What characteristic defines a non-renewable resource?

A non-renewable resource is defined by its finite availability; once it is extracted and used, it cannot be replenished on a human timescale. This characteristic stems from the geological processes that create non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels, minerals, and metal ores over millions of years. Once depleted, the rate at which they are replenished is significantly slower than the rate of consumption, leading to eventual scarcity.

The other options do not accurately reflect the defining nature of non-renewable resources. They either suggest characteristics of renewable resources or address environmental impacts, which, while relevant in discussions of resource management, do not define the fundamental characteristic of non-renewability.