essay about non renewable resources

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Nonrenewable resources.

Nonrenewable energy resources include coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear energy. Once these resources are used up, they cannot be replaced, which is a major problem for humanity as we are currently dependent on them to supply most of our energy needs.

Chemistry, Conservation, Earth Science

Coal-fire Plant

An aerial view of a coal-fired power plant in Mount Storm, West Virginia, taken in June 2012.

Photograph by Getty Images.

Renewable and nonrenewable resources are energy sources that human society uses to function on a daily basis. The difference between these two types of resources is that renewable resources can naturally replenish themselves while nonrenewable resources cannot. This means that nonrenewable resources are limited in supply and cannot be used sustainably.

There are four major types of nonrenewable resources: oil, natural gas, coal , and nuclear energy . Oil, natural gas, and coal are collectively called fossil fuels . Fossil fuels were formed within the Earth from dead plants and animals over millions of years—hence the name “fossil” fuels . They are found in underground layers of rock and sediment. Pressure and heat worked together to transform the plant and animal remains into crude oil (also known as petroleum), coal , and natural gas.

The plants and animals that became fossil fuels lived in a time called Carboniferous Period , around 300 to 360 million years ago. The energy in the plant and animal remains originally came from the sun; through the process of photosynthesis, solar energy is st ored in plant tissues, which animals then consume, adding the energy to their own bodies. When fossil fuels are burned, this trapped energy is released.

Crude oil is a liquid fuel   fossil fuel that is used mostly to produce gasoline and diesel fuel for vehicles, and for the manufacturing of plastics. It is found in rocks below Earth’s surface and is pumped out through wells.

Natural gas is widely used for cooking and for heating homes. It consists mostly of methane and is found near oil deposits below Earth’s surface. Natural gas can be pumped out through the same wells used for extracting crude oil.

Coal is a solid fossil fuel that is used for heating homes and generating power plants . It is found in fossilized swamps that have been buried beneath layers of sediment. Since coal is solid, it cannot be extracted in the same manner as crude oil or natural gas; it must be dug up from the ground.

Nuclear energy comes from radioactive elements, mainly uranium , which is extracted from mined ore and then refined into fuel .

Unfortunately, human society is—for the time being—dependent on nonrenewable resources as its primary source of energy. Approximately 80 percent of the total amount of energy used globally each year comes from fossil fuels. We depend on fossil fuels because they are energy-rich and relatively cheap to process. But a major problem with fossil fuels, aside from their being in limited supply, is that burning them releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Rising levels of heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the main cause of global warming.

Alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar energy, are a possible solution to the depletion of nonrenewable sources. Both of these clean energy sources are available in unlimited supply.

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Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources   Recently updated !

In the era of rapid technological advancement and environmental awareness, the distinction between renewable and nonrenewable resources is critically important. Let’s explore these two categories of resources, their definitions, examples, and the implications of their use, especially in the context of energy production.

What Are Renewable Resources?

Renewable resources are those that replenish naturally in a relatively short timeframe. These resources are sustainable as they can be used indefinitely without depletion, provided they are managed responsibly. Nonrenewable resources, on the other hand, are either finite or else they replenish very slowly, usually over geological time spans. Once these resources run out, they’re gone.

The time frame that distinguishes renewable resources from nonrenewable resources is not precisely defined, as it depends on various factors such as the rate of consumption and the natural replenishment rate of the resource. However, here is a general guideline:

• Renewable Resources: These replenish on a human timescale, meaning they restore naturally at a rate comparable to or faster than the rate of human consumption. This time frame ranges from a few hours (like sunlight) to several decades (such as forest regrowth). The key aspect is that the resource is sustainable without running the risk of depletion.
• Nonrenewable Resources: In contrast, nonrenewable resources exist in finite amounts or replenish over vast time scales, which are much longer than human lifespans or even the lifespan of human civilizations. This ranges from thousands to millions of years. For instance, fossil fuels like coal and petroleum took millions of years to form and won’t replenish within a human time frame once depleted.

10 Examples of Renewable Resources

The food we eat, crops that supply materials for various purposes, and anything relating to energy from the Sun or Earth are renewable. Air and water are also renewable, up to a point.

• Agricultural Products: Crops and livestock regenerate seasonally or annually. Wild food sources are also renewable with management.
• Solar Energy: Energy from the sun.
• Wind Energy: Energy from wind.
• Hydropower: Energy from the movement of water in rivers, streams, or dams.
• Biomass: Organic material from plants and animals used as fuel.
• Geothermal Energy: Heat from the Earth’s interior.
• Tidal Energy: Energy from the movement of tides, a form of hydropower.
• Wave Energy: Energy from the surface motion of oceans or lakes.
• Biofuels: Fuels from organic materials, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
• Ambient Heat: Energy from the air or water temperature differences in the environment.

10 Examples of Nonrenewable Resources

• Coal: A fossil fuel primarily for electricity generation and industrial processes.
• Crude Oil: A liquid fossil fuel that yields gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products.
• Natural Gas: A gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane, used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation.
• Nuclear Energy: Comes from the nuclear reactions of elements like uranium . Note this applies to fission . Fusion is theoretically a renewable form of nuclear energy. Power from radioactive decay isn’t renewable, exactly, but some decay processes occur over thousands, millions, or billions of years.
• Minerals : Such as gold, silver, and copper, which are mined from the Earth.
• Metal Ores: Iron, aluminum, and zinc ores which are extracted and refined.
• Phosphates: Used for fertilizers and limited in supply.
• Rare Earth Elements: Essential for modern electronics and have limited sources.
• Sand : Used in construction, glass making, etc., and facing scarcity in certain locations.
• Topsoil: Essential for agriculture; its depletion is a concern in many areas due to erosion and overuse.

Is Water a Renewable Resource?

Some resources are technically renewable, yet their replacement isn’t quite fast enough for sustainability. For example, depending on the situation, water is either a renewable or nonrenewable resource.

Water as a Renewable Resource

In its natural cycle, water is considered renewable. It goes through a continuous process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation (the hydrological cycle), which replenishes freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers over time. This cycle is powered by the sun, and as long as the sun shines, the water cycle will continue.

Situations Where Water Is Nonrenewable

However, there are scenarios where water is effectively a nonrenewable resource:

• Overuse of Groundwater: In some areas, groundwater extraction is faster than the rate at which is replenishes naturally. This is common in agricultural and densely populated regions. When aquifers deplete faster than they recharge, water is effectively nonrenewable.
• Pollution: Water contaminated by pollutants becomes unusable. If the contamination is severe and persistent, the affected water source is nonrenewable since it cannot be naturally cleaned and replenished at a viable rate.
• Climate Change and Drought: Climate change alters weather patterns, leading to droughts in areas that previously had abundant water. This turns previously renewable sources of water into nonrenewable ones, at least temporarily.
• Geographical Limitations: In certain arid regions, the natural replenishment of water sources is extremely limited. In these areas, the availability of naturally occurring fresh water is so low that it functions more like a nonrenewable resource.

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy

Energy is a fundamental requirement for modern civilization, and its generation comes from both renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Examples of 10 Renewable Energy Sources

• Solar Power: Energy from sunlight using solar panels.
• Wind Power: Energy from wind using turbines.
• Hydropower: Energy from the movement of water in rivers, dams, or tidal currents.
• Biomass Energy: Energy from organic materials like wood, crop waste, and biogas.
• Geothermal Energy: Heat energy from the Earth’s internal heat.
• Tidal Energy: Energy from the rise and fall of tides.
• Wave Energy: Energy from surface waves on oceans or lakes.
• Biofuels: Fuels from organic materials, such as ethanol from corn or biodiesel from vegetable oil.
• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): Utilizing temperature differences between surface and deep ocean waters for energy production.
• Solar Thermal Power: Uses sunlight to produce heat, which then generates electricity (different from photovoltaic solar power).

