* Natural Resources: These are materials found in nature that are valuable to humans. They can be used to create energy, products, or serve other essential purposes.
* Non-Renewable Resources: Coal, oil, and natural gas are formed over millions of years from organic matter. They are considered non-renewable because they are being used up faster than they can be replenished.
Specific roles of each resource:
* Coal: Primarily used for electricity generation, but also in some industrial processes.
* Oil: Used for transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel), plastics, and many other products.
* Natural Gas: Primarily used for heating, electricity generation, and industrial processes.
Therefore, coal, oil, and natural gas are crucial resources for our society, although their use has environmental consequences due to their non-renewable nature and the emissions they produce.
