Renewable resources

​Earth's Resources

​3 requirements:
1. There must be a human demand
2. Must be a physical object and satisfy the demand
3. We must know how to make the object meet the demand

​What is a Natural Resource?

BUT ALSO.....

​It has to naturally
come from the
Earth.

Open Ended

List some Natural Resources that we use in our everyday lives.

Replenishes faster than its usage. Comes back quickly

​Renewable

Finite amount. Usage is faster the replenishment.

​Nonrenewable

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable

​Is the rate of usage > rate of growth?

Open Ended

Give me examples of renewable resources.

Open Ended

Give me examples of Nonrenewables

​Pros: it's "free" and the direct conversion on energy is non polluting

Cons: when sourcing material to make these panels, we indirectly contribute to emissions and excess sourcing of materials

​

Solar

​Pro: constant and "free"

Con: problematic sourcing of materials, energy storage needs improvement, bird/bat endangerment (collisions and noise pollution)

​​Wind

​Pro: also "free" and water flows constantly

Con: water's path changes, increased soil erosion rate

​​Hydroelectric

Pro: no emissions despite steam.

Con: location is limited (must be in fault or igneous zones)

​​Geothermal

​Pro: waves from the ocean are constant

Con: inadvertently disrupts ecosystem

Ocean Tides

​Pro: we NEVER run out of waste

Con: massive amount of emissions

​​Biomass

Multiple Choice

These have virtually zero carbon footprint.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What is not a criteria of a natural resource?

• must be a human demand

• technology to make it meet demand

• must be renewable

• must be a physical object to satisfy human demand

Multiple Choice

What is a downside to having tidal turbines?

• Potential harm to marine life
• Negative impact on tourism industry
• Limited availability of suitable locations
• Increased cost of energy production

Multiple Choice

What makes a resource renewable?

• Renewable resources are created by humans.
• Renewable resources are only found in certain regions.
• Renewable resources can be used indefinitely without any negative impact.
• Renewable resources can be replenished or replaced naturally within a human lifespan or at a rate faster than it is consumed.

Open Ended

State a fact about nuclear power.

​One big nucleus into smaller nuclei.

Fission

​Two smaller nuclei into one larger nucleus.

​​Fusion

• we have nowhere to put nuclear waste (just sits there)

• chance of dangerous fallout events

​Cons

• very little uranium is needed

• considered "cleaner" than conventional fossil fuels

• very efficient energy output

Pros

Nuclear Power....meh.... (as in Mrs. Robbins is conflicted)

• ​PA

• 1979

• cooling malfunction in reactor 2

​​Three mile island

• ​Ukraine

• 1986

• flawed reactor design and untrained staff led to reactor 4 exploding during a test

​​Chernobyl

• ​Okuma, Japan

• 2011

• 15 meter tsunami disabled the cooling system, causing three reactors to explode

​​Fukushima Daiichi

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Poll

What is your opinion on Nuclear Energy?

• Cool, let's do it.

• Absolutely not.

Multiple Choice

Why is biomass considered renewable?

• Biomass is considered renewable because it is derived from inorganic materials.
• Biomass is considered renewable because it is a non-renewable energy source.
• Biomass is considered renewable because it is derived from organic materials that can be replenished over a relatively short period of time.
• Biomass is considered renewable because it does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions.

Multiple Choice

What is a disadvantage of hydrothermal power?

• Interference with aquatic ecosystems
• Environmental damage
• High cost of installation
• Limited availability of suitable locations

Multiple Select

What is a disadvantage of windmills?

• Harm to wildlife
• High maintenance cost
• Noise pollution
• Visual pollution