Are renewable and nonrenewable resources different?

Yes. The U.S. Energy Information Administration explains that all energy sources are either renewable or nonrenewable. Nonrenewable sources—petroleum, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy from uranium—have limited supplies that take a very long time to form, so they can be depleted as we extract and use them.

Renewable sources are constantly replenished by nature. EIA lists five major ones: solar, geothermal, wind, biomass, and hydropower. They are virtually inexhaustible in total supply, though day-to-day availability can vary (for example, solar power depends on daylight).

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration — Sources of energy

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