Examples of 10 Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Generally speaking, fossil fuels and anything mined from the ground counts as nonrenewable. This includes minerals, elements, chemicals for batteries, and nuclear fuels.

• Coal: Burned for electricity generation and industrial applications.
• Crude Oil: Refined into gasoline, diesel, and other fuels.
• Natural Gas: Used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation.
• Nuclear Power: Energy produced from nuclear reactions, often using uranium.
• Peat: An accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter, used similarly to coal.
• Oil Shale: Sedimentary rock containing organic matter converted into oil through processing.
• Tar Sands (Bitumen): A combination of clay, sand, water, and bitumen, processed to extract crude oil.
• Diesel: A type of fuel derived from crude oil, used in various engines.
• Propane: A byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, used as fuel.
• Kerosene: A lighter fuel derived from petroleum, used for heating, lighting, and jet engines.

Environmental Impact, Cost, and Infrastructure

1. Environmental Impact:

• Renewable Energy: Generally has a lower environmental impact. For example, solar and wind power produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, their production and disposal has environmental effects.
• Nonrenewable Energy: Typically has a significant environmental impact, particularly fossil fuels, which are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
• Renewable Energy: Initially high investment costs but low operational costs. The cost of technologies like solar and wind power is decreasing over time.
• Nonrenewable Energy: Often cheaper in terms of upfront costs but has higher long-term costs, considering factors like environmental damage and health impacts.

3. Infrastructure Requirements:

• Renewable Energy: Requires significant infrastructure investment, such as wind farms or solar panels. Some renewable sources are also location-dependent.
• Nonrenewable Energy: Established infrastructure in most places, but extraction and transportation are challenging and environmentally damaging.

Cases Where Renewable Energy Is Not “Greener”

Renewable energy offers hope for clean, green power. But, there are scenarios where renewable energy sources is not environmentally superior. For example:

• Biomass Energy: Leads to deforestation and increase in carbon emissions if not managed sustainably.
• Hydropower: Large dams disrupt ecosystems and displace communities.
• Solar Panels and Wind Turbines: Their production involves energy-intensive processes and materials that are harmful if not disposed of properly. Wind turbines also pose risks to wildlife.

Pros and Cons of Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy

Pros of Renewable Energy:

• Sustainable and inexhaustible.
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
• Potential for local job creation.

Cons of Renewable Energy:

• Higher initial costs.
• Intermittency issues (e.g., solar energy is not produced at night).
• Requires large areas for some technologies.
• Environmental impact in manufacturing and disposal.

Pros of Nonrenewable Energy:

• Reliable and consistent energy supply.
• Established infrastructure and technology.
• Lower initial investment in many cases.

Cons of Nonrenewable Energy:

• Finite and unsustainable in the long term.
• Significant environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Health risks associated with pollution.
• Vulnerable to market and geopolitical fluctuations.

The choice between renewable and nonrenewable resources is not just a matter of replacing one with the other; it involves a complex consideration of environmental impacts, costs, infrastructure needs, and technological advancements. While renewable energy is often seen as the greener alternative, its implementation requires careful management to minimize negative impacts. Balancing the pros and cons of both types of resources is essential for a sustainable and responsible energy future.

• Ang, Tze-Zhang; Salem, Mohamed; et al. (2022). “A comprehensive study of renewable energy sources: Classifications, challenges and suggestions”. Energy Strategy Reviews . 43: 100939. doi: 10.1016/j.esr.2022.100939
• Committee on 21st Century Systems Agriculture (2010). Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century . National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-14896-2.
• Nikolau, Basil J.; Perera, M. Ann D.N.; et al. (2008). “Platform biochemicals for a biorenewable chemical industry”. The Plant Journal . 54 (4): 536–545. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2008.03484.x
• Owusu, Phebe Asantewaa; Asumadu-Sarkodie, Samuel (2016). “A review of renewable energy sources, sustainability issues and climate change mitigation”. Cogent Engineering . 3 (1): 1167990. doi: 10.1080/23311916.2016.1167990

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Essay on Non Renewable Resources

Students are often asked to write an essay on Non Renewable Resources in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Non Renewable Resources

What are non renewable resources.

Non renewable resources are things we use for energy that can’t be replaced once they are used up. Like a snack that’s all gone after you eat it, these resources are finished once we use them. Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples. They are buried deep in the earth and took millions of years to form.

Why Are They Important?

We rely on non renewable resources to do many things. They help us drive cars, heat our homes, and make electricity. Without them, many of our machines would stop working. They are a big part of our daily life.

The Problem with Using Them

The trouble with these resources is that they cause pollution, which harms our planet. Also, because they can’t be replaced quickly, we could run out of them if we use too much. This is why finding other ways to make energy is important.

Also check:

• Paragraph on Non Renewable Resources

250 Words Essay on Non Renewable Resources

Non renewable resources are materials found on Earth that cannot be made again quickly. They take millions of years to form. Once we use them up, they are gone for a very, very long time. Examples include coal, natural gas, oil, and minerals like gold and diamonds.

These resources are important because they help us in our daily lives. We use oil and gas to run our cars and heat our homes. Coal can be burned to create electricity. Minerals are used to make things like phones, computers, and jewelry.

The Big Problem

The main issue with non renewable resources is that they are running out. Since they take so long to form, we can’t just make more when we want to. This means we have to be careful about how much we use. If we use too much too fast, there won’t be any left for people in the future.

What Can We Do?

We can do things to help save these resources. One way is to use less energy by turning off lights when we leave a room. We can also recycle and use things made from recycled materials. Lastly, we can use renewable resources like wind and solar power. These can be made again and again and don’t run out.

Non renewable resources are a big part of our lives, but we must use them wisely to make sure there is enough for everyone, now and in the future.

500 Words Essay on Non Renewable Resources

Non renewable resources are materials found on Earth that cannot be made again or take a very long time to form. Think of them like a pack of candies. Once you eat all the candies, they are gone, and you can’t get more unless you go to the store. But unlike candies, we can’t go to a store to get more non renewable resources. These include things like coal, oil, natural gas, and certain minerals like gold and diamonds.

Types of Non Renewable Resources

There are two main types of non renewable resources: fossil fuels and minerals. Fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas, are used for energy. They were made millions of years ago from dead plants and animals. Minerals are solid materials, like gold, silver, and iron, that are dug up from the ground. These are used to make jewelry, build buildings, and many other things.

Why Do We Use Them?

We use non renewable resources because they are powerful sources of energy and are very useful. For example, we burn coal, oil, and gas to make electricity, which powers our homes and gadgets. Cars and buses run on gasoline, which is made from oil. Minerals are used to make phones, computers, and even the wires that carry electricity.

The Problems with Using Non Renewable Resources

Using non renewable resources can cause problems. When we burn fossil fuels, it makes the air dirty. This dirty air is not good for our health and can harm animals and plants too. It also makes the Earth warmer, which can lead to big changes in the weather and harm the places where animals live. Mining for minerals can also hurt the land and make it hard for plants to grow.

Running Out of Non Renewable Resources

Since non renewable resources can’t be made again quickly, we can run out of them. We have used a lot of these resources, and they are getting harder to find. This means they can become more expensive and not everyone can afford them. It also means we need to think of new ways to get energy and make things.

