7.1 Natural Resources: Uses and Management

How does the renewability of natural capital have implications for its sustainable use?
How might societies reconcile competing perspectives on natural resource use?
To what extent can human societies use natural resources sustainably?

Natural resources are defined as raw materials and sources of energy utilized and consumed by society.
Natural capital refers to the stock of natural resources available on Earth, which includes diverse forms of natural income in the shape of goods and services.
These terms, “natural capital” and “natural income,” reflect a specific viewpoint on our interactions with nature.
Ecosystems actively provide life-supporting ecosystem services.
All natural resources are finite, and they can be classified into two main categories: renewable and non-renewable resources.

Natural capital holds various values, including:
- Aesthetic
- Cultural
- Economic
- Environmental
- Health
- Intrinsic
- Social
- Spiritual
- Technological
The value of natural capital is dynamic, potentially changing over time based on numerous factors, including environmental conditions and societal perspectives.
The sustainable use of natural capital requires careful management.

Resource security reflects society’s ability to ensure the long-term availability of sufficient natural resources to meet demand.
Choices made by societies regarding natural resources are influenced by a range of factors and represent diverse perspectives.

Various management and intervention strategies can influence society’s use of natural capital:
- Adhering to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which reflect a framework for all countries to engage in natural resource management partnerships.
- Conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to address sustainable resource management in development projects. Different regions may have varying standards regarding EIAs.
- Publicizing EIAs invites local citizen involvement as stakeholders in decision-making processes.
Even renewable resources may be exploited unsustainably through their extraction, transportation, and processing.

Economic interests often favor short-term production and consumption strategies, leading to neglect of long-term sustainability.
Natural resource insecurity can impede socio-economic development and precipitate environmental degradation, geopolitical tensions, and conflicts.
To achieve resource security, reductions in demand, increases in supply, and shifts in technologies are necessary.
Globalization can increase supply, thereby promoting interdependence among nations, but it may also compromise national resource security.

Natural resources encompass any natural substance that offers various applications and is valued differently. Categories include:
Renewable natural capital:
- Can be regenerated or replaced (e.g., forests, fish stocks).
- Can be depleted if harvested unsustainably (more is extracted than can be naturally replenished).
- Examples include living species, ecosystems harnessing solar energy, and non-living resources like groundwater.
Non-renewable natural capital:
- Exists in finite quantities and is not renewed post-extraction on a human timescale (e.g., mineral ores, fossil fuels).

Supporting Services:
- Fundamental processes enabling ecosystem functioning, including soil formation and nutrient cycling (e.g. photosynthesis, water cycling).
Regulating Services:
- Natural processes maintaining ecosystem functionality, including climate regulation, pollination, and flood control.
Cultural Services:
- Non-material benefits derived from nature, influencing cultural advancement and aesthetic appreciation.
Provisioning Services:
- Tangible benefits extracted from nature, such as food, medicine, and raw materials.

Vegetation supports life and serves human needs through various roles:
- Water Replenishment: Vegetation contributes to the hydrological cycle, aiding the replenishment of aquifers and regulating water flows.
- Pollution Mitigation: Plants help purify air and water, contribute to carbon sequestration, and reduce flooding risks.

Value Determination: Different stakeholders may value natural resources based on various criteria:
- Use-valuation: Assigning monetary value to natural capital, relatable to marketable goods.
- Non-use valuation: Intangible worth of resources difficult to price (e.g., intrinsic rights).
The ethical implications of evaluating natural capital raise questions about sustainability and exploitation potential.

Globalization is defined as the interconnectedness among all societies, primarily through economic channels, affecting resource distribution and cultural exchange.
Historical trade routes reveal that globalization is not a recent phenomenon but has evolved alongside human advancement.
Multinational corporations dominate global trade, emphasizing the impact of globalization on local economies and development decisions.

EIAs are vital in evaluating the potential environmental, economic, and societal impacts of proposed projects, ensuring informed decision-making.
The origins of EIAs trace back to the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in the USA, prioritizing environmental consideration in land-use planning.

This comprehensive examination of natural resources covers their classifications, valuation complexities, sustainable use strategies, and management implications, underscoring the intricate balance necessary to navigate ecological stewardship and economic demands.