Natural resources and sustainability Natural resources are the assets that nature provides us with : water, wind , land , biodiversity, solar radiation , subsoil minerals, etc. We use these resources to meet our basic needs and to enable societies to progress economically. There are dif ferent types of natural resources: Some are abundant and found all over the planet, such as air. Others exist in limited quantities and are located in specific places, such as oil . Some resources are depleted when we use them. Other resources are not depleted , because they are able to regenerate naturally. However, they cannot be consumed at a faster rate than the time they need to recover. Many natural resources are currently overexploited or in decline. This is because they are in great demand due to population growth, development, the search for greater well-being, consumerism in wealthy societies, etc. This is why today's world faces the serious challenge of achieving sustainable development: a balance between economic growth and the conser vation of natural resources. In this way, future generations will also be able to enjoy these natural resources. Some endangered natural resources 1. The exploitation of natural resources Water Water covers over 70 % of the Earth's surface. However, the majority is not suitable for human consumption: – 97.5 % is salt water (in seas and oceans). – 69 % of fresh water is frozen. – 30 % of fresh water is in underground deposits (aquifers) and some of it is too deep to access. Water is unevenly distributed on Earth. The availability of water during the year and from one year to another also varies greatly. The overexploitation and contamination of water depletes aquifers, lakes and the flow of many rivers. By 2025, around 1.8 billion people will suffer severe water shortages. Forests Forests are of great economic interest and are extremely important for the environment: – They provide oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. – They regulate the water cycle. – They enrich soils and protect them from erosion. – They are the habitat of 80 % of species. Since 1990, 420 million hectares have been destroyed worldwide. In addition, less surface area is reforested than is lost each year. Soils Contamination, abusive logging and the use of fertilisers and agricultural pesticides degrade soils. A quarter of the planet is at risk of desertification, that is, of turning into desert. In the last 50 years, deserts have increased at an annual rate of 1 %. It is estimated that desertification will have forced 135 million people to migrate by 2050. Define: natural resource. Explain which problems related to natural resources threaten sustainable development. List all the economic and social uses you can think of for these natural resources: water, forests, soil, wind. K E Y Q U E S T I O N S 1. Stranded boats in the Aral Sea
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