We can do a few things to help. We can use less energy by turning off lights when we don’t need them and walking instead of using the car. We can also use things that can be made again, like wind and sun, to get energy. Recycling is important too, because it means we use less new minerals.

Non renewable resources are like a treasure that we are using up very fast. We need to be careful with how we use them because they won’t last forever. By using less and finding new ways to get energy, we can take care of our planet and make sure there is enough for everyone, even in the future.

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AP®︎/College Environmental science

Course: ap®︎/college environmental science   >   unit 5.

• Renewable and nonrenewable energy resources

Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources

• Global energy use
• Intro to energy resources and consumption
• Nonrenewable energy sources are those that are consumed faster than they can be replaced. Nonrenewable energy sources include nuclear energy as well as fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, and natural gas. These energy sources have a finite supply, and often emit harmful pollutants into the environment.
• Renewable energy sources are those that are naturally replenished on a relatively short timescale. Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy. They also include biomass and hydrogen fuels. These energy sources are sustainable and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels.

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• Nonrenewable Resources
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Nonrenewable Resource: Definition, Features, and Examples

Investopedia / Zoe Hansen

What Are Nonrenewable Resources?

The term nonrenewable resource refers to a natural substance that is not replenished with the speed at which it is consumed. As such, a nonrenewable resource is a finite resource. Humans constantly draw on the reserves of these substances while the formation of new supplies takes eons. Examples of nonrenewable resources include fossil fuels like oil, natural gas , and coal. The opposite of a nonrenewable resource is a renewable resource . The supplies of these resources replenish naturally or can be sustained.

Key Takeaways

• A nonrenewable resource is a substance that is used up more quickly than it can replace itself.
• The supply of a nonrenewable resource is finite, which means it cannot easily be replenished
• Nonrenewable resources are extracted directly from the Earth.
• Most fossil fuels, minerals, and metal ores are nonrenewable resources.
• The opposite of nonrenewable resources is renewable ones, whose supplies are abundant and are considered sustainable.

Understanding Nonrenewable Resources

Nonrenewable resources come directly from the earth. This can be directly from the ground or a mine. The reserves of these substances took billions of years to form, and it will take billions of years to replace the supplies used. As such, the supplies of nonrenewable resources are finite and cannot be replaced. Humans extract these resources in gas, liquid, or solid form and then convert them to suit their needs.

Crude oil , natural gas, coal, and uranium are nonrenewable resources. These are all processed into products that can be used commercially. For instance, the fossil fuel industry extracts crude oil from the ground and converts it to gasoline. Fossil fuel liquids also are refined into petrochemical products that are used as ingredients in the manufacture of literally hundreds of products from plastics and polyurethane to solvents.

Some types of groundwater are considered nonrenewable resources if the aquifer is unable to be replenished at the same rate at which it's drained.

Most societies are heavily dependent on nonrenewable resources, especially for energy. It's estimated that about 80% of all of the world's energy is consumed using fossil fuels. Not only does this put a huge strain on the available supply but it also has a major impact on the environment. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which leads to climate change .

In economic terms, nonrenewables are resources of financial or economic value that cannot be readily replaced at the speed with which they are being consumed.

Nonrenewable Resources vs. Renewable Resources

Nonrenewable resources are contrasted with renewable ones. The supplies of renewable resources are abundant and endless, which makes them easy to find and easy to replace. Unlike nonrenewable ones, renewable resources are generally sustainable. While the former can be depleted, the latter can't.

The sun, wind, and water are the most common examples of renewable resources. Others include lumber (which can be replenished through planting), the earth's heat (geothermal), and biomass.

The call to use renewable resources, especially as energy sources, is becoming more common. That's because our dependence on and consumption of nonrenewable resources is causing a rapid decline in supplies and leading to climate change. Clean energy sources include solar energy and turbines that are powered by wind. These easily replenish themselves and don't have a detrimental impact on the environment.

What about metals and minerals that come from the earth, such as gold, silver, and iron? These may be nonrenewable or renewable resources, depending on who you ask. They can fall into the former category because they are extracted from the Earth. But some people consider them renewable and sustainable because they are abundant and can be used and recycled.

Fossil Fuels and Nonrenewable Resources

Fossil fuels are all nonrenewable. But not all nonrenewables are fossil fuels. Crude oil, natural gas, and coal are all considered fossil fuels, but uranium is not. Rather, it is a heavy metal that is extracted as a solid and then converted by nuclear power plants into a fuel source.

All of these nonrenewable resources have proved historically to be valuable energy sources that are inexpensive to extract. Storage, conversion, and shipping are easy and cheap.

Fuels created from nonrenewable resources are still the primary source of all the power generated in the world due to their affordability and high energy content.

Following the basic rule of supply and demand , the cost to obtain nonrenewable resources will continue to rise as they become scarcer. Supply for many of these fuels is in danger of running out completely. Eventually, their prices will hit a point that end users cannot afford, forcing a move toward alternative energy sources.

Concern over the impact of fossil fuel use on the environment and its contribution to climate change continues to grow. The first international agreement on fighting climate change was the Kyoto Protocol , adopted in 1997. In 2015, 196 different parties adopted the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change. By signing, the parties agreed to take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The alternatives to fossil fuels require ample lead time to be put into place. That process has begun slowly. Wind power generated about 6.3% of American electrical power in 2017 and was the source of about 8.4% in 2020. About 1.6% of American electricity was supplied by solar power as of the end of 2018. That figure rose to 2.3% in 2020.

In the U.S., plug-in electric vehicles had a market share of a bit over 2% in 2018. As many as 6.6 million electric cars were sold in the world in 2021. That figure represented about 9% of the global market.

What Defines a Nonrenewable Resource?

Nonrenewable resources are derived from the Earth— in a finite supply that can take billions of years to replenish. Historically, many nonrenewables have been relatively cheap to extract. But as their supply continues to diminish, the cost of this extraction may rise in price, leading customers to use alternative sources, such as solar and wind energy.

What Are the Different Types of Nonrenewable Resources?

Among the most common examples of natural resources are crude oil, coal, uranium, and mineral sources such as gold. One subset of nonrenewable resources includes crude oil and natural gas. Both of these substances are made out of organic carbon material, depending on the form it takes after heating and compressing over time. Another form of nonrenewables is minerals, which include gold, silver, and iron. Unlike crude oil and natural gas, these are quite difficult and expensive to extract. Meanwhile, different types of groundwater are nonrenewables when they do not replenish at their draining speed.

How Do Nonrenewables Differ From Renewable Resources?

Since nonrenewables, by definition, will diminish in supply over time, the law of supply and demand suggests that their price will continue to rise . Renewables, by contrast, have an infinite supply. However, at the same time, the cost and time required to establish them will be lengthy. More recently, demand for renewables has grown in tandem with governmental incentives, with many of their costs decreasing over time. Solar energy is one prime example of this trend.

How Do Nonrenewable Resources Affect Climate Change?

Humans depend heavily on fossil fuels like crude oil, natural gas, and coal to supply energy. Burning these commodities release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is the primary greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. The more fossil fuels we burn, the more gases build up. This warms up the climate and causes shifts in the atmosphere, in the water, and on the land.

What Are Some Examples of Renewable Resources?

Renewable resources are those whose supplies are abundant and can be easily replenished. Unlike nonrenewable resources, they are considered to be sustainable. Examples of renewable resources are the sun, wind, water, heat from the Earth, and biomass.

Fossil fuels are normally the first thing most people think of when they hear the word nonrenewable resources. Collectively, these are resources that come from the earth. They are extracted and converted for human consumption, usually as energy sources. What sets them apart from renewable resources is that their supplies are finite and they aren't considered sustainable because of the damage they do to the environment.

