"Essential Resources: Risk & Why it Matters"
November 1, 2025
Just to start off this blog to make sure you are aware what we will be discussing the essential resources and depending on where you are located essential resources can be different things, different sources or different materials. To go more in dept on what we mean by essential resources, Life-Sustaining Resources or Foundational Elements that will keep human life moving forward the next 50 years or beyond to come. Now when I think about the word resources in my everyday life for example what comes to mind is oxygen, water, food, and what we like to call nowadays mental health. For some we will include prayer and our relationship with God. I won't dive into prayer and what others call religion at this time.
Survival depends on access to critical natural resources which some obvious, others often overlooked. As climate change, pollution, and overconsumption strain these lifelines, understanding what we rely on is the first step toward protecting them. In a world that is rapidly advancing in technology, industry, and human population growth, the question of resource sustainability is becoming more critical than ever. As we expand our reach and deepen our reliance on natural resources, several key resources are under increasing pressure. From clean water to biodiversity, the impact of these pressures is far-reaching—not just for the environment, but for humanity’s survival and prosperity. The resources we rely on are interconnected, and depletion or mismanagement of one could have a cascading impact on others. Here are the most critical resources to sustain life and the key factors that will affect their availability and management over the coming decades:
Well, Well looks who is first on the list......
As we look to the next 50 years, freshwater is not just important it’s essential for survival, stability, and progress. Without reliable access to clean water, there is no sustainable future. Freshwater makes up less than 3% of all the water on Earth, and of that, most of the water is in glaciers, ice caps, or deep underground. Just by doing a search it states over 97% of the total water on earth is saltwater which leaves us with 1% of water unsuitable making it non drinkable for consumption. Freshwater is an essential resource for our health in which clean water prevents disease, supports sanitation, and sustains communities. Safe drinking water is the foundation of public health. With food security agriculture consumes nearly 70% of freshwater use worldwide. Feeding 9–10 billion people by 2050 will depend on smarter, more efficient water use. Freshwater systems like rivers, lakes, and wetlands are critical for biodiversity, carbon storage, and protecting against climate extremes. For energy production there is hydropower which affects cooling systems for power plants, and even green hydrogen relies on water. Our energy transitions need freshwater security. Freshwater systems like rivers, lakes, and wetlands are critical for biodiversity, carbon storage, and protecting against climate extremes. Some of the current threats of freshwater are aquifers are being drained faster than they can recharge, then there are droughts, floods, and shifts in rainfall patterns, making water less predictable. We also have Industrial runoff, agricultural fertilizers, plastics, and untreated sewage contaminate water sources. Then there are notable cases of water acquisition by wealthy entities meaning there is clear evidence that wealthy individuals and corporations are actively acquiring water rights, especially in water-stressed regions. These moves have ignited debate over the ethics of privatizing this essential resource, propelling both public and political scrutiny.
Oxygen and air quality are not just background elements in our lives that can be taken for granted no, they are central to our survival, health, and the future of our generations to come. Every breath we take is a reminder of one of our most vital needs, oxygen. We can only survive minutes without air while we can survive for weeks without food, days without water. The brain consumes about 20% of the body’s oxygen supply. A lack of oxygen (hypoxia) can cause confusion, unconsciousness, and permanent brain damage in minutes. Every organ, from the heart to the liver, depends on a steady oxygen supply to function properly. Poor air quality reduces oxygen intake, which can lead to fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Over time, exposure to polluted air increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and even certain cancers. Oxygen is the key player in the process of cellular respiration. Every cell in our body uses oxygen to convert nutrients from food into energy. Without it, organs begin to fail, and life cannot be sustained. Some of the current threats to our oxygen levels would include burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust release harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter into the air. These pollutants reduce the amount of clean, breathable air. As cities grow, natural green spaces are replaced by concrete and asphalt, reducing the number of trees and plants that contribute to oxygen production and air filtration. Oxygen and air quality are not luxuries, and they are non-negotiable essentials. In a world facing rising pollution and environmental degradation, the air we breathe must become a top priority. By understanding the threats and taking meaningful action, we can preserve this invisible yet invaluable resource for generations to come.
