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Natural resources fall under the following main categories:
Renewable Resources: These are natural resources that can be regenerated over time through natural
processes. They are continually available or can be replaced as they are used, making them sustainable for
long-term use.
Some renewable resources are as follows:
Water: Freshwater constitutes only about 2.5% of Earth’s water. It is crucial for various uses, including
generating electricity from rivers and harnessing tidal energy from seas and oceans.
Solar Energy: Solar energy, derived from the Sun, can be converted into electricity for various applications,
including calculators, street lamps, room heaters and water heaters.
Wind: Wind energy is the power harnessed from the force of the wind and can be used for activities such as
grinding grain and pumping water. It can also be converted into electricity.
Biomass: Energy from biomass comes from plant and animal waste. This renewable energy source can be
used for cooking, heating and generating electricity.
Soil: It provides essential nutrients for plant growth and serves as a foundation for shelter. However, soil
quality can be compromised by harmful chemicals, land pollution, construction and deforestation.
Forests: These are vital for ecological balance, offering clean air, supporting rain cloud formation and
providing wood, fruits and medicinal plants.
Non-renewable resources: These are finite natural materials that cannot be regenerated on a human
timescale once depleted. They form over millions of years and include fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas)
and minerals (iron, copper and gold). Their exhaustion due to overuse raises concerns about long-term
sustainability and environmental impact.
Some non-renewable resources are as follows:
Coal: This is an affordable and widely used fuel, essential for generating electricity in power plants, heating
homes and industrial processes.
Petroleum: This includes petrol, diesel and mineral oils, which are crucial for powering vehicles, running
industrial furnaces and generating electricity in power stations.
LPG: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is derived from petroleum and is used for cooking and as a fuel for
vehicles.
Natural Gas: Formed from decomposed organic matter buried under water bodies, natural gas is found
above oil in wells. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is utilised for vehicle fuel.
Nuclear Energy: Generated in nuclear power plants, nuclear energy is a significant source of electricity
globally but poses risks of severe accidents.
Minerals: Earth’s minerals, such as gold, bauxite, mica and iron ore, are depleting due to extensive mining,
which also causes environmental damage.
Inexhaustible Resources: These are resources that are naturally abundant and cannot be depleted by
human use. Examples include solar energy, wind power and tidal energy. They are continuously regenerated,
or their availability remains stable over time.
Exhaustible Resources: These are resources available in finite quantities that can be depleted with continued
use. Examples include fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, as well as certain minerals. Once consumed,
these resources do not replenish quickly, leading to eventual scarcity if usage continues at a high rate.
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