Final answer:
Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power are naturally replenished and considered sustainable, whereas non-renewable energy sources such as oil, gas, and coal are finite and contribute to global warming.
Step-by-step explanation:
To classify the energy sources as renewable or non-renewable, it is important to understand the defining characteristics of each.
Renewable energy sources are those that naturally replenish themselves at a rate that is sustainable for human use. This includes sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric (water), and biomass. These sources can theoretically be used indefinitely without running out.
On the other hand, non-renewable energy sources are those that are consumed faster than they can be replenished. The most common examples are fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas, which take millions of years to form and are therefore limited in supply.
Understanding the distinction and the need to transition towards more renewable sources is critical due to the inevitable conversion of energy into less useful forms and the environmental impact of using non-renewable forms, like the contribution to global warming from burning fossil fuels.