Natural vs. Human-Made
- Natural Resources: Provided by nature. (Air, Water, Soil, Minerals, Sunlight).
- Human-Made Resources: Created by humans using natural resources. (Buildings, Machines, Electricity, Plastic).
Renewable vs. Non-Renewable
Natural resources are classified based on their ability to replenish.
1. Renewable Resources
Resources that get renewed, replenished, or restored by natural processes within a reasonable period.
- Examples:
- Air & Sunlight: Available continuously.
- Water: Replenished via the water cycle.
- Forests/Plants: Can grow back (if not destroyed faster than they grow).
2. Non-Renewable Resources
Resources that exist in limited quantities and take millions of years to form. Once exhausted, they are gone forever (in human timescales).
- Examples:
- Fossil Fuels: Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas.
- Minerals: Iron, Copper, Gold.
- Soil: While technically renewable, it takes thousands of years to form a few centimeters, so it is often treated as non-renewable in terms of conservation.
Tip
Sustainable Development: We must use natural resources judiciously to meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.