Environmental Science and Resource Management

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

We use many things from Earth every day. We use water to drink, trees to make paper, and fuels to help cars move and homes stay warm. These things are called resources.

A resource is something people use. Some resources can be replaced by nature in a short time. Other resources take a very, very long time to form. It is important to learn the difference.

There are two big groups of resources:

• Renewable resources
• Nonrenewable resources

What does renewable mean?

Renewable means nature can make more of it again and again. These resources can come back in a short time if we use them wisely.

Some renewable resources are:

• Sunlight
• Wind
• Water
• Trees and plants

For example, the Sun shines each day. Wind keeps blowing. Rain helps fill rivers and lakes. Trees can grow back, but they need time and care.

What does nonrenewable mean?

Nonrenewable means there is only a limited amount, and nature takes much longer than a human lifetime to make more. When people use a lot of it, there is less left.

Some nonrenewable resources are:

• Coal
• Oil
• Natural gas
• Metals and rocks taken from deep in the ground

Coal, oil, and natural gas are fuels from Earth. They took a very long time to form underground. We cannot quickly make more of them.

How are they different?

• Renewable resources can be replaced by nature in a shorter time.
• Nonrenewable resources take so long to form that people must use them carefully.

Think about it this way:

• If something can come back soon, it is renewable.
• If it does not come back soon, it is nonrenewable.

Important note: Even renewable resources should not be wasted. Clean water can be renewed by nature, but we still need to protect it. Trees can grow back, but if too many are cut down and not replanted, forests can shrink.

Examples of renewable resources

Sunlight: Solar panels can use sunlight to make electricity. The Sun keeps shining, so sunlight is renewable.

Wind: Wind turbines can use moving air to make electricity. Wind is renewable because it keeps moving through nature.

Water: Flowing water can help make electricity. Rain and the water cycle help bring water back.

Trees: Trees give us wood and paper. Trees are renewable because new trees can grow. People can also plant more trees.

Examples of nonrenewable resources

Coal: Coal is burned to make energy. It comes from the ground and takes a very long time to form.

Oil: Oil is used to make gasoline and other products. Once oil is taken from the ground and used, it is gone.

Natural gas: Natural gas is another fuel from underground. Like coal and oil, it takes a very long time to form.

Metals: Metals such as iron are dug from Earth. There is only so much in one place, so people need to use them wisely and recycle when they can.

Why does this matter?

People need resources to live. We need energy, water, wood, and many other materials. If we waste resources, we may not have enough later.

Learning about resources helps us make smart choices. We can save water, turn off lights, recycle, and use less fuel when possible.

Ways to care for resources

• Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Use only the water you need.
• Recycle paper, cans, and bottles.
• Use both sides of paper.
• Plant trees and care for plants.
• Walk, bike, or ride together when possible.

Worked Example 1

Question: Is sunlight renewable or nonrenewable?

Think: Does it come back again and again in nature?

Answer: Sunlight is renewable.

Why: The Sun shines every day, so nature keeps providing it.

Worked Example 2

Question: A car uses gasoline made from oil. Is oil renewable or nonrenewable?

Think: Can nature make more oil quickly?

Answer: Oil is nonrenewable.

Why: Oil takes a very long time to form underground.

Worked Example 3

Question: A class uses paper from trees. Are trees renewable or nonrenewable?

Think: Can more trees grow?

Answer: Trees are renewable.

Why: Trees can grow back, especially when people plant new ones and protect forests.

Worked Example 4

Question: Look at these resources: wind, coal, water, natural gas.

Which are renewable, and which are nonrenewable?

Step 1: Ask if each resource can be replaced by nature in a short time.

• Wind → comes again and again
• Coal → takes a very long time to form
• Water → moves through the water cycle
• Natural gas → takes a very long time to form

Step 2: Sort them.

• Renewable: wind, water
• Nonrenewable: coal, natural gas

Helpful clue words

• Renewable: can grow back, can be replaced, comes again
• Nonrenewable: limited, used up, takes a very long time to form

Let’s remember

Renewable resources are things nature can replace in a shorter time, like sunlight, wind, water, and trees. Nonrenewable resources are things that take much longer to form, like coal, oil, and natural gas.

When we know the difference, we can make better choices. We can protect Earth by using resources carefully and not wasting them.