2. Depletion of natural resources
Currently, the natural resources are on a clear verge of extinction. In this part, we will see the current trends of resources around us and shed light on the real cause for its depletion.
When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money
— Native American-Indian proverb
The depletion of natural resources happens when the resources are extracted and consumed at a higher rate than their replacement. Our consumption rate has increased drastically over the years. This is causing resource depletion because the earth can’t keep up with our overpopulating needs.
The statistics for various resources is as follows:
- As estimated in The Global Energy Review, 2021 Report, only 188.8 million tons of oil is left in the known oil reserves as of 2010 to meet our current demands for the next 46.2 years.[3]
- There are 6,923 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven gas reserves in the world as of 2017. The world has proven reserves equivalent to 52.3 times its annual consumption. This means it has about 52 years of gas left (at current consumption levels and excluding unproven reserves).[4]
- Fish is a major part of our food group and coral reefs are a major part of the ocean. Overfishing and polluting the oceans can lead to extinction of the marine ecosystem.
Hence, resource depletion is an emergency declaring that the natural resources are deteriorating. This tells that scarcity of the resources is nearer and we are running out of our raw material at an unusually faster rate.
The various causes of resources depletion are as follows:
1.Population explosion and overconsumption:
With the rise in human population, the demand for food, water, and other resources also increases. As human population increases there will be an increased necessities for food, water and other resources. More the people on Earth, the more they consume, which leads to even more waste generation.
2.Deforestation/Destruction of ecosystem :
We are dependent on our forests for all our basic raw materials like for furniture, building houses etc. This has not only destroyed trees (and wood as a resource) but resulted in displacement of thousands of species in forest. Because of deforestation, soil erosion takes place making the soil devoid of important minerals and resources.
3.Contamination :
Several types of contaminants cause soil, noise and radiation like pollution. Water pollution, soil pollution is increasing at an alarming rate today due to the negligent attitude of people towards the environment. Pollution has a direct effect on contamination of resources available in nature.
4.Unregulated agricultural practices :
Excessive use of harmful chemicals pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers on the top soil can contaminate the quality of foods we are eating and also cause soil infertility.[5] This is one of the reasons why we lack phosphorus.
5.Technological and industrial development:
Technology advances and so the need for resources increases. Mining of minerals and oil-minerals and metals are in high demand in today’s world. This is a very big problem as ores are being depleted day by day.
The depletion of resources has a significant impact on living organisms and the environment by diminishing the quality of available resources. The various effects of resource depletion are summarized in figure below.
