A resource is anything available in the environment or society that can be used to satisfy human needs and wants or to achieve a goal. It includes materials, assets, or qualities that are useful or valuable and can be utilized for some benefit or profit
. Resources can be classified in various ways:
- Natural resources: Derived from the environment, such as land, water, minerals, forests, animals, and fossil fuels. These can be renewable or non-renewable and are essential for survival or economic development
- Human resources: The skills, knowledge, labor, and abilities of people used to produce goods and services or execute tasks
- Physical resources: Tangible materials or equipment needed to produce goods or deliver services, such as machinery, raw materials, or tools
- Financial resources: Capital or money used to acquire other resources, pay employees, or invest in business activities
Resources share three main features: they provide utility by satisfying needs, have limited availability relative to demand, and can be depleted over time as they are used
. In summary, a resource is any tool, material, or capability—whether natural, human, physical, or financial—that can be employed to fulfill objectives or meet needs