resources - a complete overview

8/14/2019 resources - a complete overview

1/35


2/35


3/35

As resources are very useful, we attach someAs resources are very useful, we attach someinformation value to them. Resources help toinformation value to them. Resources help toproduce goods so they have economic value.produce goods so they have economic value.

Natural resources like forests, mountains etc.Natural resources like forests, mountains etc.are considered beautiful so they have aestheticare considered beautiful so they have aestheticvalue. Gifts of nature such as water also have avalue. Gifts of nature such as water also have alegal value because it is our right to consumelegal value because it is our right to consume

them. On the other hand, resources have anthem. On the other hand, resources have anethical value as well because it is our moralethical value as well because it is our moralduty to protect and conserve them for the futureduty to protect and conserve them for the future

generations.generations.


4/35

Resources have three main characteristics: utility, quantity (often in terms ofResources have three main characteristics: utility, quantity (often in terms ofavailability), and use in producing other resources. However, this definition is notavailability), and use in producing other resources. However, this definition is notaccepted by some, for example deep ecologists who believe that non-humanaccepted by some, for example deep ecologists who believe that non-humanelements are independent of human values.elements are independent of human values.

The quantity of a resource refers to the total amount of a given raw material, ratherThe quantity of a resource refers to the total amount of a given raw material, ratherthan reserve which is an economic term.[citation needed] Bottlenecks may form,than reserve which is an economic term.[citation needed] Bottlenecks may form,making some resources unavailable, producing supply shocks. Resource prices aremaking some resources unavailable, producing supply shocks. Resource prices are

prone to increases as speculators add commodity value to a resource or when risk,prone to increases as speculators add commodity value to a resource or when risk,such as from geopolitical issues, are seen as an influencing factor in relation to thesuch as from geopolitical issues, are seen as an influencing factor in relation to thesecurity of resource supply.security of resource supply.

Resources are those things that can be physically combined to produce goods.Resources are those things that can be physically combined to produce goods.


5/35

The value or the importance of the g of natureThe value or the importance of the g of naturedepends upon several factors:depends upon several factors:

The needs of the peopleThe needs of the people

Human needs are not uniform all over the world.Human needs are not uniform all over the world.Over the years, they have grown and become moreOver the years, they have grown and become morecomplexcomplex with the progress of human society. In verywith the progress of human society. In verydeveloped societies, people use a variety of productsdeveloped societies, people use a variety of productswhich are highly processed. On the other hand, inwhich are highly processed. On the other hand, in

developing countries, thedeveloping countries, the consumptionconsumption of processedof processeditems is much less; while primitive communities likeitems is much less; while primitive communities likethethe PygmiesPygmies in Africa hardly use any processed items.in Africa hardly use any processed items.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complexityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complexityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complexity


6/35

The level of technology possessed by theThe level of technology possessed by thepeoplepeople

The level of technology also influences theThe level of technology also influences theutilization of resources. For example, theutilization of resources. For example, thePrairies of North America were inhabited byPrairies of North America were inhabited bythe American Indians who used the Prairies asthe American Indians who used the Prairies ashunting grounds. Later when the Europeanhunting grounds. Later when the Europeansettlers arrived, they used the Prairies forsettlers arrived, they used the Prairies for

agriculture. Today the Prairies are famous foragriculture. Today the Prairies are famous forthe cultivation of wheat and the rearing ofthe cultivation of wheat and the rearing ofanimals on a commercial basis.animals on a commercial basis.


7/35

TimeTime

The value of the resource changes with time . For example,The value of the resource changes with time . For example,water was used by early man purely for his personal needs. Aswater was used by early man purely for his personal needs. As

time went on, water was used by humans for agriculturaltime went on, water was used by humans for agriculturalpurposes namely irrigation. Later, water was also used as apurposes namely irrigation. Later, water was also used as ameans of transportation and humans built boats to travel onmeans of transportation and humans built boats to travel onwater. Nowadays, water is also used to generate electricity.water. Nowadays, water is also used to generate electricity.

According to Walter Youngquist, during periods of economicAccording to Walter Youngquist, during periods of economicgrowth supply demands on a resource will typically rise due togrowth supply demands on a resource will typically rise due toincreasing consumption from not only population growth butincreasing consumption from not only population growth butalso higher living standards and the increased uses found for aalso higher living standards and the increased uses found for a

given resource.[citation needed]given resource.[citation needed]


8/35

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

Natural resources are derived from the environment.Natural resources are derived from the environment.

