The natural resource crisis is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century. The combination of growing demand, driven by population growth and rapid urbanization, with the decline in the availability of essential resources due to climate change and overexploitation, has placed unprecedented pressure on global ecosystems. At the economic and geopolitical level, competition for access to strategic materials and freshwater sources has led to conflicts between nations and regions, highlighting the urgency of finding sustainable and efficient solutions.
Megatrends in resource scarcity
Resource scarcity is closely linked to various megatrends that are shaping the future of humanity. Population growth has been a key factor in the expansion of demand for essential goods. With more than 8 billion people on the planet, pressure on water sources, fertile soils, and strategic minerals continues to rise. At the same time, urbanization has transformed natural landscapes into artificial environments, further limiting access to renewable resources and reducing the capacity of ecosystems to regenerate.
Climate change is another determining factor in the scarcity equation. Variations in weather patterns have affected rainfall distribution, causing prolonged droughts in some regions and extreme rainfall in others. This variability has had a negative impact on food security and reduced freshwater storage capacity. High temperatures have also accelerated desertification, turning fertile land into unproductive areas and reducing biodiversity, which directly affects agricultural systems and the availability of essential natural resources.
At the same time, the energy transition has led to growing dependence on critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, which are essential for the manufacture of batteries and electronic devices. The electrification of transportation and the push for renewable energy have increased demand for these elements, intensifying mining and geopolitical tensions surrounding their supply. Meanwhile, digitalization and the circular economy have promoted changes in resource management, driving strategies for recycling and reusing materials as an alternative to intensive extraction.
Endangered resources and their impact
Freshwater has become one of the most vulnerable and strategically critical resources in global environmental and economic management. Projections indicate that by 2030, more than half of the world’s population could face difficulties in accessing safe drinking water sources, posing risks to public health, food security, and economic development. Water stress not only affects arid or semi-arid regions, but also impacts areas with high industrial and agricultural demand, where overexploitation of aquifers and rivers has significantly reduced the availability of the resource.
Competition between industrial, agricultural, and urban sectors has exacerbated the water crisis in various regions. Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global water consumption, making it the primary user of this resource. In many areas, inefficient use of water for irrigation has led to a decline in the regenerative capacity of water ecosystems, while pollution from fertilizers and pesticides has affected the quality of available water. In the industrial sector, industries such as mining, energy production, and manufacturing require large volumes of water, placing additional strain on its distribution and use.
The graph below provides a visual representation of the magnitude of water stress worldwide, offering a detailed analysis of competition for available freshwater. This dataset, developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI), shows water stress ratings on a national scale, measuring the level of competition for available freshwater. The assessment is based on a comparison between water withdrawals and the amount available in each region. The results have been categorized into five levels of risk: low, low to medium, medium to high, high, and extremely high. This analysis also makes it possible to identify which sectors—agricultural, domestic, and industrial—have the greatest impact on water stress, thus facilitating the formulation of specific mitigation strategies.
To address these challenges, technologies such as desalination and advanced wastewater treatment have been implemented to meet growing demand. However, these methods still present challenges in terms of cost and energy consumption. Desalination, for example, requires high levels of energy and generates saline waste that can affect coastal ecosystems. On the other hand, rainwater harvesting and storage strategies, together with the optimization of distribution infrastructure, have proven to be effective solutions for resource management, especially in regions with seasonal rainfall.
Furthermore, water governance plays a key role in mitigating this crisis. The implementation of efficient use policies, the regulation of access to water sources, and international cooperation for the management of shared basins are fundamental aspects of the sustainability of this resource. Circular economy models applied to water reuse, as well as incentives to reduce waste in domestic and industrial consumption, can help alleviate pressure on water reserves and ensure equitable access to this essential resource.
The mining of strategic minerals also faces major challenges. Growing demand for materials used in the energy transition and digital technology has led to an expansion of extraction in countries with large deposits, often under precarious environmental and working conditions. Water pollution, deforestation, and the impact on local communities have called into question the viability of these processes. Against this backdrop, recycling electronic devices and searching for alternative materials have emerged as solutions that can mitigate the environmental impact of the mining industry.
