resource depletion

Using things up

Resource depletion is the exhaustion of natural resources through consumption faster than they can be replenished.

The term applies to finite materials like fossil fuels and minerals, but also to renewable resources like forests and fisheries when harvested unsustainably.

Resource depletion threatens long-term economic stability.

Environmental discussions often pair it with pollution as twin consequences of industrial activity.

environmental

deforestation

Large-scale woodland elimination

overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
biodiversity lossReduction in species variety
habitat destructionEliminating natural living spaces

desertification · soil erosion · overgrazing · overharvesting · coral bleaching · extinction · water crisis · overextraction · forest clearing · ecosystem collapse

extraction

mining

Extracting earth's resources

drillingHole-making by rotation
fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
raw materialsUnprocessed production inputs

reserves · peak oil · oil fields · natural gas · coal mining · quarrying · fracking · strip mining · logging · offshore drilling

sustainability

conservation

Preventing waste or loss

circular economyRegenerative resource management model
recyclingReprocessing used materials
regenerationBiological self-repair process

sustainable harvesting · carrying capacity · stewardship · replenishment · sustainable yield · restoration · reforestation

economic

overconsumption

Excessive use of resources

market demandBuyers' total desired quantity
commoditiesTradeable raw materials
industrializationTransition to factory-based economy

exploitation · economic growth · trade deficit · supply shortage · commodity prices · consumption patterns

resource depletion

deforestation

mining

conservation

overconsumption

resource depletion

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