Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Define renewable and nonrenewable resources and explain how they are different.

• Describe different renewable energy sources and their advantages and disadvantages.

• Explain the main types of nonrenewable energy and their environmental impact.

• Explain the importance of resource conservation and sustainable use.

Key Vocabulary

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Natural Resource

A material supplied by nature that is used by humans to support life on our planet.

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Renewable Resource

A resource that can be replaced by nature within a human lifetime or just as quickly.

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Nonrenewable Resource

A resource that exists in a fixed amount and cannot be easily replaced once it is consumed.

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Sustainable Use

The responsible use of resources to meet our needs without harming the needs of future generations.

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Conservation

The practice of using natural resources wisely and avoiding wastefulness to ensure they last longer.

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Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels like coal and gas, formed from the remains of ancient living organisms over millions.

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What are Natural Resources?

Renewable Resources

• ​These are resources that can be replenished by natural processes as they are used.

• ​​They occur naturally and are not in danger of being used up completely.

• ​Future generations will also have access to these valuable resources for their needs.

Nonrenewable Resources

• ​These resources cannot be replaced in our lifetimes once they have been consumed.

• ​​They take millions of years to form and exist in a fixed amount.

• ​Conservation is important because these resources can be used up completely and forever.

Multiple Choice

What is the key difference between a renewable and a nonrenewable resource?

• Nonrenewable resources are unlimited, while renewable resources are in a fixed amount.

• Nonrenewable resources are always cleaner to use than renewable resources.

• Renewable resources can be replaced quickly, while nonrenewable resources cannot.

• Renewable resources are man-made, while nonrenewable resources are from nature.

Renewable Energy Sources: Part 1

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Solar Power

• ​Uses solar cells to turn sunlight directly into electricity.

• ​​It is a limitless supply that produces no greenhouse gases.

• ​Solar stations are expensive and do not work at night.

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Wind Power

• ​Moving air turns turbines that are used to generate electricity.

• ​​Wind is free and using it doesn't create greenhouse gases.

• ​It can only be used in areas with consistent wind.

• Wind turbines can spoil natural landscapes and affect tourism.

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Hydropower

• ​Uses the force of moving water to turn turbines for electricity.

• ​​This method of generating electricity produces no waste or pollution.

• ​Building dams is expensive and can harm the local wildlife.

Multiple Choice

Based on the information provided, what is a common disadvantage of solar, wind, and hydropower?

• They all produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases.

• They all rely on the burning of biological matter.

• They all face challenges related to cost or environmental/locational constraints.

• They all are only effective during the daytime.

Renewable Energy Sources: Part 2

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Geothermal Power

• Uses natural heat from the Earth's core to produce steam.

• This energy is free and does not produce any greenhouse gases.

• Power station locations are rare, and harmful gases can be released.

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Biomass

• This is energy from organic matter like plants and animals.

• The fuel is cheap and uses materials that might be thrown away.

• Burning the fuel produces greenhouse gases and can raise food prices.

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Tides and Waves

• The rising and falling of ocean tides can turn a turbine.

• This is a predictable and unlimited resource, but can harm ecosystems.

• Wave power is also free but can be inconsistent and unreliable.

Multiple Choice

Which renewable resource, despite being made from organic matter, still produces greenhouse gases when burned?

• Solar Power

• Geothermal Power

• Tidal Power

• Biomass

Types of Fossil Fuels

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Coal

• ​Coal is a solid, black, rock-like fossil fuel.

• ​​It formed from the remains of ancient plants in swamps.

• ​It is mainly used to generate electricity in power plants.

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Oil (Petroleum)

• ​Oil is a thick, dark liquid type of fossil fuel.

• ​​It is found deep underground and under the ocean floor.

• ​It is used to make gasoline, diesel fuel, and plastics.

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Natural Gas

• ​This is a colorless and odorless fossil fuel in gas form.

• ​​It is the cleanest burning fossil fuel of the three types.

• ​We use it for heating our homes and for cooking food.

Multiple Choice

How did coal form, and what is its main use today?

• It formed from ocean water evaporating; mainly used in vehicles

• It formed from ancient plants in swamps; mainly used to generate electricity

• It formed from volcanic lava cooling; mainly used for cooking

• It formed from marine animals; mainly used to make plastics

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Impact of Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Energy

Fossil Fuels

• Oil and natural gas are easy to transport, but spills can badly damage the environment.

• Coal is a cheap energy source, but mining it can be dangerous and cause soil erosion.

• Burning fossil fuels releases harmful pollution into the air, which is bad for our planet.

Nuclear Energy

• This energy comes from splitting atoms like uranium and produces a lot of power.

• Nuclear power plants do not create the greenhouse gases that warm our planet.

• The waste it creates is radioactive and must be stored safely for a long time.

Multiple Choice

What is the main advantage of nuclear energy compared to fossil fuels, according to the slide?

• The waste it produces is harmless.

• It does not produce greenhouse gases.

• The fuel source (uranium) is renewable.

• It is the cheapest form of energy.

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Common Misconceptions About Energy Resources

Misconception	Correction
All renewable energy is completely harmless and "green."	Some have impacts, like dams flooding land or biomass creating greenhouse gases.
Renewable resources are always available for us to use.	Many depend on weather, like solar on the sun and wind on the wind.
Nonrenewable resources do not have any benefits.	They are often cost-effective and produce large amounts of energy.
Metals are nonrenewable resources.	Metals are renewable because they can be recycled and reused.

Multiple Choice

How does the fundamental energy source for hydropower differ from the source for geothermal power?

• Hydropower uses wind, while geothermal power uses sunlight.

• Hydropower uses sunlight, while geothermal power uses wind.

• Hydropower uses moving water, while geothermal power uses heat from the Earth's core.

• Hydropower uses heat from the Earth's core, while geothermal power uses moving water.

Multiple Choice

Fossil fuels are formed from natural biological matter. Why are they classified as a nonrenewable resource?

• Because they are too expensive to be considered a viable long-term resource.

• Because they take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced in a human lifetime.

• Because they are replenished by natural processes as quickly as they are used.

• Because they do not produce any greenhouse gases when burned.

Multiple Choice

A community wants a new power source that doesn't produce greenhouse gases. Based on the text, which option presents a viable choice but comes with the significant challenge of hazardous waste disposal?

• Natural Gas

• Coal Power

• Biomass

• Nuclear Energy

Multiple Choice

If a coastal region experiences strong, consistent winds but also relies heavily on tourism that values unspoiled natural landscapes, which energy source creates a potential conflict and why?

• Solar Power, because solar panels can only be built on the coast.

• Hydropower, because building a dam would block the view of the ocean.

• Wind Power, because some people feel the turbines spoil the countryside.

• Geothermal Power, because it can only be built near coastal regions.

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Summary

• Resources are either renewable (can be replaced) or nonrenewable (a fixed amount).

• Renewable sources are cleaner but can be costly, or inconsistent.

• Burning biomass, a renewable resource, still produces greenhouse gases.

• Nonrenewable fossil fuels are effective but cause pollution and global warming.

• Nuclear energy is powerful but produces dangerous, radioactive waste.

• Conservation is key to managing resources for present and future needs.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about the concepts covered in today's review?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4