Why non-renewables are still in abundance while renewables are not

Abstract

The problem the world faces is that many of the resources that are truly threatened are the renewable ones, not, as so often assumed, the non-renewables. Many of the earth’s renewable resources are being insanely over-exploited, and humanity seems incapable of agreeing on rules for their protection. Fish, large mammals, fresh water, timber, clean air – the list is endless. In contrast, many non-renewable reserves have become so plentiful that their prices are presently at historic lows. The question is: how has it come about that our non-renewable reserves are seemingly inexhaustible?