Natural resources are materials and components that can be found within the environment and are used to support life and meet peoples needs. They are drawn from nature and used with few modifications. Natural resources can be classified in different ways, but they are generally categorized as renewable or nonrenewable resources. Renewable resources are those that can be replenished at about the same rate at which they are used, such as trees, water, sun, and wind. Nonrenewable resources are those that are depleted more quickly than they can regenerate, such as fossil fuels like oil and natural gas.

Examples of natural resources include air, sunlight, water, soil, stone, plants, animals, minerals, forests, surface water, groundwater, and geothermal energy. Natural resources are used to make food, fuel, and raw materials for the production of goods. All of the food that people eat comes from plants or animals, and natural resources such as coal, natural gas, and oil provide heat, light, and power. Natural resources also serve aesthetic, scientific, and cultural purposes.

Natural resources are part of humanitys natural heritage or protected in nature reserves. They contribute a variety of essential elements to our well-being, including clean air, water, and soil. However, extracting, processing, and using natural resources can cause environmental problems such as air and water pollution, land degradation, and climate change. Therefore, it is important to manage natural resources sustainably to balance the demands of exploitation with a respect for regenerative capacities.