Most non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels: coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Carbon is the main element in fossil fuels.

Both coal and oil are fossil fuels. That means they’re formed from organic matter – stuff that was alive on Earth millions of years ago – that was covered by heavy layers of rock. Both coal and oil are carbon-based fuels – they’re made up mostly of carbon and hydrogen.

There are four major types of nonrenewable resources: oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy. Oil, natural gas, and coal are collectively called fossil fuels.

Most non-renewable resources are minerals, which are mined, for example, gold, iron ore, titanium. Coal and oil are known as fossil fuels and are also non-renewable.

Metals are not a renewable resource. They are found in rock, called ore, which is a part of the earth’s crust. There is a finite amount of metal in the earth, and there is a financial and environmental cost to mining and refining it into a usable product.

Sunlight, water, wind, woods, forest, are the renewable resources. Petrol, coal, nuclear energy, natural gas are typical examples of non-renewable resources. Renewable resources can be used again and again. Non-Renewable resources have a limited supply and once used cannot be regained.

The most popular renewable energy sources currently are:

• Solar energy.
• Wind energy.
• Hydro energy.
• Tidal energy.
• Geothermal energy.
• Biomass energy.

Rocks and soils are also considered to be non-renewable resources because they take so long to be replaced. Living things are a resource for humans and other organisms. Water, rocks, air and soil supply the materials needed for all life.

Rocks and soils are also considered to be non-renewable resources because they take so long to be replaced. Living things are a resource for humans and other organisms. For instance, animals eat plants and other animals. Sometimes living things even use other organisms as places to live.