There is numerous importance of natural resources and we’ve carefully listed a number of them here with clear explanation. You can convert this to a PDF format that can be downloaded on your mobile phone or laptop and can be accessed anytime.
We had said earlier in another article on natural resource classification; that natural resources are necessary for the survival and sustenance of life on earth. Imagine the earth bare. Or rather coming into our planet and finding nothing. No air, water, soil, rocks, plants, animals, sun, wind, oceans, minerals, trees, forests, etc.
What could man have done? Where could man have started creating these things from? This is how important these resources are. They form the basis for the further development of other resources and services. In reality, there is no country without natural resources. Resources can be owned individually by countries or shared among countries.
Natural resources such as coal, crude oil, rubber, certain floral and fauna species, minerals are indigenous to countries where they are found. They cannot be shared among neighboring countries.
However, resources such as air are shared because the activities in a country can affect the air quality of a neighboring country.
In as much as natural resources are important and form the basis for further development, they have to be managed for maximum benefits. Although difficult to believe, it is a fact that the wealth and development of an area do not lie in the abundance of her resources. Rather, the ability of her citizens to harness and properly manage her resources.
This is clear in developing and developed countries. Most developing countries such as Nigeria and Congo are very rich in natural resources. Yet, on the other hand, countries such as Singapore are said to be impoverished in natural resources, yet the country is developed.
Furthermore, countries such as Saudi Arabia have successfully developed themselves through their natural resources.
To understand the subject matter better, you should care to learn about the classification of natural resources under which every natural resource both known and unknown are classified.
Let us look at some of the numerous awesome benefits of natural resources.
Table of Contents
10 Importance of Natural Resources
Here is a list of the top 10 importance of natural resources:
- Natural Capital
- Energy Supply
- Food
- Raw Materials for Industries
- Medical Value
- The basis for Further Scientific Studies
- Shelter
- Employment Opportunities
- National Development
- Ecosystem Services
Natural Capital
The term ‘natural capital’ was first used in 1973 by E.F. Schumacher in his book titled Small Is Beautiful, and was developed further by Herman Daly, Robert Costanza, and other founders of the science of ecological economics.
According to the World Forum on Natural Capital, natural capital is the world’s stock of natural resources. They are assets such as soils, waters, air, and all living organisms.
They are assets that provide us with free materials and essential services. Provision of natural capital is one of the importance of natural resources.
Source of Energy
Source of Food
Source of Raw Materials for Industries
Medicinal Value
Herbs are used in their raw or modified forms in the medical field to cure ailments and diseases, over 80 percent of the world’s population depends on plants for medicine.
Also Read: Top 12 Most Endangered Animals in Africa
Serves as Basis for Further Scientific Studies
Shelter
Provision of shelter is one of the most popular importance of natural resources, nearly standing structures today couldn’t have been built without natural resources, while there are also many structures built completely out of natural resources.
Employment Opportunities
Stages involved in the development of natural resources from raw form to finished products account for well over 80 percent of the total workforce in the world.
National Development
Ecosystem Services
Conclusion
In this article we have listed the most popular importance of natural resources, however, there are other importances of natural resources not listed in this article, maybe we talk about them in the next article, click the bell at the bottom right side of your screen to get notified then.
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