---
title: "Short note: Renewable and non-renewable resources"
subject: "Technology, Environment and Society"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:renewable-nonrenewable-resources"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/renewable-nonrenewable-resources
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Renewable and non-renewable resources

Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 4: Environment

- Asked in: 2071 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Video: [Non-Renewable Energy Vs Renewable Energy Sources](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI0zx7xq0M0) — Go Green Post
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/renewable-nonrenewable-resources
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-4

## Question

Write a short note on renewable and non renewable resources.

## Short answer

Renewable resources are replenished naturally on a human time scale, such as solar, wind, water, forests and biomass, and can be used indefinitely if managed. Non-renewable resources are finite and formed over millions of years, including coal, oil, gas and minerals. Nepal has large hydropower potential but imports almost all petroleum.

## Answer

Natural resources are materials and energy from nature that people use. Based on whether they can be replaced, they are divided into renewable and non-renewable resources.

#### Renewable resources
Resources that are **naturally replenished** in a short time (human time scale), if used wisely.
- Examples: solar energy, wind, water (hydropower), forests, biomass, fish, wildlife, fertile soil.
- They can be used again and again, but some (forest, soil, groundwater) can be exhausted if used faster than they regenerate.
- Nepal is rich in renewable resources: large hydropower potential, forests, solar and biomass.

#### Non-renewable resources
Resources formed over **millions of years** and present in a fixed amount; once used they cannot be replaced in human time.
- Examples: coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium, metallic minerals (iron, copper), stone and sand deposits.
- Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂ and causes air pollution and climate change.
- Nepal imports almost all its petroleum, which is a heavy burden on its trade balance.

| Basis | Renewable | Non-renewable |
|---|---|---|
| Regeneration | Natural, fast | Very slow or none |
| Stock | Unlimited if managed | Limited, finite |
| Examples | Sun, wind, water, forest | Coal, oil, gas, minerals |
| Pollution | Usually low | Usually high |
| Cost over time | Low running cost | Rising as stocks fall |

**Wise use:** shift to renewable energy, use non-renewable resources efficiently, recycle minerals and manage renewable resources sustainably.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What defines a renewable resource?
   A. Always pollutes
   B. Naturally replenished in a short human time scale
   C. Formed over millions of years
   D. Present in fixed amount
   Answer: B. Renewables regenerate quickly if used wisely. (Key point: Renewable definition)

2. Which statement is correct about renewable resources?
   A. They are all inexhaustible
   B. They are finite fossil deposits
   C. Some like forest, soil and groundwater can be exhausted if used faster than they regenerate
   D. They can never be exhausted
   Answer: C. Overuse can exhaust renewables too. (Key point: Exhaustible renewable)

3. Which is a non-renewable resource?
   A. Wind
   B. Solar
   C. Fish
   D. Coal, petroleum and metallic minerals
   Answer: D. They formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced. (Key point: Non-renewable example)

## Related in other subjects

- [Conventional vs renewable energy for generation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fpower_system_analysis_i%3Aconventional-vs-renewable-generation) — Power System Analysis I, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [World renewable trends and impact on Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fpower_plant_design%3Aworld-renewable-trend-nepal) — Power Plant Design, chapter 1
- [Renewable energy and trapping solar energy](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aenergy-renewable-solar-066j) — Building Technology, chapter 1