Question

Differentiate between non-renewable and renewable energy sources

Answer 1

Answer:

Our planet’s finite resources and the rate at which we are depleting them has led to a lot of debate about the efficient use of its natural wealth, as well as the type of resources that we should prefer in order to minimise the impact we are having on our planet.

A key distinction in terms of the resources that are at our disposal is whether they are renewable or non-renewable. So, what exactly are renewable and nonrenewable resources?

Renewable resources are resources that are replenished naturally in the course of time. The use of these resources corresponds with the principles of sustainability, because the rate at which we are consuming them does not affect their availability in the long term. Renewable resources are solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biofuels, cultivated plants, biomass, air, water and soil.

In contrast, non-renewable resources are those that are available to us in limited quantities, or those that are renewed so slowly that the rate at which they are consumed is too fast. This means that their stocks are getting depleted before they can replenish naturally. Non-renewable resources are coal, oil, uranium, gold, aluminium, sand.

Answer 2

Nonrenewable energy resources, like coal, nuclear, oil, and natural gas, are available in limited supplies. ... Renewable resources are replenished naturally and over relatively short periods of time. The five major renewable energy resources are solar, wind, water (hydro), biomass, and geothermal.