Statements on Resources
1. Human society engages in resource competition for the available energy resources. Groups form to vie for these essential resources, and due to cultural differences, conflicts arise and persist. As obtaining these resources becomes increasingly challenging and costly, expect to see more conflict, particularly as energy resources are dispersed throughout the globe.
As the global population increases, the demand for resources and energy intensifies, heightening the stakes and leading to faster changes. This trend is evident in both industrial and military sectors.
2. The EROI for individuals seeking Food, Water, and basic necessities differs by country, contributing to supply chain risk. As populations are forced to allocate a larger portion of their income to these vital necessities, unrest and migration are likely to escalate.
The fight or flight response plays a crucial role in addressing basic survival needs. With massive populations and changing circumstances, stability is increasingly impacted, leading to more disorder globally.
3. Wealth seeking returns will engage in resource competition. Supply and demand economics will dictate that capital seeks out opportunities with the highest potential returns, causing potential clashes between those pursuing profit and the general populace (Wall Street vs. Main Street). We will continue to witness capital seeking returns across various sectors, including critical survival items such as food, water, and shelter.
4. Areas with high demand for resources will emerge as Hot Spots, especially for nations lower on the power hierarchy. Individuals, organizations, and nations will compete for these limited resources and the wealth and survival benefits they confer. As the economic system grows more complex and leveraged, ongoing growth and power dynamics will increasingly hinge on these scarce resources.
Examples of current and future Hot Spots include Venezuela, Ukraine, Greenland, Canada, the Arctic, Iran, Brazil, and Russia.
Change Risk to Monitor for Resources
Costs of resources
As mentioned in the Energy section, money is a claim on energy resources and other essential materials. People need energy and resources to turn paper currencies into real wealth.
How is your organization monitoring the most valuable resources it needs to hit your sales and profit targets amid ongoing resource competition?
Risk to resources
As seen during Covid, the world is interconnected, and each resource has its supply chains. How is your organization monitoring its supply chain risk to ensure stability and mitigate potential disruptions?
Resource News 2025
Critical Metals
Rare Earth Elements > China is the world's leading producer and refiner of REEs, controlling 70% of global mine production and 87% of refined production in 2023. The country's dominance in this sector highlights the ongoing resource competition for these critical energy resources, as it holds 44 million metric tons of reserves, the largest in the world.
Cobalt > The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the dominant source, accounting for more than 70% of the world's mined cobalt in 2019, which poses a significant supply chain risk for companies reliant on this energy resource.
Lithium > The top producing countries, Australia, Chile, and China, together account for over 90% of total lithium production.
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