Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources differ in a number of ways, but the most fundamental difference is that renewable energy sources can be replenished within a human timescale, while nonrenewable energy sources cannot.
Renewable energy sources come from natural resources that are constantly being replenished, such as sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat. Nonrenewable energy sources, on the other hand, come from resources that are finite and will eventually be depleted, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and nuclear fuel.
Here is a more detailed comparison of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources:
Renewable energy sources
- Can be replenished within a human timescale
- Generally have low environmental impact
- Becoming increasingly cost-competitive
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Geothermal energy
- Biomass energy
Nonrenewable energy sources
- Cannot be replenished within a human timescale
- Generally have high environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution
- Becoming increasingly scarce and expensive
- Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas)
- Nuclear fuel
Therefore, the statement that best describes a difference between nonrenewable and renewable energy sources is:
Renewable energy sources can be replenished within a human timescale, while nonrenewable energy sources cannot.
This difference is critical because it means that renewable energy sources can be used sustainably, while nonrenewable energy sources cannot. As we transition to a more sustainable future, it is important to shift away from nonrenewable energy sources and towards renewable energy sources.