Nonrenewable Resources

Definition

Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replenished within a human lifespan, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and minerals. Once they are depleted, they cannot be easily replaced.

Related terms

Fossil Fuels:

Carbon-based fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years.

Mineral Extraction: The process of extracting valuable minerals from the Earth's crust for various purposes.

Depletion Rate: The speed at which nonrenewable resources are being used up compared to their rate of formation.