Many of them are essential for our survival whileMany of them are essential for our survival while

others are used for satisfying our wants. Naturalothers are used for satisfying our wants. Natural

resources may be further classified in different ways.resources may be further classified in different ways.

On the basis of origin, resources may be divided into:On the basis of origin, resources may be divided into:


9/35

* Biotic - Biotic resources are the ones which* Biotic - Biotic resources are the ones whichare obtained from the biosphere. Forests andare obtained from the biosphere. Forests andtheir products, animals, birds and theirtheir products, animals, birds and theirproducts, fish and other marine organisms areproducts, fish and other marine organisms areimportant examples. Minerals such as coal andimportant examples. Minerals such as coal andpetroleum are also included in this categorypetroleum are also included in this category

because they were formed from decayedbecause they were formed from decayedorganic matter.organic matter.

* Abiotic - Abiotic resources comprise of* Abiotic - Abiotic resources comprise ofnon-living things. Examples include land,non-living things. Examples include land,water, air and minerals such as gold, iron,water, air and minerals such as gold, iron,copper, silver etc.copper, silver etc.


10/35

On the basis of the stage of development,On the basis of the stage of development,

natural resources may be called:natural resources may be called:

* Potential Resources - Potential resources* Potential Resources - Potential resources

are those which exist in a region and may beare those which exist in a region and may be

used in the future. For example, mineral oilused in the future. For example, mineral oilmay exist in many parts of India havingmay exist in many parts of India having

sedimentary rocks but till the time it is actuallysedimentary rocks but till the time it is actually

drilled out and put into use, it remains adrilled out and put into use, it remains apotential resource.potential resource.


11/35


12/35

On the basis of renewability, natural resources can beOn the basis of renewability, natural resources can be

categorized into:categorized into:

* Renewable Resources - Renewable resources are the* Renewable Resources - Renewable resources are the

ones which can be replenished or reproduced easily.ones which can be replenished or reproduced easily.

Some of them, like sunlight, air, wind, etc., areSome of them, like sunlight, air, wind, etc., are

continuously available and their quantity is not affectedcontinuously available and their quantity is not affected

by human consumption. Many renewable resources canby human consumption. Many renewable resources can

be depleted by human use, but may also be replenished,be depleted by human use, but may also be replenished,

thus maintaining a flow. Some of these, like agriculturalthus maintaining a flow. Some of these, like agricultural

crops, take a short time for renewal; others, like water,crops, take a short time for renewal; others, like water,take a comparatively longer time, while still others, liketake a comparatively longer time, while still others, like

forests, take even longer.forests, take even longer.


13/35

Non-renewable Resources - Non-renewableNon-renewable Resources - Non-renewable

resources are formed over very long geologicalresources are formed over very long geological

periods. Minerals and fossils are included inperiods. Minerals and fossils are included inthis category. Since their rate of formation isthis category. Since their rate of formation is

extremely slow, they cannot be replenishedextremely slow, they cannot be replenished

once they get depleted. Out of these, theonce they get depleted. Out of these, the

metallic minerals can be re-used by recyclingmetallic minerals can be re-used by recycling

them. But coal and petroleum cannot bethem. But coal and petroleum cannot be

recycled.recycled.


14/35

Human resourcesHuman resources

Human beings are also considered to beHuman beings are also considered to beresources because they have the ability toresources because they have the ability to

change raw materials into valuable resources.change raw materials into valuable resources.

The term Human resources can also be definedThe term Human resources can also be definedas the skills, energies, talents, abilities andas the skills, energies, talents, abilities and

knowledge that are used for theknowledge that are used for the production ofproduction of

goods or the rendering of servicesgoods or the rendering of services


15/35

While taking into account human beings asWhile taking into account human beings as

resources, the following things have to be keptresources, the following things have to be kept

in mind:in mind:

The size of the populationThe size of the population

The capabilities of the individuals in thatThe capabilities of the individuals in that

population.population.


16/35

Process resourcesProcess resources

The following types of resources can execute anThe following types of resources can execute anactivity within a process[1]:activity within a process[1]:

Tangible resource - Conventional resources likeTangible resource - Conventional resources likeplants, equipments, IT infrastructure etc.plants, equipments, IT infrastructure etc.

