Energy Resources: Renewable and Non-Renewable

Energy resources can be differentiated into two types: renewable and non-renewable.

Renewable resources, include wind, water, solar, and geothermal and are derived from sources that regenerate as fast as they are consumed. Some renewable resources, such as biofuels produced from agricultural crops and other plants, are replenished each year.

Non-renewable resources, including fossil fuels and nuclear material are extracted from the earth and can be depleted over time. These resources have been the most utilised type of energy in the 21st century. However, concerns surrounding their long-term use has increased in recent decades owing to the damage such resources cause to environmental and human health.

However, when considering the merits of both renewable and non-renewable energy resources, it is  important to assess the economic, environmental and social consequences of utilising such energy forms as evidence from natural gas fracking, peatlands extraction and wind energy in Ireland demonstrates.