosystems. Proper management is crucial to
prevent scarcity and pollution.
Freshwater – Found in rivers, lakes, and glaciers; essential for
drinking, agriculture, and daily use.
Groundwater – Stored beneath the Earth's surface in aquifers;
a major source of drinking water and irrigation.
Ocean Resources – Includes saltwater, marine biodiversity, and
resources like fish, minerals, and desalinated water.
Sustainable water management is vital to ensure long-term
availability for all living beings.
9. Key Types of Land Resources:
Fertile Soil – Necessary for agriculture and food
production, but vulnerable to erosion and degradation.
Forests – Provide oxygen, raw materials, and habitat
for wildlife while helping regulate the climate.
Ecosystems – Land-based ecosystems support
biodiversity, water cycles, and environmental balance.
Sustainable land management is crucial to prevent
deforestation, soil depletion, and habitat loss.
Land resources
Land resources are essential for agriculture, biodiversity,
and human settlement. They support ecosystems and
economic activities.
10. Key Types of Living Resources:
Fish – A vital food source and economic asset, but
overfishing threatens marine ecosystems.
Wildlife – Supports ecological balance, tourism, and
cultural significance but faces habitat loss and
poaching.
Biodiversity – Ensures ecosystem resilience, genetic
diversity, and sustainability of natural habitats.
Protecting living resources through conservation efforts
is crucial for maintaining ecological health and
future sustainability.
Living resources
Living resources include all plant and
animal life that contribute to
ecosystems, food supply, and economic
activities. Their conservation is essential
for environmental balance.
11. Overconsumption
Overconsumption refers to the excessive
use of resources beyond the Earth’s
capacity to regenerate them.
According to the *Global Footprint
Network*, humanity currently uses 1.7
Earths worth of resources annually, meaning
we are depleting resources faster than they
can be replenished.
Not taking any action, overconsumption
leads to resource depletion, ecosystem
degradation, and long-term scarcity.
12. Scientific research helps identify trends in resource depletion and
predict future shortages.
Provides data-driven solutions to mitigate depletion (e.g.,
conservation policies, technological innovations).
Helps governments, industries, and organizations make informed
policy and economic decisions.
Advances in remote sensing, data modeling, and sustainability
science improve monitoring and management of resources.
Importance of Research in
Understanding Resource
Depletion
13. Key Research Findings
on Water Scarcity
Famiglietti (2014) studied global
groundwater depletion using satellite
data.
Found that major aquifers, especially
in California, India, and the Middle
East, are depleting faster than they
are replenished.
Implications: Leads to droughts,
reduced agricultural output, and
conflicts over water rights.
Calls for better water management
policies, conservation techniques,
and alternative water sources (e.g.,
desalination, rainwater harvesting)
14. Nobre et al. (2016) analyzed Amazon
deforestation and its impact on regional and
global climate.
Found that deforestation reduces rainfall,
increases temperatures, and disrupts carbon
storage.
Highlights the risk of Amazon "dieback",
where forest loss turns the region into a dry
savanna.
Research on Deforestation
16. Soil Degradation Research
Montgomery (2007) examined the effects of
soil erosion on agricultural productivity.
Found that industrial agriculture,
deforestation, and overgrazing accelerate
topsoil loss.
Erosion reduces crop yields, leading to food
insecurity and economic losses.
Recommendations: Promote regenerative
agriculture, no-till farming, cover crops, and
soil conservation techniques.
17. Ceballos et al. (2015) found evidence of the
sixth mass extinction, driven by habitat
destruction, climate change, and pollution.
Estimated that species are going extinct 100 to
1,000 times faster than natural rates.
Key concerns: Loss of biodiversity threatens
ecosystem stability, food security, and medicine
development.
Calls for urgent conservation efforts, habitat
protection, and stricter regulations on pollution
and hunting.
Biodiversity Loss Studies
18. Economic Impact of
Resource depletion
Higher Costs: Scarcity raises prices of raw
materials.
