Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy

Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Explain the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources.

• Identify examples of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.

• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources.

• Explain why it is important to conserve all types of energy resources.

Key Vocabulary

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Renewable Resource

A resource that can be naturally replenished in a short amount of time as it is used.

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Nonrenewable Resource

A resource that cannot be replenished as quickly as it is used, or exists in a limited supply.

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Fossil Fuels

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

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Energy Conservation

The practice of reducing the amount of energy consumed in order to protect the planet's resources.

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Hydropower

A renewable energy source produced from the movement of flowing water found in rivers or dams.

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What are Energy Resources?

Renewable Resources

• A renewable resource is one that can be renewed or replenished as it is used over time.

• These resources occur naturally and can often be used over and over again for our energy needs.

• An example is timber from trees, as new trees can be planted to replace those that are cut down.

Nonrenewable Resources

• A nonrenewable resource is one that cannot be replaced as quickly as it is used up.

• These resources exist in a limited supply and are used much faster than they can be replaced.

• Fossil fuels like coal and oil are examples, as they take millions of years to form underground.

Multiple Choice

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

• Nonrenewable resources are more expensive than renewable resources.

• The time it takes for the resource to be replenished.

• Only nonrenewable resources are used for energy.

• Renewable resources are man-made, while nonrenewable resources are natural.

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Examples of Energy Resources

Renewable

• Wind energy comes from moving air, and solar power is captured from the Sun's rays.

• Geothermal energy is from Earth's internal heat, and biomass is from recent living organisms.

• Hydropower is energy that is produced from the movement of flowing water.

Nonrenewable

• Fossil fuels like coal and oil come from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

• Natural gas is a flammable gas that is often found underground near oil deposits.

• Nuclear energy is produced from atomic reactions using elements such as uranium.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a nonrenewable energy resource?

• Solar

• Coal

• Hydropower

• Wind

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Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy

Advantages

• ​These resources are naturally replaced over time, which means they will not run out.

• ​​They produce very little waste or pollution, making them clean for the environment.

• ​They help to reduce the negative impact that humans have on the planet.

Disadvantages

• ​Building and starting new renewable energy facilities can be very expensive.

• ​​They are not suitable for every location, as they depend on the climate.

• ​For example, solar power plants need a consistently sunny climate to work efficiently.

Multiple Choice

According to the slide, what is a major disadvantage of using renewable energy sources?

• They are not clean for the environment.

• They produce a lot of pollution.

• They will eventually run out.

• They can be expensive to build and start for the first time.

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Pros and Cons of Nonrenewable Energy

Advantages

• ​Nonrenewable resources are often able to be stored for use at a later time.

• ​​They are cost-effective and can reliably produce large amounts of energy.

• ​A single power plant location can generate a lot of energy easily.

Disadvantages

• ​The supply of nonrenewable resources is limited, and they will eventually run out.

• ​​Burning them leads to environmental pollution, which can cause issues like acid rain.

• ​As supplies get smaller, getting them becomes more difficult and even dangerous.

Multiple Choice

What is a significant advantage of nonrenewable energy as mentioned in the slide?

• They are a very clean source of energy.

• They are cost-effective and can be stored for later use.

• They do not cause any pollution.

• They will never run out.

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Resource Management and Conservation

Managing Resources

• Even renewable resources must be used carefully so they are not used up or destroyed.

• For example, overfishing can cause fish populations to disappear before they can reproduce.

• A forest ecosystem is complex and takes much longer to regrow than a simple stand of trees.

Energy Conservation

• Energy conservation is the important practice of reducing the amount of energy we use every day.

• Conserving energy leads to benefits like lower pollution and less harm to natural ecosystems.

• It also helps save money on energy bills for both our homes and local businesses.

Multiple Choice

Why is energy conservation important?

• It only applies to nonrenewable resources.

• It makes renewable resources more expensive.

• It stops fish from reproducing.

• It helps reduce pollution and saves money.

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Common Misconceptions About Resources

Misconception	Correction
"Renewable" means a resource is unlimited and can never run out.	They can run out if overused or polluted faster than they can recover.
All resources that come from nature are renewable.	Nonrenewable resources like coal and oil take millions of years to form.
Energy from renewable resources is always cheap.	Building facilities like solar or wind farms can be very expensive at first.
Using renewable resources has no impact on the environment.	Building dams and wind farms can still affect local wildlife and ecosystems.

Multiple Choice

Why are fossil fuels considered nonrenewable, even though they form from natural processes?

• Because they are a liquid and not a solid.

• Because they are found deep within the Earth.

• Because they take millions of years to form, far too slow to replace what we use.

• Because they release pollution when burned.

Multiple Choice

A town wants to build a new power plant. What is a key environmental advantage of choosing a solar power plant over a coal power plant?

• The solar plant can produce energy during the night.

• The solar plant can be built anywhere.

• The solar plant will produce significantly less pollution.

• The solar plant will be cheaper to build initially.

Multiple Choice

If a community successfully practices energy conservation, what is the most likely outcome for their local environment and their finances?

• More nonrenewable resources will be used.

• Energy will become more expensive and pollution will increase.

• There will be no change to the environment, but residents will save money.

• There will be less pollution and residents will save money on energy bills.

Multiple Choice

A coastal community relies heavily on its fish population, which is a renewable resource. What action would pose the biggest threat to the long-term sustainability of this resource?

• Polluting the water and catching fish faster than they can reproduce.

• Building windmills near the coast.

• Using solar panels on homes.

• Conserving electricity in the town.

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Summary

• Renewable resources, like solar and wind, replenish themselves naturally over a short time.

• Nonrenewable resources, like fossil fuels, are finite and will eventually run out.

• All energy sources have advantages and disadvantages, including cost and environmental impact.

• Energy conservation is important for protecting resources and reducing our environmental impact.

Poll

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

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4