Our Earth is running out of natural resources and it is high time to go for renewable energy sources!
The natural resources of our planet are exhausting very fast. Each day we use 16 kg of natural resources extracted from earth. If we live in western part of the world, this number goes up to 57 kg.
Most of our goods are manufactured from the natural resources. Human used all their allowed limit of natural resources in 2017 which was available for the whole year. In 2015 and 2016, same rate of depletion was reported.
The main reason of this resource depletion is ever increasing population. Currently the world’s population is increasing at rate of 1.09% and average population increase is around 83 million people per year. Therefore the demand of natural resources is also increasing.
55 billion tons of natural resources are being extracted every year from earth. From fossil energy to biomass to minerals and metals, it makes up almost 10 tons for each person in the world.
Take an example of telephone, it requires 42 different types of minerals like copper, aluminum, gold, copper and iron to make it. A television needs 35 minerals to make and a computer needs more than 35. A newborn which is born, needs 360 kg of lead, 340 kg of zinc, 680 kg of copper, 14,800 kg of iron and 1630 kg of aluminum, for his entire life.
It is expected that production of mined minerals will increase by 250% by 2030 and extraction of biomass will increase by 50% by 2020 which will reach over 80 billion tons.
Most of its production will come from small and medium mining operations mainly in developing countries. These mining operations have environmental hazards which are also going to increase. So our natural ecosystem is unable to adjust itself and is reaching a critical point where recovery will not be possible.
The resources which are declining include natural gas, water, oil, phosphorous, fish, rare elements and coal:
Our planet is made up of 71% of water but fresh water is only 2.5%. According to UN reports, 1.8 billion people would be deprived of drinking water by 2025. This would be due to long drought periods and inefficient production methods.
According to BP statistics, total global oil is estimated at 189 million tons. This oil is enough for 46 years if its production remains at current rate.
Phosphorus is basic element for the growth of plants. Phosphorus rock is available in few countries which include USA, China and Morocco. Scientists have warned that if new reserves are not found, we could completely run out of phosphorus in 100 years.
As more and more countries like China and developing countries are mining for coal, it is feared that coal could run out in 188 years.
It is high time that countries should search for alternate sources like renewable and sustainable energy. These include wind, solar and hydropower. The countries which are rich should decrease the mineral extractions by 90% so that social and environmental stability could be achieved.
Wow Science has gone a long way. But our eatth is just blessed with everything we need.
Amazing post @munawar1235
Wawo, once again great article. :) full of information and some attention towards real issues. Good job. As i said previously, very less people / countries are working towards real issues. Nice examples of cell phone and Tv. :)
Nice natural infomation your post baby .
thanks for shareing
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There's now a filter that can turn seawater into drinkable water. Desalination uses a lot of energy but if it can be done with just a filter, it should make a huge difference. I'd like to see some of the desert areas irrigated. If sea levels are rising, why not use desalinated water for irrigation?