Causes & Solutions of Natural Resource Degradation
Causes and Effects of Overusing Natural Resources
Degradation and unfair use of natural resources is a topic of significant concern for the world. The rising population is taking its toll on scarce resources. You have learned from childhood that clean air and pure water is vital for healthy living. However, with each passing day, we hear about polluted air and polluted water. Apart from this, forests and trees are being cut down. Excessive use of non-renewable resources and deforestation has become evil. Here, we shall study the causes and effects of overusing natural resources and the rising degradation of natural resources due to their improper use.
Let’s travel to the past. The world faced two wars that almost destroyed several nations. Many countries saw the destruction in the aftermath. Rehabilitation and reconstruction was a major task. Rapid economic growth was a way to overcome difficulties. Economic growth was possible only by rapid industrialisation. This effort resulted in the widespread degradation of natural resources. Severe environmental issues became apparent in the year 1960. As you are aware, today, we are also facing new diseases due to environmental degradation.
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Causes of Resource Depletion
The world’s population stands at nearly 7 billion. The needs of the population have seen a substantial increase. When we talk about needs, it refers to water, air, coal, fish, minerals, etc. here, it is essential to note that resources are seeing a depletion. What does depletion mean? Resources are depleted when they are being used faster than it can replenish itself. As mentioned earlier, the exhaustion began with the industrial revolution.
As the world marched towards advancements, people invented many things to make life easier. The demand for raw materials increased faster than imagined. Now, we get these resources from nature. The issue is too much is being put to use and that too carelessly. It is vital to know about the causes of such widespread depletion. Some of the reasons include:
1 - Overpopulation- with the world population almost reaching 7 billion, the demand on Earth’s resources continues to rise.
2 - Over Consumption and wastage- it means there is an excessive and unnecessary use of resources.
3- Deforestation, and the destruction of the ecosystem leading to a loss of biodiversity.
4 - Excessive mining for minerals and oil.
5 - Technological and industrial development.
6 - Widespread erosion.
7 - Pollution and contamination of resources.
Resources that are Facing Depletion
As mentioned earlier, depletion of natural resources occurs when resources are consumed at a faster rate. You must know that natural resources are the resources that are available freely in nature, without any involvement of human action. Resources can be renewable or nonrenewable. Natural resource depletion has a reference to water usage, framing, fossil fuel consumption, mining, and fishing.
1 – Water on Earth is 70%, but only 2.5 % is fresh water. We have a minimal amount to use.
2 – Coal is the most in use of fossil fuel and non-renewable energy sources.
3 – Oil serves global transportation and reserves can meet the next 40 to 50 years.
4 – Natural gas, the known reserves are estimated to last 39 years at the current production rate.
5 - Fish. Fishermen report a decline in their catch. Tuna is close to extinction.
6 – Phosphorus is a mineral resource in use as fertilisers for plants.
Depletion of the Water Table
An excellent example of a water table would be the static depth below the ground of water in a well or bore well. Yet another example of a water table would be the surface of a naturally occurring lake or sea. You may think that our planet has enough water as it had in the beginning. The water is still there, and it gets recycled naturally. It is the reason why there is no scarcity of saline water.
However, fresh water is scarce. The depletion of water means scarcity or lack of sufficient freshwater resources to meet the water demands of the population. Water scarcity affects each continent. It arises due to economic competitions, disputes between users, irreversible depletion of groundwater, and negative impacts on the environment.
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FAQs on Degradation from Improper Use of Natural Resources
1. What is meant by the degradation and improper use of natural resources?
Degradation of natural resources refers to the deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; and the extinction of wildlife. Improper use involves consuming a resource at a rate faster than it can be replenished, leading to its exhaustion and ecological imbalance. It essentially means using resources unsustainably, which harms both the environment and future generations.
2. Can you provide some common examples of the improper use of natural resources?
Certainly. Some common examples of the improper use and degradation of natural resources include:
- Over-extraction of groundwater: Pumping out water from aquifers faster than it can be recharged by rainfall, leading to falling water tables and land subsidence.
- Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture, urbanisation, or timber without adequate reforestation, which results in soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of the water cycle.
- Overfishing: Harvesting fish stocks at a rate that exceeds their capacity to reproduce, causing population collapse and damage to marine ecosystems.
- Excessive mining: Strip mining for minerals often destroys landscapes, pollutes water sources with chemical runoff, and releases harmful dust into the air.
3. What are the primary causes behind the depletion of water resources?
The primary causes for the depletion of water resources are multifaceted and often interlinked. Key factors include:
- Deforestation: Trees play a crucial role in the water cycle by facilitating transpiration and helping soil retain moisture. Cutting them down reduces rainfall and increases surface runoff, preventing groundwater recharge.
- Over-pumping of groundwater: Excessive withdrawal of groundwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic use lowers the water table. In coastal areas, this can lead to saltwater intrusion, contaminating freshwater aquifers.
- Water Pollution: The discharge of untreated industrial waste, agricultural runoff containing pesticides, and domestic sewage into rivers and lakes makes the water unfit for use, effectively reducing the available supply of clean water.
4. How does the degradation of one resource, like forests, impact other resources like soil and water?
Natural resources exist in a delicate, interconnected system. The degradation of one resource often triggers a chain reaction. For example, when forests are cut down (deforestation), the tree roots that hold the soil together are lost. This leads to severe soil erosion during rainfall. The eroded soil, or silt, then washes into rivers and reservoirs, which reduces their water-holding capacity and pollutes the water. Furthermore, the loss of the forest canopy disrupts the local water cycle, often leading to reduced rainfall and depletion of water resources.
5. Why is the increasing human population often cited as a root cause for the rapid degradation of natural resources?
The increasing human population is a primary driver because it intensifies the demand for resources. A larger population requires more food, water, housing, energy, and consumer goods. This leads to:
- Increased pressure on land for agriculture and urbanisation, often at the expense of forests and wetlands.
- Higher consumption of water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural needs, leading to the over-extraction of groundwater and rivers.
- Greater demand for energy, which has historically been met by burning fossil fuels, causing air pollution and climate change.
- A surge in waste generation, which pollutes land, water, and air if not managed properly.
6. Beyond preventing scarcity, why is the sustainable use of natural resources crucial for a country's long-term economic stability?
The sustainable use of natural resources is fundamental to long-term economic stability because economies are ultimately built upon the services provided by the environment. When resources are degraded:
- Economic Sectors Suffer: Industries like agriculture, fishing, forestry, and tourism, which directly depend on healthy ecosystems, face collapse. For instance, soil degradation reduces crop yields, impacting food security and agricultural revenue.
- Increased Costs: Resource scarcity and pollution create significant economic burdens. Water shortages can halt industrial production, while pollution-related health issues increase healthcare costs and reduce workforce productivity.
- Loss of Natural Capital: Natural resources represent a form of "natural capital." Depleting this capital without allowing it to regenerate is akin to a business liquidating its assets, leading to short-term gains but long-term bankruptcy. A stable economy relies on a renewable flow of resources, not a one-time extraction.
7. What are some effective strategies for the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources?
Effective conservation involves a combination of individual actions and policy-level changes, often summarised by the "Three Rs": Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. More specific strategies include:
- Promoting Renewable Energy: Shifting from fossil fuels to solar, wind, and hydro power to reduce pollution and resource depletion.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Using methods like crop rotation, organic farming, and efficient irrigation to protect soil health and conserve water.
- Reforestation and Afforestation: Planting trees to restore degraded lands, improve the water cycle, and absorb carbon dioxide.
- Water Harvesting: Implementing rainwater harvesting and constructing check-dams to recharge groundwater levels.
- Protecting Ecosystems: Establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves to preserve biodiversity and natural habitats.
