There are many energy sources we use and depend on each day. Some, like fossil fuels, are nonrenewable. There is a limited amount available and we are using them faster than the earth can develop more. Other resources that are regularly renewed and replenished are called renewable resources.

The sun’s energy is renewed daily. It provides warmth and light and gives plants energy to make food * (renewable—it goes on and on).

Coal is a source formed millions of years ago. We use it for heat and to generate electricity * (nonrenewable—someday it’ll be gone).

We use natural gas to cook our food and keep us warm. There is a limited amount of natural gas trapped in reservoirs in the earth. It was also formed millions of years ago * (nonrenewable—someday it’ll be gone).

Our water moves in a continuous cycle, always replenishing. We can use moving water to generate electricity * (renewable—it goes on and on).

Petroleum or oil is a resource found in the earth that we use for heat and light and to fuel our cars, buses, and airplanes * (nonrenewable—someday it’ll be gone).

Trees get their energy to grow from the sun. We get wood from the trees. We can use wood for heat and light and to build camp fires * (renewable—it goes on and on).

Wind also gets its energy from the sun. No matter how much we use the wind today, it will be there tomorrow and next year. The wind causes motion and can move things like kites, sailboats, and windmills. Some windmills can generate electricity for us * (renewable—it goes on and on).

Coal, oil, and natural gas are resources that we depend on. They can be convenient, efficient, and available, but someday we may not have enough to satisfy our needs * (nonrenewable—someday it’ll be gone).

Uranium is found in the earth. It is used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. It only takes a little bit of uranium to generate a lot of electricity, but someday the uranium may be all used up * (nonrenewable—someday it’ll be gone).

Biofuels are derived from plants that capture the sun’s energy and convert it to biomass. Some farmers grow crops to convert into ethanol, which, when combined with gasoline, makes gasohol. Biofuels can be produced continually * (renewable—it goes on and on).

Geothermal energy, or heat from within the earth, is used to provide moist heat for greenhouses, to heat buildings, and some is harnessed to generate electricity * (renewable—it goes on and on).

Renewables, like the sun, wind, water, and wood, have been used for thousands of years and will be around for thousands more * (renewable—it goes on and on).