Questions

1. Name two non-renewable and two
renewable natural resources.
2. How do we use natural resources?
Why Do We Need
Resources?

How is Electricity Produced?
Energy Resources

Key Questions
What is the difference between renewable
and non-renewable resources
What are the main forms of energy?
What are the pros and cons of different
forms of energy?
Non-Renewable
Resources

Resources in limited quantities
Fossil fuels – coal, natural gas & oil
Metals – iron, copper & gold
Nuclear power
Renewable Resources

May be replenished over time
Lumber – more trees in US now compared to
100 years ago
Cotton – used for clothing
Plants & animals – food resources
Wind, water, sunlight, biofuels
US Energy Use

What types of
energy do we
use in
America?
World Energy Use

What types of resources does the world use?
Energy Use

Increased world population = Increased
energy demand
Nonrenewable energy will eventually run
out
Nonrenewable Resources

Fossil Fuels
Coal: electricity & heat
Petroleum (gas): transportation
Natural gas & propane: heat
Nonrenewable Resources

Advantages: cheap, abundant & easily accessible
Disadvantages: Coal & petroleum cause
pollution
Environmental degradation occurs extracting the
resource
They will eventually run out
Alternative/ Renewable
Energy

Most alternative energy sources are
renewable: solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal
Nonrenewable – nuclear & geothermal
There are pros & cons for each type of energy
source
Solar - Advantages

Free fuel (sunlight)
Non –polluting (air)
Produce electricity
Solar - Disadvantages

High cost
Fragile equipment
Requires large
quantities of water
Requires space –
disrupts ecosystems
Kills birds
Nuclear - Advantages

High energy production (electricity)
Economical
Process does not produce carbon or smoke
pollution
Nuclear - Disadvantages

Required materials are radioactive
Non-renewable
Produces radioactive waste
Requires large quantities of water
Wind - Advantages

Clean
Renewable
Cost effective
Produce electricity
Wind - Disadvantages

Requires large tracts of land
Kills birds
Noise pollution
Not consistent
Limited locations
Hydroelectric - Advantages

Renewable
Reliable
Safe
Non-polluting (air)
Produces electricity
Hydroelectric - Disadvantages

Disrupts natural water flow
Negative impact on wildlife
Expensive to build/ maintain
Limited usable sites
Sedimentation
Geothermal - Advantages

Almost entirely emission free
No mining or transportation of a fuel source
Reliable electricity
Cost competitive in some areas
GeothermalDisadvantages

Some sites only last 10 – 15 years
High water usage
Sulfur dioxide and silica emissions
High construction costs
Tidal - Advantages
Requires no fuel
Emission-free
Reliable
High efficiency
Predictable output
of electricity

Tidal - Disadvantages

High cost/ maintenence
Location specific
Negative impact on
marine wildife
Disrupts tidal/
shoreline ecosystems
Biofuels - Advantages

Reduces waste/ pollution
Cost effective/ profitable
Sustainable fuel extraction:
algae (oils/ fuel for transportation)
manure & garbage (methane for electricity
production)
Biofuel - Disadvantages

High initial cost/
investment
Maintenance/ regulations