Question

Explain the difference between actual and potential resources and why is a distinction is important. Do the same for renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Answer 1

Potential resources are those that may be used at some future point, but are not being used now, like actual resources. Renewable resources are those that are continually replenished while nonrenewable resources are produced over such long periods of time that they are not considered replenishable. The distinctions are important because resources that are actively being used, actual resources, impact people's daily lives. And if these resources are nonrenewable, rather than renewable, they can only be used for a limited period of time.