Why are nonrenewable resources considered problematic for sustainability?

Nonrenewable resources are considered problematic for sustainability primarily because they cannot be replenished effectively once depleted. These resources, such as fossil fuels, minerals, and certain groundwater supplies, exist in finite quantities. Once extracted and utilized, they do not regenerate within a human time scale, meaning that, ultimately, we will exhaust supplies of these resources. This poses severe challenges to sustainability, as reliance on nonrenewable resources can lead to environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and increased competition for access. Given the growing global demand for energy and materials, the depletion of nonrenewable resources emphasizes the need for sustainable practices and alternative energy sources to ensure that future generations have access to the resources they need.