Different Types Of ResourcesIn pairs, DEFINE the term ‘resource’, prize for the best effort.

‘a naturally occurring product (wood, coal, wind) that can be used in its own right made into something else’

By the end of the lesson…

• ALL of you will be able to name one type of resource.

• MOST of you will be able to define the terms sustainable, renewable and non-renewable.

• SOME of you will be able to state the benefits (good points) and costs (bad points) of at least one type of energy source.

Odd One Out and Why?

Renewable

They will never run out

and can be used over and over

again.

Non-renewabl

eThese are

being used up and

cannot be replaced.

Sustainable

These are meeting the

needs of people now,

without preventing

future generations

from meeting theirs.

Classifying Resources

CoalA fossil fuel that was formed

millions of years ago from the remains of dead trees. It is used

as a domestic fuel (heating in homes) and to generate

electricity in coal fired power stations. Burning it releases a lot

of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

WindThis can be used to turn wind

turbines that generate electricity. Wind energy is very

environmentally friendly and the UK has the potential to generate

almost all of it’s electricity through wind farms. However,

they can be limited by the frequency of the wind.

Natural GasNatural gas is used for electricity production, heating and cooking

in Europe. It was created approximately 350 million years ago when tiny marine organisms died and sank to the bottom of the sea. It’s a type of fossil fuel

and emits carbon dioxide when it is burned. Much of the UK’s North

Sea gas has now been used up.

UraniumThis mineral is used to generate huge amounts of heat needed to create nuclear energy, a valuable method of electricity generation.

Nuclear energy produces very little pollution, however it creates potentially dangerous radioactive

waste that can cause severe illness and damage to the

environment.

TidesThese regular changes in the

height of the sea can be used to turn underwater turbines to

generate electricity. They are very reliable, but as to date this type of

energy generation is still in the research and development phase.

WoodProduced by the growth of timber (trees). A very important resource

that has multiple uses such as: paper, fuel and construction.

ApplesA fruit that is grown commercially

as a food stuff throughout the world.

BiogasThis resource is created by the decomposition (break down) of

organic matter such as wood chips and animal dung. This

releases methane gas that can be used to provide electricity or

burnt as fuel source.

SolarThe primary source of all the

Earth’s energy, the Sun is vitally important to grow crops, rear

animals and maintain the Earth’s temperature. In recent years

scientists have developed the use of solar panels to generate

electricity and heat water. Solar energy production creates

virtually no pollution.

Vegetable OilProduced by the growth of plants such as palm nuts, vegetable oil is

important for cooking, heating and as an ingredient in cosmetics and food products. Many of the worlds tropical rainforests are

being chopped down to be replaced by palm plantations,

destroying the habitats of many endangered species and

contributing to climate change.

Wave Power40% of the worlds population lives at the coast. The energy

from waves could be used to turn turbines to generate electricity.

Still in its infancy this type of energy production is very rarely

used, despite being environmentally friendly.

Beef Produced from the rearing of

cows, beef is a vital food product used around the world. As people become richer they are tending to

eat more meat in their diets.Many parts of the biosphere have, or are being altered by

cattle ranching. Cows produce methane, a greenhouse gas which

contributes to climate change.

The Current UK Energy Mix

1. Describe the current energy mix of the UK using figures from the table.

2. How has energy consumption changed from 1965 to 2005?

Are There Enough Resources?

Esther Boserup

• In 1965 Boserup wrote "necessity is the mother of invention". That means, if you need it, someone will invent it.

• So if more food was needed she wrote that people would invent ways of increasing food supply - crops that fight diseases or survive with less water are examples of this.

Thomas Malthus

• In the 18th century Malthus wrote that the rate of population growth was faster than the rate that food supplies could grow. In time, there would not be enough resources for everyone. Some people would therefore starve and the population would reduce again.

• More people may be killed from wars over trying to get hold of resources - he called these a positive check. People might try to prevent this from happening by having smaller families. He called this a preventative check.