Economic development has traditionally been measured through indicators such as production, investment, employment, income, infrastructure, and consumption. These measures are important, but they do not fully capture whether an economy is strengthening its foundations or gradually consuming them. Land, water, forests, oceans, biodiversity, soil, minerals, and energy systems provide the physical conditions that make economic activity possible. When these foundations are weakened, the apparent gains of development can become increasingly difficult to sustain.

Economic development has transformed societies and expanded opportunity, but every economy ultimately depends on natural resources and ecological systems. Defending water, forests, soil, oceans, biodiversity, and other natural assets from unnecessary destruction is therefore not a rejection of development. It is a social responsibility to ensure that economic progress does not undermine the foundations required for future prosperity.

Natural resources are not simply environmental assets; they are fundamental components of economic and social infrastructure. A healthy coexistence between society and nature can strengthen institutional planning, economic resilience, resource efficiency, and long-term prosperity. Responsible development therefore depends on building institutions capable of recognizing the value of natural systems and integrating their protection into the broader architecture of economic development.

Economic development depends on natural resources, from water and productive soil to forests, biodiversity, and energy systems. Building a healthy relationship between society and these resources can reduce economic risks, improve efficiency, create new opportunities, and strengthen long-term prosperity.