Why is the sustainability of natural resources important
Why natural resource use matters?
why managing our natural resources
matters
wata land soils food air minerals and
metals our whole civilization relies on
them to survive and yet strong growth in
the population from 7 billions a day to
up to 9 billion by 2050 means increasing
demand is depleting these vital
resources there is potential for serious
cassity's in the years ahead
if current practices continue water
scarcity and contamination
desertification air pollution loss of
biodiversity and land degradation will
be more critical in the years ahead
all of these eventually have an impact
on human health
it's hard to find the balance forests
for example are the habitat for 77% of
globally threatened birds the trade in
their timber and other forest products
is estimated at 330 billion US dollars a
year
however ecotourism generates 77 billion
US dollars in the same period and 60
million indigenous people depend on
these forests which also contribute to
the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people
worldwide
ioann may can see the impact resource
use is having on the environment around
them they worry about what will happen
to their communities when the resources
are gone and what will happen to the
world in the near future
if this keeps going they can see how the
current use and management of natural
resources is affecting the environment
around them changing ecosystems and
impacting biodiversity therefore they
understand the need for audience change
and the importance of groups such as the
International resource panel hosted by
the United Nations Environment Program
the IRP is made up of eminent scientists
who study the global trends of natural
resource use the socio-economic and
environmental impacts of these trends
and the opportunities we have for a more
sustainable future
they try to answer the world's most
critical resource questions in order to
develop practical solutions for
government policymakers industry and
society because we are using more
resources than the planet can provide or
replenish the IRP is aim is to stealth
away from overconsumption damaging
production waste and eka logical ham to
a more prosperous and sustainable future
IO and May are relieved they are glad
that the IRP is around to support
governments industries and society as
the work to find a balance between
economic growth and the well-being of
the planet breaking the link between
natural resource use and harmful
environmental impacts they are also
happy to see those in their community
receive a sustainable source of income
and that the well-being of their
families is ensured want to learn more
about the international resource panel
visit www.un.org/webcast