National Geographic. " Nonrenewable Resources ."

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. " What is the Kyoto Protocol? "

United Nations Climate Change. " The Paris Agreement ."

U.S. Department of Energy. " Wind Market Reports: 2021 Edition ."

U.S. Energy Information Administration. " Electricity Explained: Electricity in the United States ."

Solstice. " Solar Energy Statistics: 44 Numbers That Define U.S. Solar ."

Pew Research Center. " Europe Leads the Way in New Electric Vehicle Sales ."

IEC. " Electric cars fend off supply challenges to more than double global sales ."

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✍️Essay on Natural Resources: Samples in 100, 150 and 200 Words 

• Updated on  
• Nov 2, 2023

Wondering about how the resources provided by our planet Earth are depleting? Well, that’s true. We have come to the stage where we should start working towards saving our planet. We humans have used our resources in a humongous quantity. Therefore, it’s time we start working towards saving our planet for our future generations. Today we will provide you with a few samples of essay on natural resources which will help you write on this topic easily. 

Table of Contents

• 1 What are Natural Resources?
• 2 Types of Natural Resources
• 3 Essay on Natural Resources in 100 Words
• 4 Essay on Natural Resources in 150 Words
• 5 Essay on Natural Resources in 200 Words

What are Natural Resources?

Natural Resources are resources which are present in nature independent of human actions. 

These are the resources that are created naturally by the environment, without any help from humans. Soil, stone, sunlight, air, plants, animals, fossil fuels, etc. are all natural resources.

In simple language, natural resources are naturally occurring materials which are useful to humankind. They can also be useful in a variety of ways such as in technological, economic or social contexts. These resources include building, clothing materials, food, water, fertilisers and geothermal energy. Natural resources were traditionally within the purview of the natural sciences.

Also Read: Essay on Save Environment: Samples in 100, 200, 300 Words

Types of Natural Resources

Speaking of the type of natural resources, there are mainly two types of natural resources. These include Renewable and Non-renewable resources. 

Renewable Resources: These are those resources which are endlessly available to humans for several uses. These resources are trees, wind, and water.

Non-Renewable Resources: These resources are available to humans in infinite quantities as they are not renewable and their supply may eventually run out. Minerals and fossil fuels are a few examples.

Also Read: Essay on the Importance of the English Language for Students

Essay on Natural Resources in 100 Words

Natural resources are parts of the natural world that are useful to humans. Renewable resources are those that can be swiftly replenished, these include soil, water, and air., Non-renewable resources are those that need time to recover, such as minerals, oil, natural gas, etc. 

One should note that the survival of all life on Earth depends on natural resources. However, the usage of natural resources in excess use can cause ecosystem disruption. Many nations are taking action these days to protect their natural resources. Natural resources shouldn’t be used for purposes outside our needs. In order to preserve non-renewable resources, we should utilise renewable resources more frequently than non-renewable ones.

Essay on Natural Resources in 150 Words

The organic aspects of nature that contribute to our way of life are known as natural resources. For survival, we rely on natural resources. Natural resources include things like air, water, soil, minerals, crops, etc. Resources like minerals, oil, and other resources are found in non-living organisms and take eons to regenerate. 

The distribution of natural resources is not even. Resources like these are also the primary driver of international trade relations for many nations. However, with time, these natural resources have now been overused by the human mankind beyond their limits. 

However, the unrestricted exploitation of natural resources is a challenge for all nations these days. To control this, a lot of nations are emphasising garbage recycling and employing more renewable resources than non-renewable ones. 

Sustainable development is the use of natural resources for current requirements without wasting them while keeping an eye on the future. It refers to the wise use of natural resources without sacrificing what coming generations will need.

Also Read: Essay on Unity in Diversity in 100 to 200 Words

Essay on Natural Resources in 200 Words

Natural resources are materials found in the environment that humans use to survive.  From the very start, humans have been dependent on these resources. While some of these resources can be restored more rapidly than others, some require more time. Resources like sunlight, water, air, and other renewable resources are readily available and have higher recovery rates than consumption rates.

On the other hand, the formation and processing of non-renewable resources, such as minerals, oil, and natural gas, take a long time. Even the usage rate of these non-renewable resources is higher as compared to the renewable resources. While some natural resources are used immediately, others must first undergo processing.

Even while renewable resources are available in huge quantities, they should also be used responsibly. Both renewable and non-renewable resources require time to be created and processed. Therefore, it is very important for humans to use these resources in a limited quantity and leave some for future generations.

With time, humans are using these resources excessively. With the ever-increasing population, humans have already created a huge impact on the environment. To begin, humans are continuously polluting the air, water and noise. Buildings are being constructed on more land. The land is becoming less valuable in this way. Humans are soon becoming the biggest reason behind depleting natural resources, such as land, water, and air. 

Therefore, we mustn’t undervalue these resources. The moment has come for us to recognise the importance of using these resources sustainably.

Related Articles

Natural Resources are substances which are naturally obtained from nature. Here are the 5 natural resources: Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Sand, Gems, and Metals.

Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished or regenerated at a rate comparable to the rate at which they are consumed or harvested. For example: Solar energy, Wind energy, Biomass, Geothermal energy, etc.

Conserving and saving natural resources is essential for sustainable development and the preservation of the environment. Here are some easy tips to save natural resources: Implementing the 3Rs in daily life; Adopting energy-efficient practices such as using energy-saving appliances; Reducing water wastage by fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances, and practising mindful water usage in daily activities, etc.

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Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Resources Explained

by Kevin Stark

There are two major categories of energy: renewable and non-renewable.

Non-renewable energy resources are available in limited supplies, usually because they take a long time to replenish. The advantage of these non-renewable resources is that power plants that use them are able to produce more power on demand. The non-renewable energy resources are:

• Natural gas

Renewable resources, on the other hand, replenish themselves. The five major renewable energy resources are:

• Water, also called hydro
• Biomass, or organic material from plants and animals
• Geothermal, which is naturally occurring heat from the earth

While renewable energy resources have the advantage of unlimited supply over the long haul, they are limited in their availability at any given moment.

For example, the sun rises each day, but its ability to generate power is limited when its cloudy . Another disadvantage is that power plant operators can’t crank up renewable energy production when people are consuming more power, such as on a hot day when many people are running air conditioners at the same time.

States like California are trying to solve this problem by using energy storage, like large batteries, to collect electricity from renewable sources when demand is low in order to use it later when demand goes up.

Non-renewable Energy and Climate Change

When coal, natural gas and oil are burned to produce energy, they emit heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide. This process of trapping heat is what drives climate change, and the failure to address this problem is what's catalyzing the current climate crisis.

Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon-containing materials like coal or gas that are found in the Earth’s crust and formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. These energy sources account for the majority of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions .

If emissions continue unrestrained, the atmosphere could warm by as much as 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above preindustrial levels by the year 2040, according to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of international scientists empowered by the United Nations to advise world leaders.

Scientists say this increase in the temperature  would threaten life on the planet in a myriad of ways, including severe water shortages; more air pollution; rising sea levels, habitat loss; heat waves; melting ice sheets in West Antarctica and Greenland; and destruction of the world’s coral reefs.

Over the last 150 years, humans are responsible for the vast majority of the increase of these gases in the atmosphere, and the burning of fossil fuels through activities like driving a car is the largest source of these emissions.

There is a vocal group of environmentalists and researchers —Stanford’s Mark Jacobson, who developed a state-by-state 100% renewable plan for one — who argue that the power grid should be supported only by renewable resources.

