Energy Sources and Resources

Non-renewable and Renewable Resources

• Non-renewable resources are finite and cannot be replenished or regenerated at the rate they are consumed.
• Examples of non-renewable resources include fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
• Renewable resources are replenished naturally and can be used repeatedly without running out.
• Examples of renewable resources include sunlight, wind, water, and biomass.

Energy Sources

• Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) provide energy through combustion, releasing carbon dioxide and other pollutants when burned.
• Renewable energy sources include:
  • Solar energy (from sunlight)
  • Wind energy
  • Hydroelectric energy (from flowing water)
  • Biomass energy (from organic materials)
  • Geothermal energy (from heat within the Earth)
• Advantages of renewable energy:
  • Sustainable
  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
  • Decreases dependence on finite resources
• Challenges of renewable energy:
  • Intermittency (some sources are not always available)
  • Initial investment costs
  • Land use requirements

The Water Cycle

• The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
• Processes in the water cycle include:
  • Evaporation (conversion of liquid water into vapor)
  • Condensation (conversion of water vapor into liquid water)
  • Precipitation (water falling from the atmosphere)
  • Runoff (movement of water over land into bodies of water)
  • Infiltration (water seeping into soil and replenishing underground water sources)
  • Transpiration (release of water vapor from plants into the atmosphere)

Water Management

• Water management involves the conservation, distribution, and purification of water resources to meet human and environmental needs.
• Conservation efforts:
  • Reduce water waste
  • Promote efficient water use
  • Protect ecosystems that provide water
• Distribution ensures equitable access to clean water for:
  • Drinking
  • Sanitation
  • Agriculture
  • Industry
  • Ecosystems
• Water purification involves treating contaminated water to make it safe for human consumption and ecosystem health, using methods such as:
  • Filtration
  • Chlorination
  • Desalination

Learn about the differences between non-renewable and renewable resources, including fossil fuels, coal, oil, natural gas, sunlight, wind, water, and biomass.