Biodiversity and soil fertility are also at risk. Massive deforestation for agricultural expansion and urbanization has significantly reduced forest cover, affecting the balance of ecosystems and carbon capture capacity. The intensive use of agrochemicals and overexploitation of land have led to soil degradation, decreasing its productivity and generating a growing dependence on synthetic fertilizers to maintain agricultural production levels.
Mitigation strategies and sustainable solutions
Faced with growing pressure on natural resources, various strategies have been proposed to address the crisis. The circular economy has emerged as one approach, promoting waste reduction and the reuse of materials in different productive sectors. Production models based on recycling and optimizing the use of inputs have proven effective in reducing dependence on the extraction of virgin resources. The design of products with a long service life and the development of material recovery technologies have made it possible to reduce the environmental impact of resource-intensive industries.
The development of new technologies also plays a key role in the search for sustainable solutions. Artificial intelligence and automation have optimized the use of resources in sectors such as agriculture and water management, enabling more accurate monitoring of consumption levels and the identification of opportunities to improve efficiency. In the energy sector, investment in renewable sources such as solar and wind power has reduced dependence on fossil fuels and enabled the diversification of the energy mix in many regions.
In terms of governance, international agreements have sought to regulate access to and exploitation of natural resources. Water management has been a priority issue in various multilateral negotiations, with the implementation of policies that seek to ensure equitable distribution of water resources and promote their responsible use. In the mining sector, more rigorous environmental and labor standards have been promoted to mitigate the negative effects of strategic mineral extraction. However, the success of these measures depends on their effective implementation and the commitment of the countries involved.
Future perspectives
The shortage of natural resources will remain a central challenge in the coming decades, driving the need for structural transformation in the way resources are used and managed. As populations grow and economies expand, the balance between resource demand and the planet’s regenerative capacity will become increasingly critical. Pressure on water, strategic minerals, and biodiversity will require innovative approaches that combine the development of more efficient technologies with production and consumption models based on sustainability.
The implementation of sustainable policies will be essential to mitigate the negative impacts of overexploitation and ensure the resilience of ecosystems. Regulatory frameworks are expected to evolve toward stricter systems of control and resource allocation, promoting optimization in water use, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. In this context, the adoption of the circular economy will consolidate itself as a key strategy, allowing for the reuse of materials and the minimization of environmental impact in various industries.
International cooperation will also play a key role in managing shared resources and reducing inequalities in access to essential goods. Geopolitical tensions surrounding critical minerals and transboundary water sources will necessitate the creation of multilateral agreements regulating equitable and sustainable access to these resources. Technological innovation will play a fundamental role in this transition, with advances in artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring systems, and new materials that could redefine efficiency in the use of natural resources.
While technological solutions offer promising opportunities, their success will depend on political will and the commitment of the public and private sectors to adopt strategies that prioritize sustainability over short-term growth. Investment in resilient infrastructure, environmental education, and global awareness of the importance of preserving natural resources will be key factors in shaping a sustainable future. Ultimately, the adaptability of societies and their willingness to implement structural changes will determine the viability of a development model that respects the planet’s ecological limits.
References
- UNEP (2024). Global Resource Outlook 2024.
- Brown, L. R. (2011). World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse. W.W. Norton & Company.
- Sachs, J. (2015). The Age of Sustainable Development. Columbia University Press.
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2021). The Circular Economy in Detail.
- Rockström, J., Steffen, W., & Noone, K. (2009). Planetary Boundaries: Exploring the Safe Operating Space for Humanity. Ecology and Society.
- United Nations Environment Programme (2024). Global Resource Outlook 2024.
- Diamond, J. (2005). Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Viking Press.
- European Environment Agency (2020). The European Environment – State and Outlook 2020: Knowledge for Transition to a Sustainable Europe.
