Natural resources are defined as "stocks of materials that exist in the natural environment that are both scarce and economically useful in production or consumption, either in their raw state or after a minimal amount of processing" (World Trade Organization). Natural resources encompass anything from water, to wood and soil, to minerals, fossil fuels, energy, and more. We use these resources for a variety of purposes such as for creating energy or building homes. Some of these resources are nonrenewable while others are renewable and can be used over and over again.
Currently, there are over 7.5 billion humans living on planet Earth. We have grown and progressed as a species beyond what anyone could have envisioned. Our development, however, has come at a cost. We are using and draining more and more natural resources without much thought about conservation and replenishment or harm to the environment. Forests have been cleared to make room for cities and clean water sources are polluted by fertilizer use. We have dried out soil for agricultural purposes and we pollute the air by emitting carbon dioxide through our daily functions, such as driving a car. Our growth has led to disastrous consequences on nonrenewable natural resources. Only recently have people started to become aware of the impact our collective actions have had on our environment and the negative consequences flowing therefrom.
Figure 1: Nature's Storehouse: Food, soil, forests, water, and minerals and petroleum
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