All the naturally occurringsubstances which we use can be considered natural resources. These are the materials from the earth which support life on earth and help fulfilling the needs of human beings. Humans require air, water, food from plants and animals, sunlight, minerals, land, soil and fossil fuels to exist. All these useful raw materials are called natural resources.
The picture below gives us a few examples of the numerous things we obtain from natural resources.
Different types of natural resources – renewable and nonrenewable resources
Different Types of Natural Resources:
There are many ways of classifying these natural resources. They can be biotic or abiotic(that is derived from organic materials or inorganic materials). Another way of classification of resources is by the amount of resources available for human consumption. Through this, resources can be classified into exhaustible and inexhaustible natural resources.
1. Inexhaustible Natural Resources:
Nature has blessed us with an unlimited supply of resources such as air, water and sunlight. These resources are called inexhaustible resources. They are also called renewable resources.
2. Exhaustible Natural Resources:
As the human population is increasing at an astounding rate, we have reached a number of 7.4 billion today! Naturally, this means that we are utilizing more and more natural resources. If we go at this rate, we will soon reach a day when nature will not be able to provide us with resources such as plants and trees, animals, mineral ores, and fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. Thus, these resources are exhaustible. These resources are called exhaustible or non-renewable resources.
If the use of these resources is not monitored carefully, there will be no food for our predecessors to eat, no energy for them to power their machines and no material for them to build a shelter with. This is why it is important to understand which resources are exhaustible and which are not, and to practice sustainable development. This is nothing but the development that meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
To know more about fossil fuels natural gas, coal and petroleum which give us the energy to run our homes, factories, and vehicles, and how they are harnessed, download BYJU’S – The Learning App.
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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q1
Why are natural resources important?
Resources are important to any country’s development. For example, to generate energy, fossil fuels are needed; and mineral resources are needed for industrial development. Natural resources are needed for food production, fuel for transportation and energy, and raw materials for the production of goods.
Q2
How do humans depend on natural resources?
Living beings need air and food for life and growth, land to build shelter and live, and fuel for transportation and energy. For all these purposes, we use natural resources like trees, water, air, petroleum etc.
Q3
Is soil a natural resource?
Soil consists of air, water, minerals, and organic material and is one of the world’s most important natural resources. Most life on earth as a direct or indirect source of food depends on soil. Plants absorb all nutrients from the soil and for humans, soil gives feed. fibre, food and fuel.
Q4
What makes natural resources valuable?
Natural resources occur naturally on earth without the help of humans. Natural resources give us water, wood, food and energy. It is not possible to live without natural resources. Natural resources include oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone, and sand. Air, sunlight, soil, and water are other natural resources. Thus, Natural resources are valuable as they are used to support life and meet the needs of people.
Q5
Why is freshwater an important natural resource?
Freshwater is vital for life. Water supports human life and the ecosystem. We use freshwater for food production, drinking, power generation and sanitation. We, human beings and animals, cannot live without drinking water and if the water is not clean, health will be affected.
FAQs
Renewable resources include sunlight, water, wind and also geothermal sources such as hot springs and fumaroles. Non-renewable resources includes fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. Most renewable resources have low carbon emissions and low carbon footprint.
What are 5 examples of renewable and non-renewable? ›
| Renewable Resources | Nonrenewable resources |
|---|
| Solar Energy | Oil |
| Soil | Steel |
| Trees | Aluminum |
| Grass | Coal |
1 more rowRenewable resources include sunlight, water, wind and also geothermal sources such as hot springs and fumaroles. Non-renewable resources includes fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. Most renewable resources have low carbon emissions and low carbon footprint.
What is an example of 10 renewable resources? ›
Renewable resources include solar energy, wind, falling water, the heat of the earth (geothermal), plant materials (biomass), waves, ocean currents, temperature differences in the oceans and the energy of the tides.
What are 10 differences between renewable and nonrenewable resources? ›
Renewable resources can never be depleted. Nonrenewable resources run out over time. Sunlight, water, wind, and geothermal sources such as hot springs and fumaroles are examples of renewable resources. Petrified fuels such as coal and petroleum are examples of nonrenewable energy sources.
What are the 7 types of renewable resources? ›
The major types of renewable energy sources are:
- Biomass. Wood and wood waste. Municipal solid waste. Landfill gas and biogas. Biofuels.
- Hydropower.
- Geothermal.
- Wind.
- Solar.
Here are a few common sources of renewable energy:
- SOLAR ENERGY. Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy weather. ...
- WIND ENERGY. ...
- GEOTHERMAL ENERGY. ...
- HYDROPOWER. ...
- OCEAN ENERGY. ...
- BIOENERGY.
There are four major types of nonrenewable resources: oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy. Oil, natural gas, and coal are collectively called fossil fuels. Fossil fuels were formed within the Earth from dead plants and animals over millions of years—hence the name “fossil” fuels.
Is gold renewable or nonrenewable? ›
No, gold is not a renewable resource. It is a non-renewable resource because it cannot be grown or created. It is mined from the earth, and once it's used up, it cannot be replaced.
Are trees renewable or nonrenewable? ›
Trees are renewable resources. Trees can be planted, grown up, and harvested for timber.
Energy Sources in the United States
Natural gas: 31.8% Petroleum (crude oil and natural gas plant liquids): 28% Coal: 17.8% Renewable energy: 12.7%
Is oil renewable or nonrenewable? ›
Fossil energy sources, including oil, coal and natural gas, are non-renewable resources that formed when prehistoric plants and animals died and were gradually buried by layers of rock.
What are renewable and nonrenewable resources in daily life? ›
Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas will not last forever. They are nonrenewable. People are trying hard to find new fuels that are clean and will provide the power we need. Wind, solar, and hydrogen power are renewable resources that offer hope for the future.
What are the 5 main types of renewable? ›
What are the 5 Main Types of Renewable Energy?
- Solar Energy.
- Wind Energy.
- Hydropower.
- Geothermal Energy.
- Biofuels.
In the United States and many other countries, most energy sources used for doing work are nonrenewable energy sources:
- Petroleum.
- Hydrocarbon gas liquids.
- Natural gas.
- Coal.
- Nuclear energy.
Renewable energy is energy that comes from a source that won't run out. They are natural and self-replenishing, and usually have a low- or zero-carbon footprint. Examples of renewable energy sources include wind power, solar power, bioenergy (organic matter burned as a fuel) and hydroelectric, including tidal energy.
What are 4 non-renewable resources? ›
This means that nonrenewable resources are limited in supply and cannot be used sustainably. There are four major types of nonrenewable resources: oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy. Oil, natural gas, and coal are collectively called fossil fuels.