Policy makers who invest in renewable energy often do so with the goal of generating power without emitting these planet-warming gases.

The Nuclear Debate

Experts debate whether nuclear energy should be considered a renewable or non-renewable energy resource.

Nuclear energy is considered clean energy, as it doesn’t create any air pollution or emit carbon dioxide, but generates energy through nuclear fission, the process of atoms splitting apart.

For this reason, supporters of nuclear energy argue it should be considered renewable.

Those who are in favor of more nuclear energy hold that that even with investment in wind, solar and other renewable resources, nuclear power is necessary, because without it we can’t reduce emissions quickly enough to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. Without contributions from nuclear energy “the cost of achieving deep decarbonization targets increases significantly,” wrote MIT researchers in a 2018  paper  examining the issue.

Detractors of this approach say that both the mining and refining of uranium and the building of nuclear power plants is energy-intensive. Other downsides to nuclear energy are the finite amount of uranium deposits on the planet and the production of harmful waste from nuclear reactors.

For these reasons, the U.S. Energy Information Administration considers it a non-renewable energy resource.

Links to Learn More

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Change A body of the United Nations, the IPCC regularly assesses the science of climate change and issues annual reports on the impacts and risks of warming, as well as guidance for adaptation and mitigation.

U.S. Energy Administration This U.S. Department of Energy website includes detailed information, analysis and graphics about energy production and use in the U.S.

The United States of Energy A series of infographics provides insight on our country’s energy production and consumption of both renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

PBS LearningMedia Find hundreds of digital media resources about renewable energy for use in the classroom from public media stations across the country.

Andrea Aust contributed to this post.

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6.27: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

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Renewable or nonrenewable, what's the difference?

That's like asking the difference between having an endless supply and having a limited supply. Will this planet eventually run out of oil? Probably. So oil is a nonrenewable resource.

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

A natural resource is something supplied by nature that helps support life. When you think of natural resources , you may think of minerals and fossil fuels. However, ecosystems and the services they provide are also natural resources. Biodiversity is a natural resource as well.

Renewable Resources

Renewable resources can be replenished by natural processes as quickly as humans use them. Examples include sunlight and wind. They are in no danger of being used up (see Figure below ). Metals and other minerals are renewable too. They are not destroyed when they are used and can be recycled.

Wind is a renewable resource. Wind turbines like this one harness just a tiny fraction of wind energy.

Living things are considered to be renewable. This is because they can reproduce to replace themselves. However, they can be over-used or misused to the point of extinction. To be truly renewable, they must be used sustainably. Sustainable use is the use of resources in a way that meets the needs of the present and also preserves the resources for future generations.

Nonrenewable Resources

Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that exist in fixed amounts and can be used up. Examples include fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. These fuels formed from the remains of plants over hundreds of millions of years. We are using them up far faster than they could ever be replaced. At current rates of use, petroleum will be used up in just a few decades and coal in less than 300 years. Nuclear power is also considered to be a nonrenewable resource because it uses up uranium, which will sooner or later run out. It also produces harmful wastes that are difficult to dispose of safely.

Gasoline is made from crude oil. The crude oil pumped out of the ground is a black liquid called petroleum, which is a nonrenewable resource.

Coal is another nonrenewable resource.

Turning Trash Into Treasure

Scientists at the Massachusetts of Technology are turning trash into coal, which can readily be used to heat homes and cook food in developing countries. This coal burns cleaner than that from fossil fuels. It also save a tremendous amount of energy.

• Renewable resources can be replaced by natural processes as quickly as humans use them. Examples include sunlight and wind.
• Nonrenewable resources exist in fixed amounts. They can be used up. Examples include fossil fuels such as coal.
• Define natural resource. Give an example.
• Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources and give examples.
• Infer factors that determine whether a natural resource is renewable or nonrenewable.

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All About Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

What are resources.

Resources refer to all the materials present in our environment which are used by living beings. Resources are considered to be very useful raw materials found in the environment. These are known as materials that are found in nature. They are beneficial to every individual in a variety of ways.

Define Natural Resources

Humans require many useful things available in nature to live on this planet. These are referred to as natural resources. Air, water, woods, animals, and minerals are some examples. When humans use natural things to make a new thing that increases its value, it is known as a man-made resource.

Types of Natural Resources

Natural resources are important for living beings. There are many ways of classifying natural resources. The most general category is the amount of resources available for human consumption. There are two types of energy resources: renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

What is a Renewable Resource ?

Renewable resources are those that cannot be depleted. They are always available and thus could be reused. The various types of Renewable resources are given below:

Renewable Resources : Examples

Sun - The energy obtained from sunlight is solar energy. The sun is the ultimate natural resource for all living beings on the earth. Plants utilise solar energy and make their own food through photosynthesis.

Wind - It is an important renewable resource required for the survival of living organisms. Air is important to carry out photosynthesis (the process by which green plants turn carbon dioxide and water into food using energy from sunlight) and respiration (the inhaling of oxygen and the exhaling of carbon dioxide) in plants and animals, respectively. The energy that is obtained from wind is termed as wind energy. 

Water - Water is required for survival. Humans use water for a variety of reasons, including drinking, washing, cooking, and cultivating crops. Hydro energy is generated by water flowing into a river or water held in a dam. Hydro energy is power that is generated from moving water such as rivers. 

Converting hydro energy into electrical energy is a simple way to utilise it. Electrical energy is a specific form of energy that is the result of an electric charge. Electrical energy is a specific form of energy that is the result of an electric charge.

Soil - Soil is a valuable resource as it is the layer in which plants grow. Living beings require food to live. Plants produce most of the food that is required by living organisms.

Biogas - Biogas is a form of fuel that is a mixture of gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and other gases produced by the breakdown of animal and plant wastes such as animal dung in the presence of water with the help of microorganisms. It is commonly used as a fuel for gas stoves, particularly in rural regions.

What is a Non-renewable Resource ? 

Natural resources that are limited in quantity are referred to as non-renewable resources. These resources cannot be supplied or regenerated in a short duration of time. These resources cannot be reused. The various types of non renewable resources are as follows.

Non-renewable Resources : Examples

Fossil Fuels- Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources. This means that they will ultimately be finished, which is why energy prices are rising. Fossil fuels consist of coal, natural gas and petroleum.

Coal- Coal is used as a fuel, to generate electricity, and in factories and steam engines.

Natural gas- Natural gas, often known as compressed natural gas, is an excellent alternative to petrol and diesel. It burns quickly and generates a large amount of heat. It's an excellent source of hydrogen.

Petroleum- Mineral oil or crude oil are other names for petroleum. Petrol, diesel, cooking gas, and kerosene are all made from this liquid mineral. It can be found deep within the earth.

Nuclear energy- This energy source involves use of radioactive material that is found in nature. Uranium is primarily used to make nuclear reactor fuel rods. Heat is generated when neutrons(neutral particles present in the atom) hit with the fuel rods. This converts water to steam, which is used to move turbines. As a result, it  generates electricity.

Difference Between Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels release harmful chemicals into the air when they are burned.

Renewable resources are so abundant that they almost never run out. 

One wind turbine can generate enough electricity to power 1,400 households.

Renewable energy creates three times more jobs than fossil fuels can create. 

Resources refer to all the materials present in our environment which are used by living beings. Natural resources are materials present in nature and are used by humans. Renewable resources are those which cannot be depleted and could be reused. Examples of renewable resources include air, water, soil, solar energy, etc. Natural resources that are limited in quantity are referred to as non-renewable resources. The examples are coal, petroleum, etc. 

