Resource distribution refers to the geographic distribution of resources. The resources are finite and limited. Uneven distributions can lead to conflict. For example, humans rely on natural resources for food, fuel, clothing, and shelter. Uneven distribution of resources can lead to conflicts and other human problems.
Humans depend on natural resources for food, fuel, clothing, and shelter
Natural resources refer to the raw materials and energy humans need to fulfill their needs. These resources can include water, soils, fossil fuels plants and even air. Humans use these resources to make everything from food to fuel and clothing. They also use these resources to build houses, create electricity, and produce raw materials for industries.
The continued flow of natural resources is vital for the human economy. These resources include forests, arable land, and fossil fuels. Although these resources can be regenerated, over-exploitation could lead to the depletion or loss of remaining stocks. This could lead to a decrease in the quality of life for future generations.
Natural resources are finite
Natural resources refer to factors of production, whose sources are found in nature. These factors are often shared and are freely available. Water, air, land, and other natural resources are all examples. However, not all of these are free to use. Some of these, like rivers and forests, can be shared with everyone.
Natural resources are finite. They cannot be created or renewed in a laboratory. Although the number of resources can fluctuate, their actual quantity is not infinite. The result is that a finite number of resources will eventually become exhausted.
They are not exhaustible
The 'cheapest first' rule says that deposits with the lowest extraction costs should be exploited first. If the lowest cost deposits are exhausted, then the cost of extracting one unit of resource should rise. This rule predicts that a resource's price will rise in accordance with Hotelling’s d-percent rule.
Harold Hotelling, who first proposed the theory on exhaustibility in 1931, is still the one who developed it. Hotelling noted that the decreasing stock of finite resources has resulted in our growing dependence on them. To understand what he meant with this statement, we must first define the term finiteness. A finite resource stock can be described by three factors: the extract rate, the replenishment rates, and the total. An increasing rate at which a resource is being extracted will result in a decrease in its availability over a short period.
Conflict can be caused by inequal distribution of resources
The inequal distribution of natural resource has been a source for conflict over the years. A more fair trade in natural resources would lead to a peaceful and sustainable world. The current approach to resource trade is insufficient. These trade agreements do little to address the root causes. Therefore, conflict potential remains high.
The relationship between inequality and conflict is complex and difficult to define. While some studies focus on inequalities among individuals, others examine inequalities among groups based upon religion, ethnicity or other differences. It is evident that certain types of inequality are more important than others. Unfair distributions of resources can create conflict between communities or countries or cultural groups.