1. Energy!
Your World and You

2. Renewable Resources
Renewable resources can be used over and over again.
Some examples of renewable resources are:
Solar Energy (sun)
Wind Energy
Geothermal (the heat of the earth)
Hydroelectric (water)
Biomass (plants)

3. Solar Energy
Solar panels collect radiant energy from the sun and convert it to electricity
Solar energy has been used in planes, cars, buildings, and it used to power satellites and The International Space Station
Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy in their leaves
When animals and plants die, their energy decomposes and over time becomes oil, coal and natural gas.

4. Wind Energy
Large wind turbines spin in the power of the wind to generate electricity
Wind power has been used since the windmills used to turn gears to grind grains

5. Biomass Biomass is a renewable energy source.
Biofuels are transportation fuels produced from biomass.
Biomass

6. Geothermal Energy Uses heat from the earth to make electricity
Geothermal steam and hot springs have been used for centuries for bathing and heating

7. Hydroelectric About 5% of the energy we use
Uses the force of flowing or falling water to make electricity
When the dam at Niagara Falls was constructed it was the largest in the world!
About 5% of the energy we use

8. Non-Renewable Energy
A natural resource that cannot be re-made, re-grown or regenerated
Some examples of Non-renewable resources are:
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Nuclear
Fossil fuels come from prehistoric fossils. Ancient plants absorbed energy from the sun and converted it into more plants. Ancient animals ate the plants.
When the plants and animals died their remains collected and decomposed into fuel.

9. Coal Pollutes the air. About 20% of the energy we use.
A fossil fuel that is burned to release energy
Coal has been used as fuel as early as 3000 BCE and is still used today
Pollutes the air.
About 20% of the energy we use.

10. Oil About 45% of the energy we use. Pollutes the water.
A fossil fuel that must be purified before it can be used to produce energy
Crude oil is found deep in the earth and is drilled and then pumped out of the earth
About 45% of the energy we use. Pollutes the water.

11. Natural Gas Pollutes air and water. About 25% of the energy we use.
Natural gas is a major source of electricity generation through the use of gas turbines
Natural gas is actually odorless until an odorant is added for safety reasons
Pollutes air and water.
About 25% of the energy we use.

12. Nuclear Energy Nuclear power comes from radioactive materials
A coal power plant releases 100 times as much radiation as a nuclear power plant of the same wattage
Comes from radioactive uranium
Produces far more power per ton than any other energy source
Does NOT contribute to air pollution
Produces radioactive waste and is hazardous to living things
Exposure to radioactive materials can result in mutations, illness or death
Hard finding a safe place to dispose of waste
About 6% of energy we use