Developing Countries

• There is a high probability for severe natural resource depletion in many developing countries. This is attributed mostly to subsistence farming. The populations of developing countries use the land in order to grow food for their own consumption. This means clearing away forests and jungles. The loss of forest land can have a long term effect on the economy as it can lead to devastating natural disasters like flooding and landslides. The over-farming of land can also turn the farmland so arid that it nothing will grow on it, leading to severe food shortages.
  
  

Developed Countries

• In developed countries with highly industrialized economies, overuse of natural resources can occur when industries are not regulated. Industries that use up natural resources without replacing them can eventually deplete these resources in just a short period of time. The unsupervised and uncontrolled dumping of the wastes generated by these industries can also destroy the environment. In fact, the damage to the environment can be more serious and severe in developed countries because of the chemical wastes can forever alter the environment.
  
  

Green Economy

• In order to facilitate and guarantee sustainable development, a movement called the "green economy" is being adopted by many developed and developing countries. Simply put, a green economy is all about providing financial incentives to industries and citizens that use natural resources wisely and punishing those who irresponsibly deplete natural resources with higher taxes and penalties. It also encourages the use of environmentally friendly techniques, technologies and practices that ensure the well-being of the environment and the sustainability of natural resources.
  
  

Political Will

• In order to prevent the overuse of a country's natural resources, political will is very important. The leaders of a country commit to adapting green economy practices and implement laws that protect the environment and the country's natural resources. The political leaders control how the country's natural resources are used. This is why political will is really important if a country wants to sustain its natural resources.