What are Resources?
Mother earth has endowed us with various natural assets. These assets are available since the planet was inhabited, and are known as resources. Resources mean the mode of stock through which an individual earns profit. Natural resources can be defined as those types of resources which are naturally occuring on the Earth. Natural resources can be categorized into biotic and abiotic.Biotic (living things) include plants and their products, animals and their products, birds and their products, mineral fuels such as petroleum/oil/coal etc., and marine organisms. Abiotics (Non-living things) include water, minerals, air, and sunlight.
Resources have innumerous benefits, such as plants provide us with fruits, vegetables, flowers, rubber, paper, medicine etc.. Water is applicable in various purposes such as cleaning and drinking. Conversely, sunlight can be availed in the form of solar energy. Plants benefit mankind through the process of photosynthesis, by providing them with oxygen and carbon dioxide. Various fossil fuels such as petrol and coal play a “source of energy” for various machines.
Based on certain benchmarks we can segregate the natural resources into two classes: renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
One of the key factors relying on which all the natural resources are classified is their renewability. This content provides us with detailed illustrations regarding various renewable and non-renewable resources of Earth and the contrast between them.
Renewable Resources
Some common examples of renewable resources are water, wind, tides, earth, ocean currents, biomass etc. All of these resources are accessible naturally and are not much influenced by any living organism. Renewable resources can also be termed as “perpetual resources.”
Therefore, it is the responsibility of mankind to take crucial measures to shield mother earth along with the resources.
Non-Renewable Resources
Non-renewable resources are also termed as “exhaustible resources.” Various fossil fuels such as petrol and coal ply as “source of energy” for various machineries are relevant examples of non-renewable resources.
Advantages of Renewable Resources
Renewable resources have several benefits such as:
Unlimited fuel supply.
Renewable resources are made from sources that replenish naturally.
Unlike natural gas or mineral ores that require mining and are depleted with time, renewable resources never run out.
Environment friendly with zero carbon emissions.
Renewable resources do not produce greenhouse gases, pollutants. Instead, these resources decarbonize the world.
These resources generate emission-free energy.
Being available in nature, renewable resources are economical. They serve as an affordable source of electricity generated through solar power and wind energy.
Clean air and water.
Renewable resources cause no contamination of air and water. Instead, these resources help improve the quality of natural energy sources.
Advantages of Non-Renewable Resources
The benefits of non-renewable resources include:
Abundant sources.
Various non-renewable resources are available such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. In addition, as per national geography, many reservoirs of non-renewable resources are available around the world.
Cost-effective.
Non-renewable resources are cost-effective and are easier to use and produce.
Conclusion
The assets which are available on the planet since it was inhabited are known as resources.
Natural resources can be defined as those types of resources that are naturally procurable on Earth’s surface.
Two types of natural resources are biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living).
One of the key factors relying on which the natural resources are classified is their renewability.
Some common examples of renewable resources are water, wind, tides, earth, ocean currents, biomass, forest, plants, sunlight etc.
Some common examples of non-renewable resources are petrol and coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, batteries, etc.
The cost of renewable resources is very low and they are pollution-free.
The burning of non-renewable resources has adverse effects on the health of mankind due to smoke emission, carcinogenic radiations, etc.
FAQs on Difference Between Renewable and Non Renewable Resources
1. What are the disadvantages of renewable resources?
Renewable resources have higher capital costs. Although they do not require fuel to produce energy, the up-front cost of it is more. For example, a solar system generates power for less cost, but the initial installation cost of a solar panel is more. The energy produced from renewable sources is unreliable as it is dependent on natural factors such as the sun, wind which humans cannot control. Also, energy storage is troublesome as it requires a lot of space.
2. What are the cons of non-renewable resources?
Non-renewable resources deplete over time. As a result, these resources have a higher carbon footprint and more carbon emissions. Transporting non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels, extraction of natural gas, mining of ores can cause accidents like oil spills, nuclear explosions, and gas leaks. The accidents harm not just nature but also humanity. Non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels are the primary cause of global warming.
3. What is common between renewable and non-renewable resources?
Both renewable and non-renewable resources produce energy. Usage of both as energy powerhouses costs money. The generation and usage of both these resources produce job opportunities. Biomass and other by-products produced from the consumption of these resources are helpful. Renewable and non-renewable resources empower the world and help in a flourishing life. Both these resources are produced by nature.
4. How to find if an energy source is renewable or non-renewable?
Renewable resources have an abundant source of energy. While non-renewable resources need to be mined or extracted. To determine whether a source is renewable or non-renewable, analyze its fundamental source. Then, find out whether the source has chances of depletion or not. For example, the wind is produced naturally, so it is a renewable resource; nuclear power, which needs to be extracted, is non-renewable.
