International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Vol. 4 No. 4 [Special Issue – February 2014] 154 Conservation of Exhaustible Resources for the Welfare of Future Generations Adil Salim Elsheikh, PhD Professor Community College Najran University Najran Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abstract The purpose of this study is to highlight the gravity of depletion of exhaustible resources; especially in the Arab region and North Africa; and its impact on future generations and depriving them of a decent life. It also draws the attention of individuals, specialists and decision-makers to rational consumption and conservation of these resources. Many countries in the world enjoy various resources such as water, fossil fuels, minerals and other natural resources. These resources may deplete or they may become of low benefit with the incredible advances happening in the world. The reliance on these resources alone and ignoring their conservation are a great threats to future generations. Key Words: exhaustible resources, energy, fossil fuels, depletion, conservation, future generations 1. Introduction The vast sprawling universe; which range from desert environment, semi-desert, rich savannah, cold and glacial regions; wherein rivers run, oceans surround, seas intersperse and orbs spin around; is full of diversity of resources that differ quantitatively and qualitatively; is a gift from the almighty God. Some of these resources are discovered and exploited, some unexploited and others yet to be discovered. The human being took the advantage of the scientific and technical developments, invented and developed new means that helped him to exploit these resources to meet the human renewable, disparate and infinite needs. To live and enjoy the human needs to understand and know the past, present, and extrapolate the future. He learns lessons from the others’ past, and guided by today’s knowledge he will understand what the future holds from pleasant to distressing surprises. The human needs the work that needs science, knowledge, comprehension, application, practice and training to achieve the goals and purposes of today and future. Human resources are the most important elements of life and production as a whole. The human uses and conserves the available resources in his environment and can develop new resources. Too many resources that differ quantitatively and qualitatively are available. These resources can be classified into renewable, exhaustible and innovative resources. Renewable resources are inexhaustible and the man controls their quality and quantity, examples include agricultural, animal products, renewable energies and industrial products. Exhaustible resources are those resources found in nature in limited quantities and are not more than crude that increases slightly over millions of years. The traditional examples of exhaustible resources are gold, diamond, platinum, silver, uranium, fossil fuels and other minerals. The underground water can be classified as an exhaustible resource in desert areas where neither rivers run nor rain falls. These exhaustible resources decrease and fade with time if extensively exploited. The innovative resources are those resources created by the human. They depend solely on exhaustible and renewable resources. They depend on the quantity and quality of these resources, and affected by the amount of these resources. The more innovative resources the human develops; the exhaustible resources decrease. The economy of many countries depends on either exhaustible or renewable resources. Reliance on renewable resources such as solar, hydro and wind energies, agriculture and animal products; protects nations against the risk of disasters, collapse, and humiliation by others. Because these resources meet the basic human needs and are available in many countries. The absolute reliance on exhaustible resources leads to the decrease of these resources or even their exhaustion. Also these resources may be less needed or become useless in the future with the development of the world.