Learning By Doing

In the given table, identify the following as renewable and non-renewable resources and name them.

FAQs on All About Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

1. Can a renewable resource be used over and over again?

A renewable resource is one that may be utilised again and over again and does not deplete since it is replenished organically. Examples of renewable resources are air, sun, water, etc.

2. What energy is renewable?

Renewable energy, often known as clean energy, is generated from naturally regenerated sources or processes. For example- Solar energy comes from the sun, hydro energy comes from water, etc. 

3. How can we save non-renewable resources?

We can save non-renewable resources in following ways:

Wastage of resources should be avoided.

Shutting off fans, lamps, and coolers when not in use.

Opting for carpooling to save petrol should be practised.

Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Energy Efficiency — Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources: A Study of Energy Efficiency

Renewable and Non-renewable Resources: a Study of Energy Efficiency

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Published: Apr 11, 2019

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Green Chemistry

Trash or treasure sustainable noble metal recovery.

The noble metals, owing to their unique properties, find extensive applications in various modern industry. However, as non-renewable resources, the reserves of noble metals in the natural environment are limited. Therefore, recovering noble metals from discarded industrial waste, not only helps alleviate the challenges of noble metal resource scarcity, but also addresses environmental pollution. Herein, the state-of-the-art techniques for noble metal recovery are divided into two categories, pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, in which the conversion mechanisms are discussed. The pyrometallurgy strategies depended primarily on high temperature smelting reduction, while the hydrometallurgy strategies were segmented into leaching, enrichment and extraction, showing enormous development potential in the future. The novel exploration for noble metal pyrometallurgical extraction has been briefly reviewed. The solvolysis, photochemistry, electrochemistry-initiated for noble metal recycle in secondary resource were summarize in detail. Finally, the future challenges and development prospects of sustainable noble metal recovery are discussed. This work offers a summary of current recovery methods for noble metals and provides a reference for the resource utilization.

• This article is part of the themed collection: 2023 Green Chemistry Reviews

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Y. Wei, W. Zhang and J. Gao, Green Chem. , 2024, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D3GC04950G

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Billion in Grants to Mobilize Private Capital and Deliver Clean Energy and Climate Solutions to Communities Across America

EPA announces eight selections under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda

April 4, 2024

WASHINGTON – Today, April 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its selections for $20 billion in grant awards under two competitions within the historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), which was created under the Inflation Reduction Act as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The three selections under the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund and five selections under the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator will create a national clean financing network for clean energy and climate solutions across sectors, ensuring communities have access to the capital they need to participate in and benefit from a cleaner, more sustainable economy. By financing tens of thousands of projects, this national clean financing network will mobilize private capital to reduce climate and air pollution while also reducing energy costs, improving public health, and creating good-paying clean energy jobs in communities across the country, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan will announce the selections under these two grant competitions in Charlotte, North Carolina. While in Charlotte, the Vice President and Administrator will meet with a homeowner in a historically Black community, where a local nonprofit, Self-Help, worked with community partners to finance, renovate, and construct energy-efficient, affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families. Thanks to that partnership, this first-time homeowner pays significantly lower energy bills and has a healthy and comfortable place to raise his family. The selections the Vice President is announcing will ensure more families can experience those same benefits. In fact, one of the selections being announced today will allow Self-Help and its partners as part of the Climate United Fund’s application to deliver similar home efficiency projects to over 30,000 homes across the country.

Collectively, the selected applicants have committed to driving significant impact toward the program’s objectives. They will reduce or avoid up to 40 million metric tons of climate pollution per year, making a significant contribution to the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate goals. They will mobilize almost $7 of private capital for every $1 of federal funds, ensuring that each public dollar is leveraged for significant private-sector investment. And they will dedicate over $14 billion of capital—over 70% of the selections for awards announced today—toward low-income and disadvantaged communities, making the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund the single largest non-tax investment within the Inflation Reduction Act to build a clean energy economy while benefiting communities historically left behind.

To date, the eight selected applicants have supported thousands of individuals, businesses, and community organizations to access capital for climate and clean energy projects. With their awards, selectees will unleash tens of thousands of more projects like these across the country for decades to come:

• When her water heater died, Mildred Carter in DeSoto, Georgia could not immediately afford to replace it. With the support of Power Forward Communities coalition member Rewiring America, Mildred was enrolled in a whole-town demonstration program that would combine Georgia Power incentives of up to $5,000 with philanthropic support for energy efficiency upgrades in her home. Her brand-new heat pump water heater was installed on December 23, just in time for the holidays.
• The National Trust Community Investment Corporation, Appalachian Community Capital’s partner, recently led the charge on a $5.7 million sustainable rehabilitation of the historic National Guard Armory building located in one of Owosso, Michigan’s underserved communities. Alongside the Shiawassee Chamber of Commerce, the organization helped transform the space into an incubator for Owosso’s small businesses and local nonprofits complete with high-efficiency, all-electric heating and ENERGY STAR certified appliances.
• Opportunity Finance Network member Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) operates in Florida, which has experienced some of the most disastrous effects of the climate crisis. SELF, a U.S.-Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), recently partnered with Miami-Dade County’s Office of Resilience to invest in solar power, window and roof upgrades, and aging-in-place upgrades—including the installation of solar panels and battery backup systems for Gibson Plaza, a 65-unit affordable senior housing project. These investments have helped the community reduce energy costs while also building resiliency, ensuring residents can stay in their homes and remain protected against future climate impacts.

“When President Biden and I made the largest investment in our nation's history to address the climate crisis and to build a clean energy economy, we made sure that every community would be able to participate and benefit,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “The grantees announced today will help ensure that families, small businesses, and community leaders have access to the capital they need to make climate and clean energy projects a reality in their neighborhoods.”

“President Biden and Vice President Harris have put communities at the center of their Investing in America agenda. Today, we’re putting an unprecedented $20 billion to work in communities that for too long have been shut out of resources to lower costs and benefit from clean technology solutions,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The selectees announced today will deliver transformational investments for American communities, businesses, and families and unleash tens of thousands of clean technology projects like putting solar on small businesses, electrifying affordable housing, providing EV loans for young families, and countless others. That translates to good-paying jobs, energy bill savings, and cleaner air, all while delivering on President Biden’s historic agenda to combat climate change.”

"So many families face the same challenges: something breaks, you can’t afford to replace it, and the short-term solution is really no solution at all,” said homeowner Mildred Carter of DeSoto, Georgia. “I’m grateful for the help I got to install a brand-new heat pump water heater that provides me all the hot water I need while saving energy and money. And I’m grateful that there’s now going to be more options for families that will make these new appliances affordable and bring the benefits to them too."

Together, the eight selected applicants have committed to delivering on the three objectives of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: reducing climate and air pollution; delivering benefits to communities, especially low-income and disadvantaged communities; and mobilizing financing and private capital. As part of this collective effort, selected applicants have committed to:

• Fund projects that will reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year—equivalent to the emissions of nearly 9 million typical passenger vehicles—making a significant contribution to the President’s climate goals of reducing emissions 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels in 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by no later than 2050.
• Dedicate over $14 billion toward low-income and disadvantaged communities, including over $4 billion for rural communities as well as almost $1.5 billion for Tribal communities—ensuring that program benefits flow to the communities most in need and advance the President’s Justice40 Initiative . 
• Achieve a private capital mobilization ratio of nearly 7 times, with every dollar in grant funds leveraged for almost seven dollars in private funds over the next seven years—turning $20 billion of public funds into $150 billion of public and private investment to maximize the impact of public funds.

