Loodusvarad

Loodusvarad, or natural resources, are materials and energy sources that occur naturally in the environment and are used to meet human needs. They can be categorized as renewable, such as sunlight, wind, water, biomass, forests, and soils, and non-renewable, including minerals, fossil fuels, and extractable metals. Loodusvarad provide energy, raw materials for industry, food, and a range of ecosystem services such as climate regulation, water purification, pollination, soil formation, and recreational value.

Economic activity depends on the availability and management of loodusvarad. Extraction and use create value, but overuse or pollution can degrade resources and ecosystems. Sustainable management seeks to balance present demand with future availability, using concepts such as sustainable yield for renewables, resource efficiency, recycling, and diversification toward renewable energy. Natural capital accounting and environmental impact assessments are tools to quantify stocks, flows, and costs.

Policy and governance frameworks—often at national and regional levels—aim to regulate access, monitor extraction, and mitigate environmental impacts. International cooperation addresses cross-border resources and shared ecosystem services. Challenges include overextraction, habitat loss, pollution, climate change, price volatility, and conflicts over land and water.

Common loodusvarad categories include energy resources (fossil fuels, oil shale, uranium), minerals (metals and construction minerals), water resources, arable land and soils, forests, and biodiversity. Understanding loodusvarad is essential for sustainable development and long-term planning.