Natural resource is an important component of the modern world

The planet Earth has its own characteristics, which makes it the pearl of the cosmos. The natural environment and natural resources determine the state of the world 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. Natural resource of the world scale - land, mineral, water and forest resources. In addition, to this category can also be attributed reserves of the World Ocean: both flora and fauna, and water and the elements contained in it.

Currently, the following types of natural resources are allocated: inexhaustible and exhaustible. The latter, in turn, are divided into renewable and non-renewable. Let's consider these categories in more detail.

An exhausted natural resource is a source of energy that can end in a relatively short period of time. Examples include oil, coal, peat, and biomass. This category can be divided into two groups. The first include natural reserves of non-renewable nature, that is, those whose consumption and use a person can not make up for. 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. It is a source of energy that a person can use almost indefinitely in view of his so-called "huge reserves". To this kind the energy of the Sun, space, geothermal and wind power and others are reckoned. Such resources are called alternative energy sources, because humanity hopes that eventually they will be able to replace exhaustible resources.

The quantity and quality of the world's reserves is greatly influenced by the ecological situation observed on the planet as a whole. Global problems of the present, such as soil pollution, waste water discharge, ozone depletion, irrational economic activity, reduce the use of 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 not produced by him. For example, drinking water, commercial 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 commercial 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 by their economic significance. There are balance and off-balance minerals. The first ones can be attributed to the reserves that are currently used. Their development is economically viable and expedient. The second, on the contrary, requires additional investment, because they are in difficult areas for extraction, require special processing conditions and have a relatively small number of deposits.