
Difference between Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources
Mother Nature has bestowed upon us a variety of natural resources. These resources have been available since the birth of our planet. However, as humans also progressed, we made our own resources too.
As such, resources found naturally on the planet are called natural resources. There are two types of natural resources – biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living). Plants and their products, animals and their products, birds and their products, and marine creatures are all biotic (life things). Minerals, air, sunshine, and water are examples of abiotic (non-living substances).
All these resources have countless uses. Plants, for example, offer us fruits, vegetables, flowers, rubber, paper, medicine, and other resources. Water gets used for a variety of reasons, including cleaning and drinking. Solar energy, on the other hand, maybe obtained from sunshine. Plants serve humans by delivering oxygen and carbon dioxide by photosynthesis. Various fossil fuels, such as gasoline and coal, are used as “energy sources” for various machinery.
Renewable Resources
Water, wind, tides, earth, ocean currents, biomass, and so on are all examples of renewable resources. All these materials are freely available but are greatly affected by living organisms. As a result, humanity must take critical steps to protect Mother Earth and its resources.
Non-Renewable Resources
‘Exhaustible resources’ refers to non-renewable resources. Non-renewable resources include fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal, used as ‘sources of energy’ for various machines.
Advantages of Renewable Resources
There are various advantages to using renewable resources, including
- With zero carbon emissions, it is environmentally beneficial.
- Greenhouse gases and pollutants are not produced by renewable resources.
- These resources, on the other hand, help to decarbonize the earth.
- These resources produce energy that is free of emissions.
- Renewable resources are cost-effective since they are abundant in nature.
- They provide a cost-effective source of electricity supplied by solar and wind energy.
- Renewable resources do not pollute the air or water.
Advantages of Non-Renewable Resources
The benefits of non-renewable resources include:
- Sources abound, and they’re inexpensive.
- Furthermore, several non-renewable resource reservoirs are accessible across the world based on country topography.
- Nonrenewable resources are more cost-effective and easy to utilise and create than renewable ones.
Renewable vs. Non-renewable
The following is the distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources:
Renewable resources | Non-renewable resources |
Resources that are renewable cannot be depleted over time. | Resources that aren’t renewable run out with time. |
Sunlight, water, wind, and geothermal sources like hot springs and fumaroles are all renewable resources. | Fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are examples of non-renewable energy. |
The majority of renewable resources emit little carbon and have a small carbon footprint. | Non-renewable resources have a larger carbon footprint and emit more pollutants than renewable energy. |
Wind and solar farms, in particular, necessitate a large land/offshore area. | Relatively less space is required. |
Renewable energy infrastructure is unreasonably expensive and difficult to get in most nations. | For nonrenewable energy, most countries have a cost-effective and accessible infrastructure. |
Renewable energy has a high initial cost. – For example, creating power with renewable energy technologies is more expensive than generating it with fossil fuels. | Non-renewable energy has a lower initial investment cost. |
Differentiate between renewable and non renewable resources

Some important points
- Water, wind, tides, earth, ocean currents, biomass, forest, plants, and sunshine are all examples of renewable resources.
- Petrol and coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, and batteries are all examples of non-renewable resources.
- Because of smoke emissions, carcinogenic radiations, and other factors, burning nonrenewable resources has negative consequences for human health.
- Natural resources are those resources that may be obtained naturally on the surface of the Earth.
- There are two sorts of natural resources: biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living).
- The renewability of natural resources is one of the most important criteria used to classify them.
Some important FAQs
What can we do in our everyday lives to preserve water?
The following are some basic techniques to prevent wasting water:
- Check for leaks in all faucets.
- While shaving, brushing, or washing, do not leave the tap open.
- Don’t use pipes too frequently to wash your cars and driveways.
- Use the same water that was used to wash the veggies to water the plants.
- Install a rainwater collection system at your residence.
What are the disadvantages of fossil fuels?
Following are the disadvantages of fossil fuels:
- Air pollution is caused by fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum because large amounts of pollutants are released as we burn them.
- The emissions of pollutants and carbon dioxide cause global warming.
- The carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, and other oxides emitted by fossil fuels have an impact on soil fertility and drinkable water.
What motivates us to seek alternative energy sources?
Scientists consider alternative energy sources since fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources, meaning they are not accessible in significant amounts and cannot be renewed. If fossil fuel usage is not curbed, it will get depleted. As a result, it is preferable to move to a different energy source.
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