Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment and can be used for economic gain or to meet human needs.

Renewable Resources

Natural resources that are replenished naturally over time, making them sustainable if managed properly.

Examples of Renewable Resources

Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Hydropower, Geothermal Energy, Biomass, Forests, and Water.

Non-Renewable Resources

Resources that exist in finite quantities or are replenished at such a slow rate that they are considered finite.

Fossil Fuels

Natural resources including coal, oil, and natural gas formed over millions of years, and contribute to environmental issues.

Critical Resources

Resources essential to modern economies that face potential supply risks due to their scarcity or geographical distribution.

Potentially Renewable Resources

Resources that are sustainable depending on management practices, such as fisheries and soil.

Flow Resources

Resources that are naturally abundant and must be used as they occur, like sunlight and wind.

Stock Resources

Resources that exist in fixed quantities and are used over time, including oil and mineral deposits.

Resource Efficiency

Improving efficiency in resource use in production processes to reduce input while maximizing output.

Circular Economy

A model promoting reuse, recycling, and repurposing of materials to minimize waste.

Sustainable Forestry

Practicing methods like selective logging and reforestation to maintain forest ecosystems.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A formal process to predict environmental consequences of proposed projects to ensure sustainable resource management.

Energy Security

A country’s ability to secure an adequate and reliable supply of energy at affordable prices.

Water Scarcity

A situation where water availability is insufficient to meet the demands of the population.

Desalination

A process that removes salt from seawater to produce freshwater.

Virtual Water

The total volume of water used in the production and trade of goods and services.

Sustainable Mining Practices

Methods of extraction that minimize environmental damage and promote responsible use of resources.

Recycling and Reuse

Recovering materials from used products to reduce the need for new extraction.

Substitution in Resource Use

Replacing scarce or harmful resources with more sustainable or abundant alternatives, such as using renewable energy.