Intangible resource - Increasingly important resourceIntangible resource - Increasingly important resource

type including brands and patents.type including brands and patents.

Human resource - See above.Human resource - See above.


17/35

Resource use and sustainable developmentResource use and sustainable development

Many resources cannot be consumed in their originalMany resources cannot be consumed in their originalform. They have to be processed in order to changeform. They have to be processed in order to change

them into more usable commodities. This is known asthem into more usable commodities. This is known as

resource development. With the rise in humanresource development. With the rise in human

numbers all over the world, the demand for resourcesnumbers all over the world, the demand for resourceshas also increased. However, there is a difference inhas also increased. However, there is a difference in

distribution of resources to different regions ordistribution of resources to different regions or

countries. Developed countries use more resourcescountries. Developed countries use more resources

than developing countries.than developing countries.


18/35

The rising demand coupled with the over-The rising demand coupled with the over-

consumption of resources has led to severalconsumption of resources has led to several

problems:problems:

* Resource depletion* Resource depletion

* Accumulation of resources in the hands of* Accumulation of resources in the hands of

a fewa few

* Environmental degradation* Environmental degradation

* Tragedy of the commons* Tragedy of the commons

* Resource curse* Resource curse


19/35

In 2005, total worldwide energy consumptionIn 2005, total worldwide energy consumption

was 500 Exajoules (= 5 x 1020 J) with 80-90%was 500 Exajoules (= 5 x 1020 J) with 80-90%

derived from the combustion of fossil fuels.[1]derived from the combustion of fossil fuels.[1]

This is equivalent to an average energyThis is equivalent to an average energy

consumption rate of 16 TW (= 1.6 x 1013 W).consumption rate of 16 TW (= 1.6 x 1013 W).

Not all of the world's economies track theirNot all of the world's economies track their

energy consumption with the same rigor, andenergy consumption with the same rigor, andthe exact energy content of a barrel of oil or athe exact energy content of a barrel of oil or a

ton of coal will vary with quality.ton of coal will vary with quality.


20/35

Most of the world's energy resources are fromMost of the world's energy resources are from

the sun's rays hitting earth - some of thatthe sun's rays hitting earth - some of that

energy has been preserved as fossil energy,energy has been preserved as fossil energy,some is directly or indirectly usable e.g. viasome is directly or indirectly usable e.g. via

wind, hydro or wave power. The termwind, hydro or wave power. The term

solar constantsolar constant is the amount of incoming solaris the amount of incoming solarelectromagnetic radiation per unit area,electromagnetic radiation per unit area,

measured on the outer surface of Earth'smeasured on the outer surface of Earth's

atmosphere, in a plane perpendicular to theatmosphere, in a plane perpendicular to the

rays.rays.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_constanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_constanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_constant


21/35

types of energytypes of energy

* 1.3.1 Hydropower* 1.3.1 Hydropower

* 1.3.2 Biomass and biofuels* 1.3.2 Biomass and biofuels

* 1.3.3 Wind power* 1.3.3 Wind power * 1.3.4 Solar power* 1.3.4 Solar power

* 1.3.5 Geothermal* 1.3.5 Geothermal


22/35

2.1 Fossil fuel2.1 Fossil fuel

* 2.1.1 Coal* 2.1.1 Coal * 2.1.2 Oil* 2.1.2 Oil


23/35

# 2.2 Nuclear power# 2.2 Nuclear power

* 2.2.1 Nuclear fission* 2.2.1 Nuclear fission * 2.2.2 Nuclear fusion* 2.2.2 Nuclear fusion


24/35

* 2.3.1 Solar energy* 2.3.1 Solar energy

* 2.3.2 Wind power* 2.3.2 Wind power

* 2.3.3 Wave and tidal power* 2.3.3 Wave and tidal power * 2.3.4 Geothermal* 2.3.4 Geothermal

* 2.3.5 Biomass* 2.3.5 Biomass

* 2.3.6 Hydropower* 2.3.6 Hydropower


25/35


26/35


27/35


28/35


29/35


30/35


31/35


32/35


33/35


34/35


35/35

Finally, remember this simpleFinally, remember this simple

formulaformula

No resources no lifeNo resources no life

Documents

resources - a complete overview