Learning Target #3 I can explain the causes and effects of the scarcity of natural resources. ENERGY

BEFORE WE BEGIN, LET’S REVIEW. Energy sources are divided into two groups — renewable (an energy source that can be easily replenished) and nonrenewable (an energy source that we are using up and cannot recreate).

We get most of our energy from nonrenewable energy sources.

MORE FROM THAT PIE CHART: Most of the gasoline used in our cars and motorcycles and the diesel fuel used in our trucks are made from petroleum oil, a nonrenewable resource. Natural gas, used to heat homes, dry clothes, and cook food, is nonrenewable. The propane that fuels our outdoor grills is made from oil and natural gas, both nonrenewable.

CONNECT BACK TO OUR LEARNING TARGET We know that as we use more and more of these nonrenewable resources, the supply of them ____________________. IncreasesORDecreases ?

(Decreases) If we use so much of a resource to the point where there’s not enough to meet our needs anymore, we have a _____________. ScarcityORSurplus ?

(Scarcity) Because we know that we have a scarcity of some of these nonrenewable resources, we’re trying to use more renewable resources.

RENEWABLE RESOURCES Renewable energy sources including biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar provide 8% of the energy used in the United States. Most renewable energy goes to producing electricity.

WHY DON’T WE USE MORE RENEWABLE RESOURCES? In the past, renewable energy has generally been more expensive to produce and use than fossil fuels. Renewable resources are often located in remote areas, and it is expensive to build power lines to the cities where the electricity they produce is needed. The use of renewable sources is also limited by the fact that they are not always available — cloudy days reduce solar power; calm days reduce wind power; and droughts reduce the water available for hydropower.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES: Right click and then choose “Open hyperlink.” Read about four types of renewable energy resources.

CHOOSE ONE AND READ MORE Choose one of the four renewable resources to read more about: BiomassGeothermal SolarWind

CAN YOU EXPLAIN? From reading, you should be able to identify some of the pros and cons  of using that renewable resource.