Our earth is made of various natural resources such as coal, petroleum, sunlight, water, land, vegetation, and life.
We all depend on these natural resources to perform various everyday activities. These resources are essential for human beings to live on this earth.
Natural resources are classified into two categories, such as
renewable and nonrenewable. In the content below, we will discuss the difference
between renewable and nonrenewable resources and other related details. So,
read this article very carefully till the end.
What do you mean by Resources?
In order to proceed with the renewable and nonrenewable resources
difference, we must know what exactly are the Resources. Resources refer to all
kinds of materials available on our earth used by human beings. These are the
most important raw materials found in the earth’s environment. All these
materials are very useful for human beings to satisfy one or the other needs.
What are the Natural Resources?
On this earth planet, various useful things are available and
human beings use these things to survive in this environment. These useful
things are called natural resources. For instance, Air, water, animals, wood,
trees, minerals, sunlight, and various other things exist on this earth.
Further, human beings use all these natural resources to make their desired
things out of them and this practice increases the value of the natural
resources. These new things are called man-made resources.
Discuss types of natural resources
Natural resources are available on earth for human beings and they
are extremely important for them in order to survive in the earth’s
environment. Natural resources are classified into two types: Renewable and Nonrenewable
natural resources. Let’s check out what are the Renewable and Nonrenewable
natural resources in the following section:
What are the Renewable Natural Resources?
Renewable Resources refers to those resources that can be replenished. These types of resources are
always available and can be reused accordingly. We can find various Renewable
Resources on earth that are reusable and we have mentioned them in the
following section:
- Sun
- Wind
- Water
- Soil
- Biogases, etc.
What are the Nonrenewable natural resources?
Nonrenewable natural resources refer to those resources that are
of limited quantity. This category of natural resources cannot be supplied. In
other words, the Nonrenewable resources can be used for a short period of time
due to their limited quantity. Also, these resources cannot be reused by the
human beings. Check the types of Nonrenewable natural resources here:
- Fossil Fuels
- Coal
- Natural gases
- Nuclear energy
- Petroleum, etc.
Difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources
Below are points that explain the difference between Renewable and
Non-renewable natural resources. Look below:
|
Characteristics |
Renewable natural resources |
Nonrenewable natural resources |
|
Definition |
Renewable resources can not be
depleted by human beings. They can be used forever. |
Nonrenewable resources can be
depleted with their use. |
|
Formation |
These types of resources are formed
with all natural resources such as sunlight, etc. Sunlight is formed by the
sun and all natural resources. |
These types of resources formed with
slow geological procedures such as fossils, etc. This fossilization is formed
with the animals and plants. |
|
Examples of resources |
Wind energy, hydro energy,
bio-energy, sunlight, etc. |
Coal, oil, iron, copper, fossils,
etc. |
|
Supply |
The renewable sources supply is
unlimited. |
The nonrenewable sources are limited. |
|
Environmental Impact |
The environmental impact of renewable
sources is low if they are managed properly. |
The nonrenewable resources have a
significant impact on the environment. They can provide air pollution, water
pollution, etc. that can be hazardous for human beings. |
|
Cost |
The cost of renewable sources is very
high. |
The nonrenewable resources have a low
cost as comparatively renewable sources. |
|
Requirement of infrastructure |
In order to harvest renewable
resources, it requires so many infrastructures and that is why, it is very
expensive. |
The nonrenewable resources have very
accessible infrastructure and that is why, they are cost-effective. |
|
Place requirement |
They require a large place of land |
They require lower area requirements. |
|
Long term sustainability |
They are of high sustainability |
They are of low sustainability |
|
Economic significance |
The demand for renewable resources is
increasing day by day |
The demand for nonrenewable resources
has already been huge as it provides raw materials and energy |
Some interesting fun facts
- Nonrenewable resources release harmful chemicals after burning.
- Renewable resources are unlimited and can not be finished over time.
- A wind turbine is able to generate 1400 electricity to power numerous houses.
- Renewable resources generate three times more energy than nonrenewable resources.
Wrapping up:
Resources are those materials that are present in this earth’s
environment. These resources are used by human beings. We have discussed the difference
between renewable and nonrenewable resources in this article above.
Renewable resources can not be depleted such as air, water, sunlight, etc. On
the other hand, nonrenewable resources are of a limited quantity that can be
replenished over time, such as coal, petroleum, etc.
