Renewable Energy is energy that is produced from everlasting sources such as the sun, the wind and water (rivers, oceans). As the sun or the wind will always be available, renewable energy will never run out. In addition, renewable energy is clean. Non-renewable energy comes from fossil fuels such as oil, coal, turf or gas which are burned to produce energy. When fossil fuels are burned they give off gasses such as carbon dioxide, which is released into the environment. When the existing reserve of fossil fuels has been used up, fossil fuels will be gone forever.

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES Fossil fuels Fossil fuels are materials, such as oil, coal, turf or gas. They were formed millions of years ago with the organic remains of animals and plants. They are burned to produce energy but when the existing reserve has been used up, fossil fuels will be gone forever. When fossil fuels are burned they give off gasses such as carbon dioxide, which is released into the environment. Oil is a fossil fuel. It is a black liquid that you normally find under the ground or under the sea. Oil is processed to make many products such as fuel for cars or even chemicals, paints and plastics. It is very polluting and bad for the environment. Oil will eventually run out. It is therefore called a non-renewable energy source. Questions to promote discussion: What do you see in the picture? What is happening? Why is the oil being taken out of the ground? Where does the oil come from? How is it used to make electricity? Will it run out? Why?/ Why not? Is it a clean energy form? Does it damage the environment? How? Is it a good idea to use this energy to make electricity? What other way is this energy used? Is that a good idea?

Coal is a black or brown rock found under the ground and is very dirty Coal is a black or brown rock found under the ground and is very dirty. Coal is burned in huge power plants and turned into electricity. Burning coal is however extremely bad for the environment because when it burns, gasses such as carbon dioxide are released into the environment. Coal will eventually run out. It is therefore called a non-renewable energy source. Questions to promote discussion: What do you see in the picture? What is happening at the power plant? Name this form of energy? Why is there a container of coal at the plant? How is the coal used to make electricity? Where does the coal come from? Will it run out? Why?/ Why not? Is it a clean energy form? Does it damage the environment? Is it a good idea to use this energy to make electricity? While a lot of our electricity has been produced by coal, oil and other fossil fuels which are now running out (non-renewable), electricity can also be produced through renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, ocean energy, or the energy of falling water.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES Renewable Energy is energy that is produced from everlasting sources like the sun, the wind and water (rivers and oceans). As the sun or the wind will always be available, renewable energy will never run out. In addition, renewable energy is clean. Solar Energy is the light and heat that come from the sun. The light and heat from the sun not only make the plants grow, but can also be used by humans to produce electricity or to warm up the water in your house. The energy from the sun will never run out and is called a renewable energy source. A Solar Panel is a board generally placed on the roof of a house or in any other place that is exposed to sunlight. It soaks up the sunlight that is then converted to use as electricity. Solar panels can also be used to capture the heat from the sun and warm the water we need for our homes. Questions to promote discussion: Name this form of energy? How is it used to make electricity? Where does it come from? Will it run out? Why not? Is it a clean energy form? Does it damage the environment? Is it a good idea to use this energy to make electricity? Why? What other way is this energy used? Is that a good idea?

Wind Power is the energy produced by the movement of the air Wind Power is the energy produced by the movement of the air. When the wind blows it generates movement. This movement can be captured by wind turbines and turned into electricity. Questions to promote discussion: Where is Guzzler? How does he look? Why does he look like this? How is he feeling? Does the wind have power? How do you know? Were you ever blown about by the wind? What happened?

Wind Power is the energy produced by the movement of the air Wind Power is the energy produced by the movement of the air. When the wind blows it generates movement that is captured by wind turbines and turned into electricity. A Wind Turbine is a huge tower with blades; when the wind makes the blades turn, this movement produces electricity. Wind power will never run out and is therefore a renewable energy source. Questions to promote discussion: Name this form of energy? How is it used to make electricity? From where does it come? Will it run out? Why not? Is it a clean energy form? Does it damage the environment? Is it a good idea to use this energy to make electricity? Why? What other way is this energy used? Is that a good idea?

Ocean Energy The seas and the oceans are also a source of energy Ocean Energy The seas and the oceans are also a source of energy. The movement of the waves or the tide can be captured and used to produce electricity. The energy from the sea will never run out and is called a renewable energy source. Questions to promote discussion: Name this form of energy? How is it used to make electricity? Where does it come from? Will it run out? Why not? Is it a clean energy form? Does it damage the environment? Is it a good idea to use this energy to make electricity? Why? What other way is this energy used? Is that a good idea?

Hydro Energy Falling water generates great power which when captured can be turned into electricity. Naturally falling water is a renewable form of energy and is called hydro energy. Questions to promote discussion: Name this form of energy? How is it used to make electricity? Where does it come from? Will it run out? Why not? Is it a clean energy form? Does it damage the environment? Is it a good idea to use this energy to make electricity? Why? What other way is this energy used? Is that a good idea?

Bioenergy When harvested sustainably, timber/wood is considered a renewable resource because it can be replenished within a timeframe meaningful to humans. It is referred to as Bioenergy. Questions to promote discussion: Name this form of energy? How is it used to make electricity? Where does it come from? Will it run out? Why?/ Why not? Are there parts of the world in which timber is running out? What is causing that to happen? How can humans avoid having timber run out? Is it a clean energy form? Does it damage the environment? Is it a good idea to use this energy to make electricity? What other way can this energy be used?

Sorting and classifying activity Energy sources as renewable or non-renewable forms of energy.

Renewable energy vocabulary matched to images.

Quiz time: The quiz questions on the following pages are in multiple choice format with 3 optional answers. They can be completed as paired or small group activities allowing for talk and discussion or on an individual basis. Suggestion: Each child/pair/group has cards / key-ring / fan with numbers to hold up for the correct answer.

Answer: Wind Sun

Answer: Coal

Answer: Gas