Non-renewable resources:
- Non-renewable resources are those that cannot be replenished or are replenished very slowly over a long period of time.
- These resources are finite in nature and their availability diminishes with extraction.
- They are formed over millions of years through geological processes.
- Examples of non-renewable resources include fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), minerals (iron, copper, gold), and nuclear fuels (uranium).
- Once these resources are depleted, they cannot be replaced in a human time frame.
- Extraction and consumption of non-renewable resources can have various negative environmental impacts, such as air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable resources:
- Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally or through human intervention within a relatively short time frame.
- These resources have the ability to regenerate or renew themselves.
- Examples of renewable resources include solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, biomass, and geothermal energy.
- Their availability is not dependent on geological processes but rather on ongoing natural processes.
- Unlike non-renewable resources, renewable resources are not depleted with extraction and can be used sustainably over time.
- Utilizing renewable resources is considered more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Conclusion:
Non-renewable resources are the ones that get exhausted with extraction. They are finite in nature and cannot be replenished within a human time frame. On the other hand, renewable resources can be replenished naturally or through human intervention and can be used sustainably over time.