Nature depletion

Nature depletion is one of the three threats to Environmental sustainability. Nature depletion is the depletion of any source that is needed for life on earth. Including plant, animals, minerals and other things that humans as well as any other life on earth needs to survive. Only human kind is depleting these resources and it is affecting the whole planet with massive impacts. Nature depletion happens when the consumption of a source happens faster that it can be replenished. These Nature resources can be divided by renewable and non-renewable. Renewable are for instance plants and animals and non-renewable are for instance fossil fuels and metals.

Causes of nature depletion

• Hunting
• Deforestation
• Depleting aquifers
• Mining fossil fuels and minerals
• Soil erosion/degradation
• Excessive use of a resource
• Slash-and-burn agriculture

Effects of nature depletion

• Loss of Biodiversity
• Disrupting Ecosystems
• Water stress
• No Food security

What should be improved to reduce or stop resource depletion?

Resource efficiency means using the Earth's limited resources in a sustainable manner while minimizing impact on the environment. It allows us to create more with less and to deliver greater value with less input.

There are the ways resource efficiency can be accomplished?

• Material efficiency, focus areas:
  • Eco-design
  • Circularity
  • Foodwaste
• Energy efficiency
• Water efficiency

Type of Materials where resource efficiency can be reached?

• Material sources
  • Plants used for materials like vegetables, fruits, flowers, wood, resin, latex are obtained from plants and trees.
  • Animals used for materials like animal skins, meat, bones, raw milk, wool.
  • Earth used for materials like minerals, metals, rocks, crude oil, coal, water.
• Raw materials
  • Same or not the same as production materials, examples: Petroleum, Silk, Leather, ...
• Production Materials - components, subassemblies, parts, other supplies and any industrial services required for the manufacturing of Finished Goods and Shippers.
• Finished Goods - Finished goods are products that have completed all aspects of the production process, and which are being held for sale. A finished good can consist of one or more parts:
  • Durable: have a life span of over three(?) years and are used repeatedly over time. E.g. Fridge, TV, Bike, Chair, Phone, Brush.
  • Disposable: a product designed for a single use after which it is recycled or is disposed as solid waste. E.g. Wipes, Diapes, Toilet paper.
  • Consumable: Can be used only once, examples are food and detergents. E.g. Toothpaste, Soup, Detergent
  • Packaging: Used to transport use the durable, disposable or consumable. E.g. tube, bottle, carton
• Handling Units - used for shipping, storing and displaying other material types.
  • Cases/cartons/trays /...
  • Displays
  • Dolly's & Pallets