Earth Science

Natural Resources

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

Study Tip
The Hoover Dam generates 4 billion kilo-watt hours of power each year through renewable hydroelectric energy.

Nonrenewable Resources

  • A non-renewable resource is a resource that cannot be replenished as quickly as they are used.
  • Non-renewable resources such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, and uranium require millions of years to form.
  • The usage of nonrenewable resources often harms the environment.
Study Tip
The Hoover Dam generates 4 billion kilo-watt hours of power each year through renewable hydroelectric energy.
Study Tip
The same way a person may cast a shadow over another person when they stand under the sun, planets or celestial bodies that have aligned themselves cast shadows over one another as well.

Renewable Resources

  • A renewable resource is a resource that can be replenished as quickly as they are used.
  • Renewable resources include solar, water, wind, biomass, and geothermal energy.
  • However, renewable resources are expensive, and tend to serve other purposes other than the creation of energy.

Energy Consideration

  • When creating energy, there are two main things we must consider.
  • There must be a practical method of converting the resource into energy.
  • We must consider the consequences of using this energy.
  • Our society relies on energy on a large scale, so it is important to consider how efficiently and effectively we transport energy.
  • Old electrical grids are inefficient, and have high failure rates. New electrical grids, or smart grids, streamline the distribution of electricity more efficiently.
Wind energy
Energy can be harnessed through many different means, such as wind energy.

Energy Consideration

  • When creating energy, there are two main things we must consider.
  • There must be a practical method of converting the resource into energy.
  • We must consider the consequences of using this energy.
  • Our society relies on energy on a large scale, so it is important to consider how efficiently and effectively we transport energy.
  • Old electrical grids are inefficient, and have high failure rates. New electrical grids, or smart grids, streamline the distribution of electricity more efficiently.
Concept Check
  • What are the different types of renewable energy?
  • Why are certain types of energy considered “renewable”?
  • Is it always worth it to use a renewable energy source? When could it be harmful to do so?

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