What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

The distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources is fundamentally based on their availability and replenishment rates. Non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and minerals, are finite in nature. They exist in limited quantities on Earth, and once extracted and consumed, they cannot be replenished on a human timescale. This means that, over time, these resources will be depleted as they take millions of years to form through geological processes.

The characteristic of being finite is crucial because it implies that once we exhaust these resources, they cannot be replaced. This significantly impacts energy consumption and resource management practices as societies depend on these materials for various applications. Understanding this finite nature helps inform sustainable practices and the push towards renewable energy sources that can regenerate naturally.