Lower Output: Industries face production
slowdowns.
Job Losses: Decline in resource-based sectors.
Inflation: Cost increases drive general price rises.
Investment Risk: Economic uncertainty reduces
growth.
19. Conservation
Conservation refers to the
responsible management and
protection of the natural
environment, wildlife, and natural
resources to ensure their
sustainability for future
generations.
It involves actions aimed at
preserving biodiversity, protecting
ecosystems, and preventing the
depletion of critical resources like
water, forests, and fossil fuels.
20. Effecient Use
of resources
Effective use of resources refers to
utilizing natural, human, and capital
resources in a way that maximizes their
value, minimizes waste, and ensures
sustainability for the long term.
It involves making informed decisions
to ensure that resources are used
efficiently, without overconsumption
or unnecessary depletion, while still
meeting the needs of current and
future generations.
21. Renewable energy refers to power derived from
natural resources that are replenished naturally
and can be sustained over time. Unlike fossil
fuels, which take millions of years to form,
renewable energy sources are continuously
available or can regenerate in a relatively short
period.
Some major renewable energy are
Solar Energy
Hydroelecrtic Energy
Geothermal Energy
Wind Energy
Renewable Energy
22. Renewable Energy
Solar
Energy
Geothermal
Energy
Hydroelectric
Power
Wind
Power
In solar energy,
the power is
derived from the
sun's radiation,
captured
through solar
panels or solar
thermal systems.
Hydroelectric
energy is
generated by
harnessing the
power of flowing
water, typically
through dams or
rivers.
In geothermal
energy heat is
derived from the
Earth’s core,
used to generate
electricity or
provide heating.
Wind power uses
the energy of
moving air to
generate
electricity
through wind
turbines.
23. Sustainable
Sustainable agriculture focuses on farming
practices that maintain environmental
health, promote biodiversity, and ensure
economic viability for farmers.
It emphasizes soil conservation, water
management, reduced pesticide use, and
crop diversity to minimize environmental
impact while meeting food needs for
current and future generations.
Agriculture
24. National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) 2008: This outlines
India’s strategies to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable
energy, and adapt to climate change.
Forest Conservation Act (1980): Aims to prevent deforestation and
protect forest lands, ensuring sustainable forest management.
National Water Policy 1987: Focuses on water conservation, efficient
use, and management of water resources to combat water scarcity.
Renewable Energy Policies 2024: The National Solar Mission and
incentives for wind energy promote a shift to clean energy to reduce
dependency on fossil fuels.
Environmental Protection Act (1986): Provides a framework for
regulating environmental pollution and protecting natural resources.
Policy and Governance
25. Conserve Water: Use water-saving appliances, fix leaks, and avoid excessive
water use in daily activities like showering or watering plants.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Minimize waste by reusing items, recycling
materials like paper, plastic, and glass, and buying products with minimal
packaging.
Support Renewable Energy: Use energy-efficient appliances, reduce energy
consumption, and support renewable energy sources like solar or wind if
possible.
Opt for Sustainable Transportation: Walk, bike, or use public transport to
reduce the use of fossil fuels. Consider electric or hybrid vehicles for lower
carbon footprints.
Individual Actions
26. Community
Initiative
Collective Action
Corporate NGOs
Local groups can
organize recycling
programs, tree
planting drives,
and awareness
campaigns to
promote
sustainability and
conservation.
Companies can
adopt sustainable
practices such as
reducing resource
consumption,
improving energy
efficiency, and
transitioning to
renewable energy
sources.
Non-governmental
organizations (NGOs)
and environmental
groups can rally
communities, provide
education, and
advocate for stronger
resource conservation
policies.
27. In conclusion, the decline in natural resources is a
critical challenge that demands urgent attention. The
depletion of vital resources threatens ecosystems,
economies, and future generations.
Conclusion
It is essential for governments, businesses, and
individuals to take collective action—through
sustainable practices, innovation, and
conservation efforts—to mitigate further damage
and ensure a balanced, prosperous future for all.