which of the following is a renewable resource?
a. cotton
b. copper
c. natural gas
d. coal
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is a. cotton.
Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally over time, either through biological processes or natural cycles. Cotton is a renewable resource because it is a natural fiber that grows from cotton plants. Farmers can plant cotton crops, harvest the fibers, and then replant more crops in subsequent seasons. The ability to regenerate each year makes cotton a renewable resource.
On the other hand, copper, natural gas, and coal are non-renewable resources. Copper is a metal extracted from the earth’s crust through mining. Once the accessible copper reserves are depleted, it cannot be replenished within a human timespan. Natural gas and coal are fossil fuels that take millions of years to form from the remains of ancient plants and animals. As these resources are extracted and consumed, they cannot be replaced within a human lifetime. Once they are used up, they are gone, making them non-renewable.
Cotton, unlike metals or fossil fuels, benefits from natural growth cycles. It is a product of agricultural processes, where crops can be rotated and replanted each year. The sustainability of cotton production depends on factors such as soil health, water availability, and climate conditions, but it remains a renewable resource compared to finite resources like coal or natural gas.
Therefore, cotton is considered renewable because it can be grown year after year as long as environmental and agricultural practices are managed responsibly. This makes it an important resource in sustainable industries, such as textiles, where renewable materials are in increasing demand.