Natural Resources and Sustainable Development

_{^{Natural Resources: Essentials for Human Needs}}

_{^{Humans rely on nature for resources, categorized as:}}

• _{^{Non-renewable: Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas).}}
• _{^{Renewable: Solar, wind, tides.}}
• _{^{Potentially Renewable: Fresh water, arable land, forests, fisheries.}}

_{^{Depletion of resources stems from:}}

1. _{^{Disproportionate population growth and fossil fuel dependence.}}
2. _{^{Excessive use of potentially renewable resources (e.g., overconsumption of water, intensive farming, deforestation).}}

_{^{Countermeasures:}}

• _{^{Global: Renewable energy, organic farming, aquaculture, environmental education, protected ecosystems.}}
• _{^{Individual: Resource efficiency (fuel, water, electricity).}}

_{^{Growth vs. Development}}

_{^{Economic growth doesn't always equate to development. Western economic systems have led to resource overexploitation and environmental crises. The Club of Rome proposes measures for change. Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations, based on:}}

• _^Recycling
• _{^{Renewable energies}}
• _{^{Population growth control}}
• _{^Biodiversity}

_{^{Environmental Impact}}

_{^{Human activities modify the environment. Impacts include:}}

_{^{Atmosphere: Greenhouse effect, acid rain, ozone depletion, smog, noise pollution.}}

_{^{Hydrosphere: Water pollution, aquifer depletion, reduced river flow.}}

_{^{Earth's Surface: Landscape alteration, deforestation, desertification, soil loss, waste disposal.}}

_{^{Biosphere: Species extinction, biodiversity loss, pest proliferation.}}

_{^{Environmental protection laws and impact assessments are crucial.}}