What is a common nonrenewable resource?

Coal is considered a common nonrenewable resource because it is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that are buried under layers of sediment and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. The process of coal formation takes an extremely long time, and the rate at which we extract and consume coal far exceeds the natural rate of its formation. Consequently, once we deplete accessible coal reserves, we cannot replenish them on a human timescale, making coal a nonrenewable resource.

In contrast, wind, solar energy, and water are classified as renewable resources. They can be naturally replenished over short periods: wind is generated by natural atmospheric processes, solar energy is derived from the sun’s rays, and water can cycle through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Each of these resources can be used sustainably without the risk of depletion, unlike coal, which is finite and will eventually run out if continued to be mined and consumed at current rates.