Question

Give two examples of Natural Resources.

Answer 1

Hint: Natural resources are generally defined as substances that exist naturally on earth. They are used to support life and meet people’s needs. Based on availability, there are two kinds of natural resources— renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are naturally replenished and thus have the advantage of unlimited supply over a long period. Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, have a limited supply and take a very long time to replenish.

Complete answer:Examples of renewable resources include air, water, wind, forests, sunlight, etc. Although they can be replenished at about the same rate at which they are used, if not managed properly, they can be depleted like deforestation and pollution. Examples of non-renewable resources include fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas, mineral ores, etc. If they are not used sustainably, they will be used up due to over-mining and will take millions of years to replenish. The five most important natural resources are— air, water, soil, iron and forests.

Note: Extracting, processing and using natural resources can cause environmental problems such as air, land and water pollution; disruption or destruction of ecosystems; and a decrease in biodiversity. Due to increase in population and subsequent overpopulation, there is enormous pressure on the already depleting natural resources. Thus, measures of sustainable development have to be implemented so that the needs of the present can be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.