Natural Resources NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES A nonrenewable resource is

Natural Resources

NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES A nonrenewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be remade or re-grown at a scale comparable to its consumption.

NUCLEAR ENERGY Nuclear fission uses uranium to create energy. Nuclear energy is a nonrenewable resource because once the uranium is used, it is gone!

Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy Pros: • Low greenhouse gas levels • Large power-generating capacity • Very little air pollution because it is not burned Cons: • Non-renewable • High construction cost • High risks in an accident • Not easy or safe to ship

Fossil Fuels Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are considered nonrenewable because they can not be replenished in a short period of time. These are called fossil fuels.

HOW IS COAL MADE ? ? ?

HOW ARE OIL AND GAS MADE ? ? ?

WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COAL AND OIL/GAS?

Pros and Cons of Fossil Fuels Pros: • Considered to be highly efficient • Widely used • Delivery system already exists Cons: • Non-renewable • Emits pollutants into the air when burned • Explosive and potentially dangerous

HMMMM. . If nonrenewable resources are resources that cannot be re-made at a scale comparable to its consumption, what are renewable resources?

RENEWABLE RESOURCES Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished in a short period of time. ● Solar ● Geothermal ● Wind ● Biomass ● Water

SOLAR Energy from the sun. Why is energy from the sun renewable?

Pros and Cons of Solar Energy Pros: • Renewable • Non-polluting • Low maintenance Cons: • Intermittent • Expensive • Produce low grade energy

GEOTHERMAL Energy from Earth’s heat. Why is energy from the heat of the Earth renewable?

Pros and Cons of Geothermal Energy Pros: • Renewable • Clean • Stable Cons: • Initial cost is very high • Only reasonable to extract it in certain places • Generates very little energy compared to other sources

WIND Energy from the wind. Why is energy from the wind renewable?

Pros and Cons of Wind Energy Pros: • Clean Energy • Renewable • Power essentially free once infrastructure is paid for Cons: • Inconsistent • Wind from turbines and land needed make them only good in rural areas • Wildlife fatalities

BIOMASS Energy from burning organic or living matter. Why is energy from biomass renewable?

Pros and Cons of Biomass Energy Pros: • Renewable • Widely Available • Low cost Cons: • Some fuels are seasonal • Energy intensive to produce • May compete directly with food production (corn, soy)

WATER or HYDROELECTRIC Energy from the flow of water. Why is energy of flowing water renewable?

Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy Pros: • Little to no pollution • Renewable • Little cost after building dam Cons: • Building the power station is VERY expensive • Flooding disrupts the ecosystem • Dams prevent fish from swimming upstream

SUMMARY What are the differences between nonrenewable and renewable resources?