What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

The correct response highlights a fundamental aspect of resource management and environmental science. Renewable resources are defined by their ability to be replenished naturally within a short timescale, such as sunlight, wind, or biomass. This means that as we use these resources, they can be continuously generated and do not run out on a human timescale, allowing for sustainable use.

In contrast, non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and minerals, are formed over millions of years and, once consumed, cannot be replaced within a human lifetime. The extraction and consumption of these resources lead to depletion, making them finite and limited.

The other options do not accurately portray the essential characteristics that differentiate renewable from non-renewable resources. For example, the idea that non-renewable resources are always abundant is misleading, as many are rapidly depleting. Similarly, stating that renewable resources can be created synthetically confuses the natural replenishment aspect, and claiming that renewable resources are fossil fuels is incorrect, as fossil fuels are classified as non-renewable due to their long formation period and lack of rapid replenishment.