Natural resources are the raw materials and sources of energy that we use. Petrol, metals, soil, sand, wind, water, and everything in between are natural resources. Manufactured items such as plastic, sheet metal, fabrics, microchips, electricity and concrete are not natural resources, but are most definitely derived from natural resources.
Natural resources are the raw materials and sources of energy that we use.
Petrol, metals, soil, sand, wind, water and everything in between are natural resources. Manufactured items such as plastic, sheet metal, fabrics, microchips, electricity and concrete are not natural resources, but are most definitely derived from natural resources.
Think about the relationship between natural resources and manufactured products. In essence, we call them “natural” resources because they are things human society uses that are created (or were created in the case of fossil fuels) without human intervention.
Types of natural resources
Natural resources fall into three categories: perpetual renewable resources; intermediate renewable resources and non-renewable resources. Furthermore, we can divide renewable resources into perpetual and intermediate categories.
Perpetually Renewable Resources
Perpetually renewable resources are the easiest resources to understand; these are natural resources that are constantly replenished by the Sun’s and Earth’s natural processes. For example, every day the sun delivers an average of 198 Watts of energy to every square meter (m\(^2\)) of the Earth’s surface. For comparison a standard incandescent light bulb in a bedside lamp uses 40 Watts, or a 100kg person climbing a step in 2 seconds uses roughly 200 Watts. Every day without fail for the last 5 billion years (plus or minus a few hundred million years) the Sun has delivered this solar energy.
Together with geothermal energy (heat from the Earth’s interior), the Sun’s perpetual energy powers the winds, ocean currents, precipitation and most of the Earth’s plant life. Solar and geothermal natural resources currently energise a significant and growing percentage of many nations’ electrical grids. It is perpetually renewable in the sense that no matter how much we use in terms of human time-scales (e.g decades to millennia), the Sun and the Earth will always make more.
Intermediate Renewable Resources
Intermediate renewable resources are only renewable resources if we don’t use them too quickly. They are resources such as freshwater, soil, crops and trees for timber. If we didn’t use them, they would be perpetually renewable, but because they require time (on human time-scales) to regenerate or grow, we can overuse them until they are no longer available.
Freshwater is a great example of an intermediate renewable resource. Through the water cycle, the sun evaporates water from the surface of saltwater oceans that travels over land and falls back to earth as freshwater rain. This rain fills the lakes, rivers and aquifers we use for agriculture, industry and drinking water. If we use this freshwater at the same rate as the rain recharging it, then we won’t run out. If we use the freshwater faster than it recharges, then we will. Intermediate renewable resources must be carefully managed to ensure they are not depleted.
Non-renewable Resources
The last category of natural resources are the non-renewables. These are resources that will not regenerate on human time-scales. Once they have been depleted they will no longer be available and no more will be made. The most common examples of non-renewable resources are fossil fuels, so-called because most were created by processes that take millions of years. Fossil fuels include crude oil, natural gas, coal and uranium. Other non-renewable resources include metals, lithium and rare-Earth elements (REE’s), but it’s important to remember that while we may eventually run out of mineable metals and REE’s, with careful waste management, these can be recovered through recycling. However, it is not the same for fossil fuels as using them for energy alters their chemistry so they are no longer useful.
© Central Queensland University 2021
FAQs
A natural resource is something that is found in nature and can be used by people. Earth's natural resources include light, air, water, plants, animals, soil, stone, minerals, and fossil fuels.
What are the four types of natural resources? ›
The four natural resources are renewable, living, non renewable, and fossil fuels. They are very important to our life and existance. Renewable resorces is something that can be renewed.
What are the three natural resources? ›
Water, air, and soil are three natural resources that we cannot live without. The Forest Service strives to protect, maintain, and restore these valuable assets now and into the future. Water is one of the most important natural resources flowing from forests.
Are humans a natural resource? ›
Any life form that lives within nature is a Biotic Resource, like humans, animals, plants, etc. In contrast, an abiotic resource is that which is available in nature but has no life; like metals, rocks, and stones.
What is a natural resource simple? ›
Any natural substance that humans use can be considered a natural resource. Oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone and sand are natural resources. Other natural resources are air, sunlight, soil and water. Animals, birds, fish and plants are natural resources as well.
What is the best definition of a natural resource? ›
Natural resources are all the land, forests, energy sources, and minerals existing naturally in a place that can be used by people.
What are the 4 major resources? ›
There are four categories of resources, or factors of production:
- Natural resources (land)
- Labor (human capital)
- Capital (machinery, factories, equipment)
- Entrepreneurship.
Resources are characterized as renewable or nonrenewable; a renewable resource can replenish itself at the rate it is used, while a nonrenewable resource has a limited supply. Renewable resources include timber, wind, and solar while nonrenewable resources include coal and natural gas.
How are natural resources classified? ›
Natural Resources are broadly classified into renewable and non-renewable resources. Resources which can replenish themselves by quick recycling are called renewable resources. Non- renewable sources will end at some time. They cannot be replenished by any means i.e they are exhaustible.
What natural resources do humans use the most? ›
Energy resources: A major natural resource that all Americans rely on is petroleum fuel (oil or natural gas). Petroleum is an earth material that forms within the Earth and can be burned to produce heat and electricity or made into gasoline. Other fuels are coal, uranium, and alternative energy (wind, tidal, solar).
Natural resources include things like plants, soil, sunshine, water, fossil fuels, air, wildlife, metals, and minerals. For example, plants are used for food and medicine, animals are used for food, clothing, and art, and fossil fuels are used for energy, heating, and cooling.
Can we survive without natural resources? ›
We cannot live without the clean air we breathe, the plants we eat, or the water we drink. We need natural resources to put roofs over our heads and heat our homes. We need them to survive and to thrive.
Are resources always natural? ›
Petrol, metals, soil, sand, wind, water and everything in between are natural resources. Manufactured items such as plastic, sheet metal, fabrics, microchips, electricity and concrete are not natural resources, but are most definitely derived from natural resources.
What is natural resources in one sentence? ›
Natural resources can be defined as the resources that exist (on the planet) independent of human actions. These are the resources that are found in the environment and are developed without the intervention of humans.
What are natural resources described as? ›
Natural resources can be described as either renewable or nonrenewable based on whether they can be replaced in nature after they are used. Wood is an example of a renewable resource. After a tree is harvested, a new tree can be planted to replace it. In contrast, metals are nonrenewable resources.
What is the simple definition of natural resources in economics? ›
Within the context of economics, natural resources are materials and energy that occur naturally and are used in economic activities. Some examples of natural resources include wind, water, food, timber, and minerals. Natural resource economics focuses on the sustainable use of these resources.
