Resources are characterized as renewable or nonrenewable; a renewable resource can replenish itself at the rate it is used, while a nonrenewable resource has a limited supply. Renewable resources include timber, wind, and solar while nonrenewable resources include coal and natural gas.

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.

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.

A nonrenewable resource is a natural substance that is not replenished with the speed at which it is consumed. Renewable resources are the opposite: Their supply replenishes naturally or can be sustained. The sunlight used in solar power and the wind used to power wind turbines replenish themselves.

Essentially, a renewable resource, such as solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal pressure, has an endless supply . Other resources are considered renewable even though some time or effort must go into their renewal (e.g., wood, oxygen, leather, and fish).

The main advantages of non-renewable energies is that they are abundant and affordable. For example, oil and diesel are still good choices for powering vehicles. Non-renewable energy is cost effective and easier to product and use.

Types of biofuel include biodiesel, an alternative to oil, and green diesel, which is made from algae and other plants. Other renewable resources include oxygen and solar energy. Wind and water are also used to create renewable energy. For example, windmills harness the wind’s natural power and turn it into energy.

Non-renewable sources include fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil) and nuclear energy. The world’s attention is increasingly focused on alternative forms of energy. At the same time, there are growing pressures to convert forests to grow instead crops other than trees to be used for fuel.

Trees are renewable resources. Trees can be planted, grown up, and harvested for timber. Forests are a different thing, however. A forest is a renewable resource but it takes much more time to grow a forest than to grow a stand of trees.

The three R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – represent the best strategy for conserving non-renewable oil, coal and natural gas.

Why is energy from the sun renewable? Because the earth continuously receives solar energy from the sun, it is considered a renewable resource.

Top five examples of renewable resources

• Solar energy.
• Wind energy.
• Geothermal energy.
• Hydropower.
• Bioenergy.

Examples of Reusable Resources

• Gift packaging.
• Veggie Remnants.
• Shopping bags.
• Old bedding and towels.
• Packing materials.
• Food storage containers.
• Travel mugs and bottles. Plastic, throw-away water bottles have become the poster-child for modern day wastefulness and pollution.
• Old electronics. Computer technology moves fast, there’s no denying.