Ten-nen shigen (天然資源)

Definition

Ten-nen shigen, or natural resources, refers to materials and components found in the environment that are valuable for economic production and human consumption. These resources include water, minerals, forests, and fossil fuels, and their availability is crucial for the sustainability of societies. The management and exploitation of these resources can lead to significant environmental impacts, political disputes, and societal challenges as communities navigate the balance between development and preservation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Natural resources are classified into renewable resources, such as solar energy and timber, and non-renewable resources like fossil fuels and minerals.
2. The over-exploitation of natural resources can lead to environmental degradation, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
3. Political conflicts often arise over natural resources, especially in regions where they are scarce or controlled by a few entities, leading to tensions between nations or groups.
4. Societal challenges related to natural resources include inequality in resource distribution, where some communities benefit significantly while others suffer from scarcity.
5. International agreements, like the Paris Agreement, focus on sustainable management of natural resources to combat global issues such as climate change.

Review Questions

• How do natural resources influence political relations between countries?
  • Natural resources can significantly impact political relations between countries by serving as both a source of cooperation and conflict. For example, countries rich in oil may wield considerable power over those that rely on importing energy. Disputes over access to water sources or mineral rights can lead to tensions and even armed conflicts. This dynamic makes the management of natural resources a crucial aspect of international diplomacy.
• Discuss the societal implications of unequal access to natural resources within a country.
  • Unequal access to natural resources can create significant societal implications within a country, leading to disparities in wealth and development. When certain groups or regions control most of the natural resources, it can foster social unrest and economic inequality. Communities lacking access may experience poverty, inadequate services, and limited opportunities for growth, which can destabilize social cohesion and increase tension among different societal groups.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of resource depletion on global environmental sustainability and socio-economic stability.
  • The long-term consequences of resource depletion pose serious threats to global environmental sustainability and socio-economic stability. As natural resources become scarcer due to over-exploitation, ecosystems suffer from degradation, leading to biodiversity loss and climate change impacts. This depletion can also destabilize economies dependent on these resources, causing job losses and increased poverty rates. Consequently, societies face growing challenges in maintaining a balance between resource use and ecological preservation, impacting future generations' ability to thrive.

Related terms

Sustainable Development: A method of using resources that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Resource Depletion: The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished, leading to a decline in its availability.

Ecological Footprint: A measure of how much land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its waste.