Which of the following natural resources is non-renewable?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which resource is non-renewable. A non-renewable resource is one that cannot be replaced naturally within a human lifetime, or that is used up faster than nature can replenish it.

Step 2: Explain the concept

• Renewable resources can be replaced or regenerated naturally, such as water, air, forests, sunlight, and wind.
• Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and are exhausted once used, such as coal, petroleum (crude oil), natural gas, and minerals.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Water: Renewable. It is continually recycled through the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation).
• B. Coal: Non-renewable. It formed from plant remains buried and compressed over millions of years. Once mined and burned, it cannot be replaced in a human timescale.
• C. Forest: Renewable. Trees can be replanted and regrow (reforestation, afforestation).
• D. Air: Renewable. Its gases are constantly recycled through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and the nitrogen and carbon cycles.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is **B.

Exam tip: Remember the "fossil fuels" group: coal, crude oil, natural gas are all non-renewable. If you see any of them in a WASSCE, JAMB, or NECO question on resources, think "non-renewable" immediately. Living things (forests, fish, animals) and cycling resources (water, air) are usually renewable, as long as they are managed well.