Natural Resources

Natural resources are any resources found in the earth that are formed without human interference. Resources can be renewable or non-renewable. Non-renewable resources are not necessarily non-renewable, however, materials such as oil, precious minerals and gems take too long to develop naturally to be considered renewable. Renewable resources include animals and plants, water, wind and solar energy.¹ Pollution, unsustainable development and high population levels are all considered to be threats to the conservation of natural resources.² China’s natural resources are estimated to be worth $23 trillion in total, the majority of which being coal and precious earth metals. Saudi Arabia alone is home to 20 percent of the world’s crude oil resources, and the sixth biggest natural gas reserve.³ Canada has the third largest supply of natural resources, worth $33.2 trillion. In India, mining accounts for 11 percent of the industrial GDP, with a net worth of over $104.6 billion.⁴ Brazil has the most renewable freshwater resources in the world, with 8,233 cubic kilometers. Russia is in second with 4,508 cubic kilometers. The United States falls in third, with 3,069 cubic kilometers. Canada is fourth, with 2,902 kilometers.⁵ Russia has the largest number of trees — 642 billion — followed by Canada, with 318 billion trees, then Brazil, with 302 billion.⁶ The UN Sustainable Development Goals is aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions 15-20 percent by 2050, as well as reduce natural resource consumption by 26 percent.⁷