Registered Environmental Manager (REM) Practice Exam

Which description best fits a non-renewable resource?

1. A resource that replenishes quickly

2. A resource that is used faster than it can be replaced

3. A resource that forms over a short time period

4. A resource found only in specific geographical regions

The correct answer is: A resource that is used faster than it can be replaced

The description that identifies a non-renewable resource is characterized by being used faster than it can be replaced. Non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and minerals, have formation processes that take millions of years; once they are extracted and consumed, they do not regenerate within a human time scale. This means that their depletion occurs at a rate that far exceeds the natural replacement rate, leading to eventual scarcity. In contrast, the other descriptions do not accurately reflect the nature of non-renewable resources. Resources that replenish quickly or form over a short time period are typically considered renewable resources, such as solar energy, wind, or biomass, which can be regenerated in a relatively short span. Describing resources as only found in specific geographical regions does not inherently convey whether they are renewable or non-renewable, as both types can be found in limited areas.