These commitments have been taken or derived from the application packages that selected applicants submitted to EPA and adjusted for the amount of funding received. Moving forward, EPA will work with selected applicants to revise their application packages into workplans that reflect formal commitments through the award agreements. Read what the eight selected applicants have committed to deliver on in their application packages .

“After more than a decade of hard work, our vision to create a national climate bank is a reality. Thanks to the $20 billion we secured in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will draw on the experience of public, semi-public, and non-profit community leaders to unleash tens of billions of dollars to deliver more than money, but also justice, to disadvantaged communities. As the single largest climate investment in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will cut emissions, protect health, and create job and economic opportunities so that communities won’t just survive but thrive for generations to come. Even more than money, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is delivering hope – hope for justice and for a livable future.  I applaud the Environmental Protection Agency’s work to quickly stand up this critical program while ensuring transparency and collaboration,” said U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, Chair, Senate EPW Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety, and co-author of the National Climate Bank Act.

“Fifteen years ago, we laid out our vision for a national climate bank that would bolster our efforts to combat global warming by accelerating investment in clean energy. We turned that vision into reality by establishing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund through the Inflation Reduction Act – and today’s deployment of $20 billion from that Fund is a pivotal moment in America’s fight to confront the climate crisis while driving inclusive economic growth. These funds will serve as a catalyst for private investment in job-creating projects to cut carbon emissions, spur clean energy innovation, and advance environmental justice in underserved communities that have borne the brunt of climate change. Today’s investments are just the beginning – they will be multiplied seven times over to turbocharge our transition to a clean energy economy,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, who first introduced legislation to create a national green bank in 2009 when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“These awards are making clean energy financing accessible to low-income and underserved communities that have for far too long carried the brunt of environmental pollution, helping us attack the climate crisis head on and creating jobs while lowering energy costs. These investments will fund projects that otherwise would not have been possible, and will mobilize nearly seven times as much in private capital. I’m proud to have helped author and pass the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and look forward to continuing to invest in the most impactful and urgent projects to reach our climate and environmental justice goals,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06).

Selected Applicant Information

The eight selected applicants across the National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator will create a first-of-its- national clean financing network that will finance climate and clean energy projects, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) Selectees

Under the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund, the three selected applicants will establish national clean financing institutions that deliver accessible, affordable financing for clean technology projects nationwide, partnering with private-sector investors, developers, community organizations, and others to deploy projects, mobilize private capital at scale, and enable millions of Americans to benefit from the program through energy bill savings, cleaner air, job creation, and more. Additional details on each of the three selected applicants, including the narrative proposals that were submitted to EPA as part of the application process, can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund NCIF website .

All three selected applicants surpassed the program requirement of dedicating a minimum of 40% of capital to low-income and disadvantaged communities. The three selected applicants are:

• Climate United Fund ($6.97 billion award), a nonprofit formed by Calvert Impact to partner with two U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Self-Help Ventures Fund and Community Preservation Corporation. Together, these three nonprofit financial institutions bring a decades-long track record of successfully raising and deploying $30 billion in capital with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. Climate United Fund’s program will focus on investing in harder-to-reach market segments like consumers, small businesses, small farms, community facilities, and schools—with at least 60% of its investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities, 20% in rural communities, and 10% in Tribal communities.
• Coalition for Green Capital ($5 billion award), a nonprofit with almost 15 years of experience helping establish and work with dozens of state, local, and nonprofit green banks that have already catalyzed $20 billion into qualified projects—and that have a pipeline of $30 billion of demand for green bank capital that could be coupled with more than twice that in private investment. The Coalition for Green Capital’s program will have particular emphasis on public-private investing and will leverage the existing and growing national network of green banks as a key distribution channel for investment—with at least 50% of investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
• Power Forward Communities ($2 billion award), a nonprofit coalition formed by five of the country’s most trusted housing, climate, and community investment groups that is dedicated to decarbonizing and transforming American housing to save homeowners and renters money, reinvest in communities, and tackle the climate crisis. The coalition members—Enterprise Community Partners, LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), Rewiring America, Habitat for Humanity, and United Way—will draw on their decades of experience, which includes deploying over $100 billion in community-based initiatives and investments, to build and lead a national financing program providing customized and affordable solutions for single-family and multi-family housing owners and developers—with at least 75% of investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) Selectees

Under the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, the five selected applicants will establish hubs that provide funding and technical assistance to community lenders working in low-income and disadvantaged communities, providing an immediate pathway to deploy projects in those communities while also building capacity of hundreds of community lenders to finance projects for years. Each of the selectees will provide capitalization funding (typically up to $10 million per community lender), technical assistance subawards (typically up to $1 million per community lender), and technical assistance services so that community lenders can provide financial assistance to deploy distributed energy, net-zero buildings, and zero-emissions transportation projects where they are needed most. 100% of capital under the CCIA is dedicated to low-income and disadvantaged communities. Additional details on each of the five selected applicants, including the narrative proposals that were submitted to EPA as part of the application process, can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund CCIA website .

The five selected applicants are:

• Opportunity Finance Network ($2.29 billion award), a ~40-year-old nonprofit CDFI Intermediary that provides capital and capacity building for a national network of 400+ community lenders—predominantly U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI Loan Funds—which collectively hold $42 billion in assets and serve all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories.
• Inclusiv ($1.87 billion award), a ~50-year-old nonprofit CDFI Intermediary that provides capital and capacity building for a national network of 900+ mission-driven, regulated credit unions—which include CDFIs and financial cooperativas in Puerto Rico—that collectively manage $330 billion in assets and serve 23 million individuals across the country.
• Justice Climate Fund ($940 million award), a purpose-built nonprofit supported by an existing ecosystem of coalition members, a national network of more than 1,200 community lenders, and ImpactAssets—an experienced nonprofit with $3 billion under management—to provide responsible, clean energy-focused capital and capacity building to community lenders across the country.
• Appalachian Community Capital ($500 million award), a nonprofit CDFI with a decade of experience working with community lenders in Appalachian communities, which is launching the Green Bank for Rural America to deliver clean capital and capacity building assistance to hundreds of community lenders working in coal, energy, underserved rural, and Tribal communities across the United States.
• Native CDFI Network ($400 million award), a nonprofit that serves as national voice and advocate for the 60+ U.S. Treasury-certified Native CDFIs, which have a presence in 27 states across rural reservation communities as well as urban communities and have a mission to address capital access challenges in Native communities.

Review and Selection Process Information

The eight applicants were selected through a robust process to review and select applications for each of the two competitions. The multi-staged review and selection process included dozens of federal employees—all screened through ethics and conflict of interest checks as well as trained on the program requirements and evaluation criteria—participating in the review and scoring of the selected applications through expert review panels; interviews with senior officials; and recommendations from an expert, interagency senior review team. Additional details on the review and selection process can be found on EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund NCIF and CCIA selection process website . 

EPA anticipates that awards to the selected applicants will be finalized by July 2024 and that projects will be funded by the selected applicants and their partners shortly thereafter. Note that all of the selections are contingent on the resolution of all administrative disputes related to the competitions. Review frequently asked questions about the selection announcement, including the awards process .

Informational Webinars

EPA will host informational webinars as part of the program’s commitment to public transparency. EPA has scheduled webinars for each of the two programs, with additional webinars to be announced on EPA’s GGRF webpage . The details for the scheduled webinars are included below. The webinars will be recorded and posted on EPA’s GGRF webpage .

• National Clean Investment Fund webinar: Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 1:00pm – 1:30pm ET. Join the April 10 meeting  
• Clean Communities Investment Accelerator webinar: Thursday, April 11, 2024, 1:00pm – 1:30pm ET. Join the April 11 meeting

Additional information can be found on EPA’s GGRF webpage .

