Planet Earth has characteristic features, making it the pearl of space. The natural environment and natural resources determine the state of the global economy. In turn, the development and use of unique “gifts” of the environment depend on the socio-economic needs of the population, as well as the natural properties of each region. Worldwide natural resources - land, mineral, water and forest reserves. In addition, the reserves of the World Ocean can be attributed to this category: both flora and fauna, as well as water and the elements contained in it.
Currently, the following types of natural resources are distinguished: inexhaustible and inexhaustible. The latter, in turn, are divided into renewable and non-renewable. Consider these categories in more detail.
An exhaustible natural resource is an energy source that can end in a relatively short period of time. An example is oil, coal, peat, biomass. This category can be divided into two groups. The first includes natural reserves of a non-renewable nature, that is, those whose consumption and use a person cannot replenish. The second group consists of renewable energy sources. This includes resources that a person restores as needed.
In a separate group can be attributed an inexhaustible natural resource. This is a source of energy that a person can use almost endlessly due to its so-called "huge reserves". This type includes the energy of the Sun, space, geothermal and wind energy and others. Such resources are called alternative sources of energy, as humanity hopes that over time they will be able to replace exhaustible resources.
The quantity and quality of world reserves is greatly affected by the environmental situation observed on the planet as a whole. Global problems of our time, such as soil pollution, wastewater discharge, ozone layer depletion, irrational economic activity, reduce the possibilities of using energy sources.
Depending on economic viability, all natural resources can be divided into:
1. Non-productive. This group includes everything that is used by man, but is not produced by him. For example, drinking water, game animals or wild flora.
2. Production. This includes every natural resource produced or grown by man. The results and means of agriculture (fodder plants, fodder and game animals, soil, water used for irrigation), as well as industrial products (metals and alloys, wood, fuel) have a similar quality.
In addition, there is a classification of natural resources according to their economic value. Distinguish between balance and off-balance minerals. Among the first are reserves that are currently in use. Their development is economically viable and expedient. The second, on the contrary, require the investment of additional funds, since they are located in difficult areas for mining, require special processing conditions and have a relatively small number of deposits.
