Final answer:
True, there are no perfect human-made substitutes for essential natural resources. Fossil fuels, a critical resource, are finite and alternatives may not sustain our lifestyle. Sustainable use of natural resources is essential for long-term survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that there are no human-made substitutions for essential natural resources is largely true. For example, fossil fuels are a finite resource, a one-time inheritance that will not continue propelling the future indefinitely. As they are consumed, it is uncertain if viable alternatives can sustain our current lifestyle, given the practical and economic barriers. Similarly, the steady depletion of resources like forests, fisheries, fresh water, and species populations without a sustainable approach will lead to their eventual loss, which could be catastrophic for human survival.
Furthermore, the biosphere that nature has prepared through natural selection presents a well-adapted and interdependent system in equilibrium. In contrast, modern human civilization, with its reliance on fossil fuels and exploitative practices, has not stood the test of time, nor does it adhere to sustainable principles for long-term survival. Therefore, the true long-term comparative advantage lies in preserving and aligning with the natural elements like climate and mineral deposits that nature offers, rather than depleting them unsustainably.