Here’s what they are saying about the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund:

“We are honored to be one of the awardees under the National Clean Investment Fund and are grateful to the congressional champions, the Biden-Harris Administration, and the EPA for bringing this historic program to life," said Beth Bafford, CEO, Climate United . "The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tackle the climate crisis while building a stronger economy for all Americans. An equitable energy transition is the challenge of our time, and we’re ready to get to work.” 

“The EPA’s awards of $20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund jumpstart the next step in American green banking," said Coalition for Green Capital Chief Executive Officer, Reed Hundt. "In 2009 Congressmen Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Ed Markey of Massachusetts obtained bipartisan support for capitalizing a public investing institution to partner with private investors in expediting the construction of the clean power platform that must be the foundation of American dynamism in this century. They battled for this legislation in every Congress since that date. As Senators, they and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan successfully included this idea in the Inflation Reduction Act. The Coalition for Green Capital is now honored to be one of the recipients of that public capital. Investing in projects from our $30 billion pipeline and working with all community lenders, we and other award winners will prove that public-private investment delivers cheap, clean power fast to low-income and disadvantaged communities, and indeed everywhere in our great country.”

“The Inflation Reduction Act provided the single largest investment in climate solutions in U.S. history, including much-needed capital to improve American homes and serve low-income and disadvantaged communities,” said Tim Mayopoulos, CEO of Power Forward Communities and former CEO of Fannie Mae, the nation’s leading source of housing finance. “This initial funding can unlock billions of dollars of additional private capital to make the housing sector a key contributor to meeting our climate goals—and make the climate imperative a new driver of affordable and healthy housing solutions.”

“OFN is thrilled to partner with the EPA to finance the clean energy transition and drive opportunity in communities across the country by supporting mission-driven community lenders through the GGRF,” said Opportunity Finance Network President and CEO Harold Pettigrew. “As the nation’s leading investment intermediary and network of community lenders serving rural, urban, and Native low-income and disadvantaged communities, we are clear that now is the time to act on climate change and community development finance is an integral part of the solution. OFN, our network, and the CDFI industry are made for this moment, and we look forward to working with partners to deliver impact.”

“Inclusiv is honored to be selected for the EPA’s Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA)," said Cathie Mahon, President and CEO, Inclusiv. "The award offers the opportunity to build more equitable environmental, energy and financial systems in this country. We are thrilled that CCIA will enable us to direct grants and assistance to a network of high-impact, community-owned and governed credit unions and cooperativas with deep roots in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Our approach scales lending that will decarbonize communities and enable consumers, households and businesses to benefit from greater energy efficiency, resilience and financial security.”

“Our community lenders are the boots on the ground serving hard-working American families and communities too often excluded from the innovation economy that defines our country. We advance green lending, capacity and capital in low-income and disadvantaged communities, allowing the most impacted to lead change for all of us,” said Douglass Sims, Justice Climate Fund Interim Chief Executive Officer. “JCF thanks the Biden Administration and the EPA for recognizing JCF’s transformational role in advancing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s mission. We are honored to have been selected for the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator program.”

“The Green Bank for Rural America is a place-based effort that will be a hub for investment and technical assistance to community lenders, local leaders, and workforce development partners across the United States,” said Donna Gambrell, Appalachian Community Capital’s President and CEO. “We are grateful to EPA for this recognition. We want to ensure that no communities are left behind and that low-income and disadvantaged communities in Appalachia and other parts of this country benefit from efforts that will result in healthy communities for generations to come.”

"With profound gratitude, I am honored that the Native CDFI Network has been selected to receive the historic CCIA award as part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, marking a significant milestone in our collective efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental justice to our Native communities. The vast majority of Native CDFIs and other experienced lenders serving Native communities came together as one to seize this landmark opportunity to transform the health and resilience of the places our people call home,” said Pete Upton, Native CDFI Network CEO. “The CCIA and other EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund programs provide a level of funding for clean energy projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities that we are unlikely to see again in our lifetimes. The Native CDFI Network has spent months methodically developing a thoughtful and comprehensive national plan to maximize the environmental, social, economic, and cultural benefits of Indian Country’s fair share of CCIA funding. Our coalition stands ready to deliver on that plan."

“EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will democratize financing for clean energy and climate solutions in every pocket of the country while lowering energy costs for families and creating good-paying jobs,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “Today’s announcement delivers the benefits of climate and clean energy investments to communities that have historically borne the brunt of pollution.”

“Today’s announcement is a game changer. I’m pleased to see that a significant portion of these funds will invest in housing that is energy-efficient and climate resilient,” said U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “ HUD is very thankful for our very close partnership with EPA over the past year to ensure that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund includes these essential investments.”

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has equity as its North Star, centering on communities too often left out of the conversation. Now, through the historic Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, communities across the country can take full control of their clean energy future leveraging federal and private funding for tried and true solutions that will strengthen their energy resilience, slash costs for their residents and revitalize their local economies,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm.

“The investments Democrats made are paying off for the American people.” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “By providing $20 billion that will flow to tens of thousands of green and climate friendly projects across the country, today’s historic announcement, made possible by our Inflation Reduction Act, is ushering in the clean energy revolution. I am especially proud that EPA has secured commitments from today’s awardees that over 70 percent of the capital – over $14 billion – will go to low-income and disadvantaged communities. These investments mean cleaner communities, lower energy costs, and jobs, jobs, jobs. I’m proud of this bold investment in communities across America and New York and confident today’s announcement will have positive reverberations for generations to come.”

“Working with President Biden, House Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act to strike a dramatic blow against the climate crisis, set our planet on a sustainable trajectory forward and stand up a clean energy economy. It was the largest federal climate investment in the history of the nation. I thank President Biden, Vice President Harris and EPA Administrator Regan for this historic $20 billion investment to help advance clean technology across America,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“Every American should benefit from the investments we make to fight climate change, no matter their zip code,” said U.S. Senator Carper, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “That’s why we created the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund in the Inflation Reduction Act — to ensure that these unprecedented climate and clean energy investments would especially benefit often overlooked communities, those with the greatest need. I am thrilled to see the Biden Administration swiftly implementing this critical program, which will help to lower energy costs for everyone and create good-paying jobs across the nation. Congratulations to each of the eight recipients who will bring us one step closer to a clean energy future.”

“Today’s announcement is historic. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is a first-of-its-kind program that will save Americans money on their utility bills, create hundreds of thousands of new good-paying jobs, and protect our communities from the worst impacts of catastrophic climate change. This is what investing in the American people looks like and it is an absolute game-changer for our fight against the climate crisis,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “I applaud the Biden Administration for working diligently to ensure that the program’s funds will reach those who need them most, and I look forward to the unprecedented climate progress it will help us achieve in the years ahead.”

Additional Background

The President’s Inflation Reduction Act authorized the EPA to create and implement the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a historic $27 billion investment to combat the climate crisis by mobilizing financing and private capital for greenhouse gas- and air pollution-reducing projects in communities across the country. Together, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s National Clean Investment Fund, Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, and Solar for All programs will finance clean technology deployment nationally, finance clean technology deployment in low-income and disadvantaged communities while simultaneously building the capacity of community lenders that serve those communities, and spur adoption of clean distributed solar energy that lowers energy bills for millions of Americans in low-income and disadvantaged communities. EPA expects to announce additional information on the $7 billion Solar for All competition later this spring. These programs advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative while expanding good-paying job opportunities in domestic industries.