Natural Resources: Definition, Importance, and Uses. Definition Of Natural Resources And How It Is Important In Human Life.
- Introduction to Natural Resources
Natural resources are substances on the planet used to sustain life and to meet human needs. Any natural product that people consume might be categorized as an organic substance. Resources such as stone, sand, metals, oil, coal, and natural gas can be considered natural resources. Even sunlight, air, water, soil, plants, animals, and birds are all examples of natural resources.
There is a connection between produced goods and natural resources. Despite not being natural resources, manufactured goods like plastics, metal sheets, electricity, textiles, concrete, and microchips are unquestionably produced from natural resources.
Essentially, we refer to these resources as “natural” because they are items that human society consumes but were made without human involvement. What constitutes a “resource” or a “natural” has changed over time and among different societies. Natural resources are materials and substances that occur naturally on Earth. Fossil fuels, for instance, took millions of years to form.
Natural resources are used to make food, fuel and raw materials for the production of goods. All of the food that people eat comes from plants or animals. Natural resources such as coal, natural gas and oil provide heat, light and power.
Everything material in our culture ultimately comes from natural resources. For example, Coal, Oil, Soil, Water, Land, Minerals, Forests and Timber, and Air we breathe. The role natural resources has on earth is imperative indeed. That is why it’s so important for us to all have some accountability and why we need to protect and respect our environment.
Here are few reasons listed below which will through light regarding the importance of natural resources and the need to conserve them:
- Nature helps to maintain the environmental balance and satisfy the needs to the fullest.
- A wide range of industrial material and biological material from plant and animal, directly or indirectly are used in production and in the manufacturing of medicine.
- Resource are known as capital converted to commodity inputs to infrastructural capital processes.
Natural resources play an important role in our lives. They are essential to the world’s economic, social and environmental well-being. We rely on natural resources for food, water, fuel, and much more. But beyond their daily utility, natural resources play a significant role in keeping the environment healthy and sustainable. This article will explore the importance of natural resources and their value in our lives.
- Importance of Natural Resources
The following are some reasons why natural resources are so important in our lives.
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
Humans have utilized natural resources since they transitioned from a hunting and foraging lifestyle to one based on agriculture. In reality, agriculture cannot exist without natural resources. Plants, animals, trees, soil, water, fuel, energy, and a variety of other natural resources are all required for agriculture, as well as for building agricultural equipment.
The quality of natural resources is also important for agriculture. For example, agricultural land with poor soil quality or too much dryness will not yield as much as one with ideal conditions. This is why preserving and protecting natural resources is so crucial for the future of agriculture.
Due to farming’s strong dependence on natural resources, there has been a movement in recent years to make agriculture more sustainable. To accomplish this, less intensive farming practices can be used that do not deplete natural resources such as soil and plants.
- Natural Resources Importance in Employment
There are several reasons why natural resources are important to employment.
Agriculture, manufacturing, and energy production all rely heavily on natural resources. The availability of natural resources directly affects employment in these sectors.
There are many industries that can benefit from the use of natural resources. For example, construction companies need sand, rock, and wood to build houses and roads, factories need minerals and metals to produce goods, and agricultural companies need land to plant crops.
Natural resources can also be tourism attractions, which support employment in the hospitality industry.
For example, in the United States and Canada, people come from around the world to see Niagara Falls; this creates jobs for tour guides, hotel workers, and restaurant staff.
Responsibly managing natural resources can create employment through activities like conservation and reforestation. Moreover, recreational activities such as camping, hiking, and fishing depend on natural resources such as forests, lakes, and rivers.
- Natural Resources and Wealth
Wealth comes not only in the form of money but also in the form of natural resources. The majority of nations’ “wealth” is made up of natural resources. They are extremely valuable resources.
A country rich in natural resources is effectively wealthy, as these resources can be converted into financial capital.
Because emerging nations need more and more energy, countries with abundant natural resources, particularly non-renewable resources, see their worth increase.
Due to their diminishing supply and increased market demand, non-renewable natural resources now have a higher value.
As a result, many nations rely on these resources to sustain their economies; This is evident because many of the world’s wealthiest countries also have abundant natural resources.
- Natural Resources and Solar Power
Natural resources play an important role in solar power. Solar panels depend on sunlight to generate electricity; without the sun, there would be no solar power.
The fact that solar energy is a renewable natural resource is a huge benefit. For another 5 billion years, an endless supply of sunlight will be available to us. A single hour of sunlight supplies enough electricity for every human on Earth for an entire year.
- Natural Resources and Air
Air is one of the most important natural resources on Earth. Not only does it provide us with the oxygen we need to breathe, but it also influences our climate and weather. The air is made up of a mixture of gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and also water vapor.
It is a vital part of the water cycle and oxygen cycle. Without air, there would be no life on Earth. It is essential for all plants and animals to thrive. Even though we cannot see it or touch it, the air is one of the most important things in our world.
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- Natural Resources and Energy
The world today runs on energy. Natural resources such as wind, water, tides, geothermal heat, solar radiation, fossil fuels, petroleum, and many others are used to generate energy.
It powers our homes, our businesses and industries, and our transportation. Fossil fuels like coal and oil have been the traditional sources of energy for centuries. But they’re not renewable, which means they’ll eventually run out.
Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro are becoming increasingly important as we look for ways to reduce pollution and build a more sustainable future.
All energy sources have pros and cons, but it’s important to remember that we need all of them to keep the world running smoothly.
- Natural Resources and Industries
Natural resources are important for industries because they provide the raw materials needed to produce products. Without these resources, industries would not be able to function.
For example, the oil and gas industry relies heavily on natural resources such as crude oil and natural gas. These materials are used to power vehicles and other machinery.
These resources are essential for industries that extract resources, such as forestry, fishing, and mining.
Also, access to natural resources can be a significant factor in the location of industries. For example, many mining companies choose to set up operations in areas with large deposits of minerals or oil.
This way, transport costs can be reduced, and raw materials can be more easily accessed. When industries can extract and process raw materials efficiently, they can produce more goods or services at lower costs.
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