What is Meant by Inexhaustible Natural Resources?

The resources which are present in unlimited quantity in nature and are not likely to be exhausted by human activities are Inexhaustible natural resources. Examples of inexhaustible natural resources are: sunlight, air, wind.

An inexhaustible resource is a resource that never runs out or is exhausted. Some of these resources include wind, sun, solar energy, tides, and geothermal energy. They are mostly the naturally occurring resources, so they reappear naturally. These resources can be regenerated and used efficiently. The resources are available worldwide and easily accessible.

Wind, solar, and hydropower provide energy from sunlight, air movement, and evaporation (in the form of water that rises from the ocean, falls onto land, enters rivers, and then flows through the turbines in dams).

These processes will continue as long as there is weather on planet earth, so energy can be extracted from them forever. Energy obtained from geothermal energy is also practically inexhaustible because it uses the heat from the planet’s core. Inexhaustible energy sources differ from renewable energy sources in that they are never consumed.

Examples of Inexhaustible Resources

• Solar: Solar energy is generated by the sun. It is continuously produced by the sun, which shows no signs of fatigue. It is one of the natural resources that has been exploited since the dawn of time, although it seems to be underexploited. Solar energy can never be exhausted, no matter how we use it. Solar energy is generated until the sun ceases to exist.
• Wind: When there is a difference in atmospheric pressure, air moves from the high pressure area to the low pressure area, causing the wind to blow. Wind is essentially a massive, voluminous movement of air. We cannot exhaust the air, according to all theoretical evidence.
• Water: This is a basic requirement for all living things. It is estimated to cover over 70% of the earth’s surface and is found in rivers, oceans and seas, among other places. It is also not exhaustible because the quantity remains constant. It is recycled for reuse in a variety of ways when used.
• Geothermal energy: This energy is obtained from the heat produced by the earth’s core. Only when there is no earth will this energy disappear.
• Ocean Waves and Tides: A body of water that produces waves and tides is called an ocean. Tides are caused by the earth’s movement and the moon’s gravity, while waves are caused by wind blowing across the ocean. They are not used nearly as much as other resources and cannot be depleted.
• Atmosphere: This refers to the gaseous layers that surround planets. Earth’s atmosphere blocks potentially harmful sun rays from reaching the planet. It doesn’t appear to be depletable, but its quality may degrade.

Difference between Exhaustible resources and Inexhaustible resources

So far we learn what is an exhaustible resource and what is an inexhaustible resource. Let’s summaries each of them.