Which statement best describes a non-renewable resource?

Which statement best describes a non-renewable resource?

• A. Replenished quickly
• B. Can be recycled indefinitely
• C. Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas
• D. They are resources that cannot be replenished on a human time scale

Answer: (D)

Non-renewable resources are finite and cannot be replenished on a human time scale. They form over millions of years from ancient organic material, so once we use them, the remaining supply won’t be replaced quickly. Coal, oil, and natural gas illustrate this trait well, since their formation and restoration take geological timescales. That defining idea—they cannot be replenished within a timeframe meaningful to humans—is why this statement is the best description. By contrast, renewable resources replenish relatively quickly, and recycling, while useful, does not make non-renewables replenishable.

Non-renewable resources are finite and cannot be replenished on a human time scale. They form over millions of years from ancient organic material, so once we use them, the remaining supply won’t be replaced quickly. Coal, oil, and natural gas illustrate this trait well, since their formation and restoration take geological timescales. That defining idea—they cannot be replenished within a timeframe meaningful to humans—is why this statement is the best description. By contrast, renewable resources replenish relatively quickly, and recycling, while useful, does not make non-renewables replenishable.