Resource depletion is the consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished. Natural resources are commonly divided between renewable resources and non-renewable

Most people use the term resource depletion while referring to farming, mining , water and consumption of fossil fuel.

The resources that are mostly depleted include but not limited to

Water,  fresh water on Water. Freshwater only makes 2.5% of the total volume of the world's water, which is about 35 million km3. And the causes of water depletion are increased irrigation, increased use in agriculture, roads and infrastructure prevent water seepage in the soil, rising temperatures. This in the long run will reduce on the water that is available for use leading to Drinking water shortage. Food Shortage. Famine.

Oil. Nothing can be moved, manufactured, transported, built, planted, mined or harvested without the liquid fuels that we get from petroleum.Oil reserves are a non-renewable resource, Oil accounts for 40% of all energy we use.  EIA's International Energy Outlook 2013 shows that we have enough Oil to last for 25 years. Efforts are underway to develop cheaper and more sustainable energy such as solar power, wind power and other forms of renewable energy that can replace oil and fossil fuel. Factors that have caused oil depletion include increase in industrial activities, increased population and wastage. The consequences of resource depletion include Less Transportation, smaller economies, higher prices. Possibly help push the transition to green energy with reduced CO2 emissions and pollution!

Forests an estimated 18 million acres of forests are destroyed each year and half of the world?s forest has been cleared. Deforestation contributes 12 to 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. Trees absorb greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide. They produce the oxygen we breathe. Forests are the habitats of millions of species. Some of the causes of resource depletion include urbanization, illegal logging, and agriculture. If forests are depleted, there are high chances of soil erosion, global warming caused by the rise of green house gases-extinction of species and loss of diversity

 Well, a lot can be done to stop the factors that are depleting the natural resources. If every person contributed to the conservation of our natural resources, and reducing carbon emissions foot print, through planting more trees, recycling, reusing and reducing the use of plastics and polythenes, cycling , walking and also awareness, rain water harvesting . With this and a lot more activities, each individual can make a big positive contribution to stopping resource depletion. Take caution!

References

1. The Guardian: The six natural resources most drained by our 7 billion people
2. FAO.org: Depletion of Fresh Water Resources
3. Oil Depletion: One of the most important problems of the world