nonrenewable
Cannot be replenished
Nonrenewable describes resources that cannot be replenished once depleted, or can only be restored over geological timescales.
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, natural gas—are the classic examples: nonrenewable energy sources.
The term usually appears in environmental and economic discussions contrasting finite resources with renewable alternatives like solar or wind power.
Able to be used up
- limitedRestricted in extent
- scarceIn short supply
- depletableAble to be consumed
- irreplaceableHaving no adequate substitute
bounded · fixed · restricted · constrained · dwindling · diminishing · unsustainable · terminal
Natural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
- crudeUnpolished, raw state
bitumen · tar sands · oil shale · peat · anthracite · lignite · methane · hydrocarbons
State of utter depletion
- overconsumptionExcessive use of resources
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- drainageLiquid removal system
- degradationDecline in condition
wastage · squandering · overuse · extraction · mining · drilling · harvesting · drawdown
Element ninety-two
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- rare earthsMetallic elements, misleadingly named
- lithiumLightest solid element
cobalt · helium · aquifer · groundwater · ore · mining · metals · extraction
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
recycling · alternatives · transition · curtailment · management · prudence · moratorium · protection
exhaustible
Able to be used up
- limitedRestricted in extent
- scarceIn short supply
- depletableAble to be consumed
irreplaceable · bounded · fixed · restricted · constrained · dwindling · diminishing · unsustainable · terminal · countable
petroleum
Natural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
crude · bitumen · tar sands · oil shale · peat · anthracite · lignite · methane · hydrocarbons · fossil fuels
exhaustion
State of utter depletion
- overconsumptionExcessive use of resources
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- drainageLiquid removal system
degradation · wastage · squandering · overuse · extraction · mining · drilling · harvesting · drawdown · deficit
uranium
Element ninety-two
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- rare earthsMetallic elements, misleadingly named
lithium · cobalt · helium · aquifer · groundwater · ore · mining · metals · extraction · deposits
sustainability
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
- efficiencyProductive without waste
rationing · recycling · alternatives · transition · curtailment · management · prudence · moratorium · protection · regulation
- resourcesresources, money, natural resources, human resources, financial resources
- "Non-" wordsnonprofit, nonfiction, nonstop, nonsense, nonfat
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- fuelsgasoline, diesel, coal, gas, petrol
nonrenewablerenewable
Capable of restoration
replenishable · regenerative · inexhaustible · recyclable · perpetual
nonrenewablerenewable
Capable of restoration
sustainable · green · clean · eco-friendly · environmentally friendly
- nonrenewable resourceMaterial that cannot replenish
- nonrenewable fuelExhaustible combustion resource
renew, renewal, renewed, renewing, renewable, nonrenewal, unrenewable