From the lights in our homes to the Apple or Samsung chargers we use, the food we eat, and the transportation we rely on, we know that energy powers almost every aspect of modern life. Whether it comes from traditional non-renewable sources like coal and oil, or cleaner renewable sources like wind and solar, energy is a critical resource for human survival, development, and progress. As the global population grows and demand rises, understanding our energy landscape while protecting it becomes more important than ever. Now before we get into the aspect of why energy is an essential resource and the current threats to our energy resources, lets first talk about the differences in renewable energy and non-renewable energy. The main difference is the sources of each type in which non-renewable uses coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear while renewable energy uses solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass. Now for the pros non-renewable has high energy output and well established infrastructure then we have renewable energy to follow with clean, sustainable, and lower environmental impact. Both have cons which for non-renewable energy there high carbon emissions and environmental degradation. With renewable energy the cons are that it relies dependent on weather or geography outcomes then there are storage challenges and higher upfront costs. Both types currently play a role in the global energy mix, but the balance is shifting as we work toward a cleaner future. Hospitals, clinics, and laboratories rely on a stable energy supply to operate life-saving equipment, store medicines, and provide lighting and sanitation. During emergencies, energy can be the difference between life and death. Energy is at the heart of industry, agriculture, and services. It powers machinery, production lines, and digital infrastructure, making it a backbone of economic activity and job creation. The current threats are coal, oil, and natural gas are being used far faster than they can be replenished. Some reserves are already in decline, which threatens long-term supply stability. Dependence on fossil fuels often leads to political and economic instability. Wars, trade disputes, and price shocks can threaten energy access in entire regions. Millions of people, especially in developing countries, still lack reliable access to energy. This energy divide deepens poverty and limits opportunities. Even renewable energy has an environmental footprint. Large hydroelectric dams can displace communities and harm ecosystems, while mining for solar or wind components can be resource-intensive. Looking into what is needed to secure a sustainable energy future requires governments and businesses investing heavily in solar, wind, hydro, and other renewables. This reduces dependency on fossil fuels and cuts harmful emissions. Bridging the energy access gap will improve health, education, and economies in underserved areas. Off-grid solar and microgrids are promising solutions.Supportive energy policies, research funding, and incentives for clean tech will accelerate the shift to a more sustainable and secure energy future. Energy is more than a resource rather it's the foundation of our lives, economies, and future. As we face climate change, growing demand, and resource limitations, we must rethink how we produce, distribute, and consume energy. A balanced approach that transitions us toward renewable sources, while responsibly managing the existing non-renewable supply, is essential. The time to act is now because the way we power our world will define the quality of life for generations to come.
Now to finish off the list with one of the final essential resources that comes to mind out of many would be health and medical Resources. Just think about it from birth to death, health and medical resources play a part in our lifelines and for some a large part of our life. Praying for those who have to rely heavily on medical resources on a daily basis. Health is the foundation of human progress with this truth it remains constant. Here are the reasons why health and medical resources are essential, from preventive care, vaccines for illnesses to diseases, and timely access to healthcare saves lives during emergencies, accidents and outbreaks. For economic stability when we have a healthy population this in turn makes us a productive one. While the medicine advances have grown rapidly there are several threats and risks, we face in the sector. One that has exploded on the health scene would be the mental health crisis where stress, isolation and social pressures are increasing demand for mental health services which remain under resourced. There is also healthcare inequality where disparities in access to quality care still exist across income levels, geographies and demographics. With rising temperatures, pollution and extreme weather events contribute to new health crises and strain medical resources. We also have a global shortage of doctors, nurses and specialists. To safeguard the future of health and medical systems some of the approaches we can take would be investments in public health infrastructure, global collaboration where data and resources are shared to combat and response faster more effectively. Also, more innovation and technology can improve diagnosis, efficiency, and access to care. Being one of the most important lifelines of humanity, health and medical resources are more than a safety net.
There are more essential resources I could have added to this list however based on our everyday living the top four are listed. Food sources would be also on this list however without freshwater, oxygen and energy we would not be able to produce or grow our food. Ultimately, ensuring the survival of both humans and animals hinges on the collective responsibility to manage and conserve the resources that sustain life on Earth. To keep both humans and animals alive, several fundamental resources are crucial for sustaining life and ensuring the health of ecosystems. These resources are interdependent, and their availability is increasingly threatened by human activity, climate change, and unsustainable practices. If another key essential resource comes to mind on your end, please feel free to research how that resource will effect your everyday life and those around you. Thank you for reading and may you have that is needed.