The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Natural resources are broadly classified into renewable and non-renewable resources based on their exhaustibility and the time required for their replenishment relative to human usage.- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Renewable resources are those which get renewed or replenished quickly, often within a human lifespan. Resources that take millions of years to form or replenish, such as minerals and fossil fuels, are classified as non-renewable resources.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Certain renewable resources are essentially unlimited in quantity and are not significantly depleted by human activities. Solar and wind energy are prime examples of such inexhaustible resources.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Water is technically a renewable resource because it is continuously recycled through the hydrological cycle (evaporation, condensation, and precipitation). However, while the total volume remains constant, the availability of usable fresh water can be affected by mismanagement, pollution, and overuse.
Key Takeaway: The primary distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources lies in the timescale of replenishment; renewable resources replenish quickly or are inexhaustible, while non-renewable resources require geological timescales to regenerate.