LESSON 14. Natural Resources

4.1 INTRODUCTION

The main problem associated with natural resources is unequal consumption. A major part of natural resources are consumed in the ‘developed’ world. The ‘developing nations’ also over use many resources because of their greater human population. However, the consumption of resources per capita (per individual) of the developed countries is upto 50 times greater than in most developing countries. Advanced countries produce over 75% of global industrial waste and greenhouse gases. Energy from fossil fuels consumed in relatively much greater quantities in developed countries. Their per capita consumption of food too is much greater as well as their waste. The USA for example with just 4% of the world’s population consumes about 25% of the world’s resources. Producing animal food for human consumption requires more land than growing crops. Thus countries that are highly dependent on non-vegetarian diets need much larger areas for pastureland than those where the people are mainly vegetarian. Our natural resources can be compared with money in bank. If we use it rapidly the capital will be reduced to zero. On the other hand if we use only the interest, it can sustain us over the longer term. This is called sustainable utilization or development. The quality of human life and the quality of ecosystems on earth are indicators of the sustainable use of resources. There are clear indicators of sustainable lifestyles in human life. These are : Increased longevity, an increase in knowledge and an enhancement of income. These three together are known as the ‘human development index’. It means a source of supply/support i.e, generally held in reserve natural means, an ecosystem not influenced by man. It means that reserve stock of supply which living things can take from nature for sustenance of life. The natural reserve stock/ supply which man utilizes for sustenance and welfare. Natural resources can be defined as ‘variety of goods and services provided by nature which are necessary for our day-to-day lives’. Eg: Plants, animals and microbes (living or biotic part), Air, water, soil, minerals, climate and solar energy (non- living or abiotic part). They are essential for the fulfillment of physiological, social, economical and cultural needs at the individual and community levels. Resources are of two types namely Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources.

Renewable resources: Natural resources which can be used but can be regenerated by natural processes provided if there is no intervention in natural regeneration cycle.Ex: water, wood

Non Renewable Resources: Those which will be exhausted in the future if we continue to extract these without a thought for subsequent generations. Example: minerals, fossil fuels.

Different types of resources viz., forest, water, food, energy and land resources are detailed below.

Last modified: Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 9:42 AM