Which of the following is a nonrenewable resource?

Which of the following is a nonrenewable resource?

• A. Fossil Fuels
• B. Biomass
• C. Wind Energy
• D. Solar Energy

Answer: (A)

Nonrenewable resources cannot be replenished on a human timescale and are finite, formed over millions of years. Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—originate from ancient plants and microorganisms buried under Earth’s layers, transforming slowly under pressure and heat. We extract and burn these fuels much faster than they can form, so once they’re used up, they won’t be readily available again for a very long time. In contrast, biomass comes from plants and biological waste that can be regrown or recycled; wind energy comes from the ongoing movement of air, and solar energy comes from the sun’s rays, which are continuously available. Those sources can be replenished relatively quickly, making them renewable.

Nonrenewable resources cannot be replenished on a human timescale and are finite, formed over millions of years. Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—originate from ancient plants and microorganisms buried under Earth’s layers, transforming slowly under pressure and heat. We extract and burn these fuels much faster than they can form, so once they’re used up, they won’t be readily available again for a very long time.

In contrast, biomass comes from plants and biological waste that can be regrown or recycled; wind energy comes from the ongoing movement of air, and solar energy comes from the sun’s rays, which are continuously available. Those sources can be replenished relatively quickly, making them renewable.