Advantages and Disadvantages of Non
Renewable Energy

Unlike renewable energy, non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, gas, and oil, will become heavily depleted over time. That may call for a look at both the advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable energy and their current outlook.

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There are many arguments both for and against non-renewable energy. These include:

Because non-renewable energies seem abundant, like oil, gas and coal, some experts believe if channeled correctly, our supplies will be safe for future generations. Non-renewable energy sources include oil and petroleum products, gasoline, diesel fuel, and propane, natural gas, coal, and uranium used for nuclear energy. Some environmentalists include our forests, trees, and plant life as a non-renewable energy source as well especially due to the deforestation of our forests.

One advantage of non-renewable energies is that right now, they seem widely available and affordable. Oil and diesel are still good choices for powering vehicles. They are cost effective and much easier to produce and use. Non-renewable energy also has market value where a supplier or manufacturer makes money and pays workers enhancing economies.

Although governments struggle with fair trade practices, many countries have a non-renewable energy source which can used as a bargaining tool to help their economy stay afloat.

On the other side, there are many disadvantages to non-renewable energy. Because non-renewable energies come from sources on our planet, once they are gone they can’t be replaced or revitalized.

Pollution grows greater through the by-products they leave behind and mining of non-renewable energy is causing damage to our environment. There is no doubt that fossil fuels contribute to global warming and to break humans of their habit to lean on non-renewable energy sources remains a challenge.

As countries disagree through wars and differences, the prices of non-renewable energies such as oil has become a commodity where price fluctuation is always eminent. The burning of fossil fuels continues to rise producing high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) which climatologists believe is a major cause of global warming.

Rider University located in New Jersey, has developed a list of five criteria for evaluating any energy source, including non-renewable sources:

1. Availability – Is the energy source available and for how long? Fifteen years is considered to be near, fifteen to fifty years is intermediate, and over fifty years is considered to be long.
2. Energy Yield – How much of other energy is needed to produce the energy? Rider University uses a net energy ratio, “Energy produced divided by energy expended during production.” The higher the ratio, the better the energy yield.
3. Cost – How much does the energy cost to develop and manufacturer? For example, needed high-technology to produce nuclear energy may be a detriment to its use.
4. Environment – How does the energy affect the environment? Further, does extracting, transporting and using the source outweigh the effects on the environment. Using coal as an energy source comes into play in this criteria.
5. Renewable – Is the energy source a candidate for a renewable energy? Is it sustainable? Rider University experts say, "Why develop it if you’re just going to run out of it?" Oil, for example, falls into this criteria.

The case for utilizing non-renewable energy sources is highly favored to some and disfavored by environmentalists who plead for the need of renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind power.

There are those that argue that by turning all of our efforts to renewable energy sources, no profits can be made from non-renewable sources leaving manufacturer pocket books dry. In addition, who will regulate the profits of renewable energy sources?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable energy sources? Lifestyle and mindset seem to play a role in the answer to this question. Those who are for continued development of non-renewable energy sources may have high stakes as far as profits. Those against it face the challenge of changing the mindset that non-renewable energy sources are indeed, bad for our environment and continue to contribute to global warming.

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