[alexasmyths]

Uhh, look around: almost all economic growth is derived from innovation.

The entire medical industry's growth is based on innovation.

Do you think the medical industry is growing because it's 'digging more resources' out of the ground?

'Cutting more trees'?

The entire financial industry, basically all of high tech.

Education.

Very few sectors depend on 'natural resources' for growth.

And even for some that do, it's minimal.

Most materials are abundant anyhow.