Life on Earth depends on the availability of the world’s natural resources, which includes water, energy, materials, and fertile land. However, the human population is growing at an overwhelmingly rapid rate, also increasing the rate at which these resources are consumed.
The climate is changing; freshwater reserves and our forests are diminishing; there are only a few land areas that remain fertile and different animal and plant species are threatened to extinction. If we want life to continue on this planet, we need to change our lifestyles and do what we can to preserve our natural resources.
The Issues with Natural Resources Depletion
Everything found in nature that can be turned into a product for consumption is a natural resource. The modern technology can do so much in the name of convenience but it is incapable of making trees. However, technology can modify these resources and as it is trying to take over the world, the rate at which these resources are depleted has increased dramatically.
It is important to understand that not all the resources found in nature are unlimited. But somehow, its depletion is inevitable due to the lifestyle we lead. Increasing demands due to population explosion, human greed, and neglect all lead to the loss of these precious gifts of nature.
Below are some of the common problems concerning our natural resources:
The quality of land worldwide is not as pure as it was a hundred years ago. Forests have been cleared out and have been replaced with agricultural lands and residential lots. Vast agricultural lands deplete more nutrients in oil much faster than the rate at which they are replaced. Fertile lands are decreasing, while consumption and demand continue to rise.
Our waters today are polluted as a result of waste products coming from industrial sites. Water pollution brings on several negative consequences. One is forcing the closure of beaches due to poor quality of water. Another is that fish may become unsafe for consumption. The potable water in your area could be contaminated with harmful microorganisms that can cause serious health problems.
The ocean is also at stake especially with the growing problems of global warming. The ability of the ocean to replenish fish population cannot keep up with the rate of consumption. On top of that, the climate change has also affected productivity of marine life.
The lush forests are threatened with continued deforestation to satisfy the economic needs of many nations. Biodiversity is greatly affected as the consequences are suffered by species that thrive in the forest, which could eventually lead to their extinction.
One Planet to Save
The human population takes up 30% of the Earth’s resources and our planet may not seem to keep up with the high demand. This leads to deforestation, polluted air and water, degraded soils, and the dramatic decrease of different plant and animal species. The problem intensifies as the human population and rate of consumption continue to increase and. If nothing changes, it is likely that this only one planet we have may not be able to sustain life.
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