By depletion, we mean a situation in which the amount of consumption exceeds the amount of replacement. Depletion of resources takes place when the rate at which they are used exceeds the rate at which they can be replaced. The term 'resource depletion' is most frequently applied to fossil fuels, water, fishing, mining, logging and other allied activities. Natural resources that have been used up are worth more than those that are abundant. The destruction of natural resources is being brought on by population growth.
Water, farming, fossil fuels, fishing and mining are merely a handful of the natural resources that are being used up. The global ecological footprint is expected to be 1.5 times the capacity of the planet to sustainably provide each person with the resources necessary to meet their individual consumption needs.
Causes of depletion
Overpopulation
Global population has reached eight billion. The growing population has accelerated natural resource depletion. Population growth requires more resources and conditions. With the burgeoning population, even if everyone lived frugally, natural resources would be depleted. Research shows that developing nations are using more resources to industrialise and support their growing populations. Thus, as population grows, natural resources will become depleted.
Bad farming
Due to overreliance on food production for everyday nutrition, humans are putting a strain on land resources. Poor irrigation procedures cause salinization and alkalization of soil. Damage to the soil structure due to improper management and the use of heavy machinery and farming equipment render the soil unfit for plant growth. Soil damage causes depletion of the good material that grows food. Soil microorganisms that replenish nutrients are killed by use of too many pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. Reckless farming practices lead to soil damage and erosion.
Logging
Population pressure is driving forest clearance for agriculture. Residential complexes and multiplexes are also destroying trees. Deforestation destroys natural habitats, killing countless animals and plants. Forest clearance has endangered or made many plant and animal species extinct. Logging also leads to erosion of soil minerals.
Overuse of natural resources
Since the 1760 Industrial Revolution, mining and oil exploration have increased, depleting natural resources. Technology and research make mineral extraction easier, so humans are digging deeper to locate different ores. Extraction has reduced mineral production. In 20 years, gasoline, copper, and zinc production will decrease.
Due to the rising number of engines that consume petroleum, oil mining increases, accelerating its depletion. The peak oil theory suggests that over-harvesting of petroleum will cause global fuel uncertainty. Petroleum production will fall irreversibly after peaking.
Pollution
The natural environment is harmed by pollution brought on by modern man-made activities and population growth. The air, water, and soil are all polluted by sewage, radioactive substances, dangerous chemicals, and other contaminants. Animals die from pollution, which also ruins the ecology and causes further issues that deplete natural resources. Unchecked emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon dioxide have worsened the ozone layer, warmed the planet, and destroyed habitat. Since their habitats have been destroyed, millions of plant and animal species are on the verge of extinction.
Industrialisation
As more countries develop cutting-edge technology, more companies are ejecting chemical by-products into lakes, oceans, soils, and lands. Organic substances, metals, radioactive elements and harmful pollutants are industrial by-products. These by-products and harmful elements change the aquatic systems and fauna. Acidic lakes, dead zones, and aquatic and wildlife deaths are examples of the damage caused. Research, development, and production require virgin materials. Industrial needs are accelerating resource depletion. Industrial materials and toxic waste production are destroying more habitats, depleting natural resources faster.
Natural Resource Depletion
Water scarcity
Poor farming, deforestation, and pollution lead to destruction of natural water catchment regions, depleting water resources. Deforestation and groundwater poisoning have left two billion people without potable water. Water shortages exacerbate hunger. Two billion children under five have diarrhoea, three million have cholera, and 11 million have typhoid fever due to lack of clean water. Water-related diseases and deaths occur frequently. To avoid more global issues, humans are using water at twice the pace of population growth, requiring strong pressure and solutions.
Oil depletion
Forty per cent of the world's energy use comes from non-renewable oil. Oil has many uses, and technological advances are making it more popular. Human energy demand is rising rapidly, whereas energy production resource replacement is gradual. Depletion of oil will devastate industry, plantation, mining and transportation. Oil depletion causes corporate failures, high living costs in developing nations, and transportation uncertainties. As everyone wants the remaining oil, oil depletion could spark international tensions.
Deforestation
The decrease in forest cover each year totals 18 million acres. The natural forest cover of the earth has been reduced by half, along with the homes of millions of species of animals and plants. Within the previous three decades, deforestation has been responsible for a 12 per cent to 17 per cent increase in the global emission of greenhouse gases. Without trees to soak up carbon dioxide, global warming will only become worse. Erosion of the soil, increased temperatures around the globe, loss of biodiversity, and increased flooding risk are all consequences of deforestation.
Mineral depletion
To feed seven billion people, phosphate, petroleum, copper, and zinc are being mined more extensively. According to the Global Phosphorus Research Institute, phosphorus, a vital plant development element, could run short in 50 to 100 years. According to the USGS, non-renewable resource usage of copper, sand, gravel, and stone is rising. Natural mineral prices rise as demand rises, while economic returns fall. Mineral depletion may exceed global warming in economic terms.
Extinctions
Some species may go extinct due to resource overexploitation and habitat degradation. Habitat loss is a major cause of species extinction. Deforestation destroys forest habitats for thousands of creatures. Overfishing and pollution have also reduced tuna fish populations.
Solutions
Deforestation control
Natural resource depletion could be mitigated with the support of efforts from individuals, governments, and the United Nations. Because of the vital role trees play in protecting biodiversity and water supplies, these initiatives could pave the way for more forest protection. The long-term hazards of environmental deterioration should be highlighted through the implementation of sustainability programmes that encourage people to conserve natural resources.
Conserving oil, minerals and materials
Oil-rich nations, the World Bank, states, and consumables regulators should collaborate to minimise oil and mineral consumption and exploitation. Lean manufacturing (recycling, reuse, and decreasing wastage) can be taught to manufacturers and customers.
More renewable energy exploration and use
Solar and wind power can reduce fossil fuel use and environmental harm, climate change, global warming, and habitat destruction. Technological advances can lessen the usage of natural non-renewable resources by exploring renewable energy sources.
Conserving coasts and wetlands
Marshes that are saturated with groundwater are ideal environments for the growth of plant life. Therefore, coastal and wetland ecosystems are responsible for replenishment of water and provision of minerals and fertilisers to primary farmers, which include green and flowering plants. As a result, the food chain and biodiversity are both preserved. When coastal ecosystems are shielded from the devastation caused by overfishing, it is beneficial for both the coral reefs and the marine species that live there.
Awareness and sensitisation
Everyone has to be educated on the ways in which their routine activities deplete limited natural resources. The goal of raising people's awareness is to motivate them to take steps to protect the environment. The dissemination of knowledge through awareness education may take the form of symposiums, videos, articles, or blog postings.