What do renewable and nonrenewable resources have in common

Fossil fuels are all nonrenewable. But not all nonrenewables are fossil fuels. Crude oil, natural gas, and coal are all considered fossil fuels, but uranium is not. Rather, it is a heavy metal that is extracted as a solid and then converted by nuclear power plants into a fuel source.

All of these nonrenewable resources have proved historically to be valuable energy sources that are inexpensive to extract. Storage, conversion, and shipping are easy and cheap. Fuels created from nonrenewable resources are still the primary source of all the power generated in the world due to their affordability and high energy content. Most nonrenewable resources are formed from organic carbon material which is heated and compressed over time, changing their form into crude oil or natural gas.

However, the term nonrenewable resource also refers to minerals and metals from the earth, such as gold, silver, and iron. These are similarly formed by a long-term geological process. They are often costly to mine, as they are usually deep within the Earth's crust.

But they are much more abundant than fossil fuels. Some types of groundwater are considered nonrenewable resources if the aquifer is unable to be replenished at the same rate at which it's drained.

In economic terms, nonrenewables are resources of financial or economic value that cannot be readily replaced at the speed with which they are being consumed. Following the basic rule of supply and demand , the cost to obtain nonrenewable resources will continue to rise as they become scarcer.

Supply for many of these fuels is in danger of running out completely. Eventually, their prices will hit a point that end users cannot afford, forcing a move toward alternative energy sources.

Meanwhile, concern over the impact of fossil fuel use on the environment and its contribution to global warming is growing. The first international agreement on fighting climate change was the Kyoto Protocol , adopted in One caveat is that the alternatives require ample lead time to be put into place.

That process has begun slowly. Wind power generated about 6. About 1. In the U. By the end of , research firm IHS Markit predicts that all-electric car sales would surpass 3. Nonrenewable resources are derived from the Earth— in a finite supply that can take billions of years to replenish. Historically, many nonrenewables have been relatively cheap to extract. But as their supply continues to diminish, the cost of this extraction may rise in price, leading customers to use alternative sources, such as solar and wind energy.

Now that we have a clear understanding of what each type of resource is, let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of renewable resources: Disadvantages Renewables are newer, less established, and typically more expensive.

While better for our planet, many types of clean energy infrastructure can cost more to install than traditional energy generating systems. While expensive initially, wind turbines will pay for themselves over time while operational, as energy cost savings outweigh the initial cost. As a result, wind turbines are accessible and valuable investments for those who can afford to pay for them upfront, but this may not be possible in lower-income communities.

Another unfortunate downside to renewable energy ties in with the consequences of our ever-growing world population, and therefore the increased demand for energy. Currently, the electricity demand is so high that it wouldn't be possible to meet global needs with renewable resources alone.

That is not to say that it won't be possible one day, but right now, these demands can only be met by a combination of renewable and nonrenewable energy. People are creatures of habit and prefer to stick to what they know. The newness and unfamiliarity of clean energy can turn people off to investing in such technologies. A great example of this is the phenomenon of electric cars, which we can charge using renewable electricity.

Unfortunately, money ties in with this issue, as running cars on more traditional fuels like diesel and gasoline are significantly cheaper, so people favor these options.

Advantages One of the biggest reasons scientists are promoting renewable energy sources is for environmental reasons. They do not release harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere and help to offset emissions.

They can drastically improve our air quality and respiratory health. Using more environmentally friendly energy sources can save the government millions of dollars in healthcare costs each year, with fewer people hospitalized for asthma and emissions-related respiratory illnesses. In addition to being better for the environment and our health, using more significant amounts of renewable energy means we can conserve nonrenewable resources.

Things like fossil fuels, natural gas, oil, and coal can take millions of years to form, and because they're available in a finite amount, we need to save some for the future. Renewable energy supports job growth globally.

Wind Turbine Technician is the second-fastest-growing job in the U. What are the advantages and disadvantages of nonrenewable resources? So, what about nonrenewable resources? Disadvantages As many people know, nonrenewable energy's main disadvantage lies in its harmful effects on the environment. Nonrenewable alternatives such as coal, oil, and natural gas must be burned to use their energy.

This releases dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which causes global warming. They're costly to extract, and we must constantly search for new supplies for them. They're dangerous — people still die in mining accidents today, even here in the U.

Advantages Nonrenewable energy sources are cheap and relatively accessible. Our infrastructure is optimized for their use. They are used globally every day, which helps drive down the prices of resources like coal, oil, and other fossil fuels. Nonrenewable energy sources are also far more reliable than renewable energy sources, which depend on the elements. Because nonrenewable energy exists in itself and can be stored for later use, we don't have to worry about waiting for the wind to blow or the sun to shine.

How are nonrenewable and renewable resources formed? How does human activity affect the planet's renewable and nonrenewable resources? How easily are renewable and nonrenewable resources obtained and replenished? What do renewable and nonrenewable resources have in common? Describe several ways in which weeds cause forage crop and animal production losses.

Describe methods in determining quality List several poisonous plants found on croplands, pasturelands, rangelands, and forests. Describe the five general categories of weed control methods. Describe the concept of Integrated Pest Management and how it applies to weed control. Distinguish between selective and non-selective herbicides and give an example of each.

Describe how weeds are categorized by life cycle and how this is correlated with specific control methods. Describe conditions that tend to favor weed problems in pastures and describe how to alleviate these conditions. Describe several common weed control practices in alfalfa production.

List printed and electronic sources of weed control information. List local, regional, and national sources of weed control information. Describe the impact of defoliation on grass plants. Discuss how grasses regrow. Discuss how livestock interaction impacts grass growth. Discuss grass growth in mixed stands. Discuss the practical applications of regrowth mechanisms. References Fertilization Overview Pre-Test Instructional Objectives Discuss the importance of soil fertility and the appropriate use of fertilization.

Define and discuss the nitrogen cycle. Discuss the major elements needed for good soil fertility and plant growth. Define and discuss micronutrients. Discuss the uses and methods of liming. Discuss fertilizer management for mixed stands.

Describe the benefits of BNF in economic and environmental terms. Estimate the amount of BNF that is contributed by various crops. List and discuss factors that affect the quantity of nitrogen fixed. They are found in the ground.

There are fixed amounts of these resources. They are not living things, and they are sometimes hard to find. They don't regrow and they are not replaced or renewed. They include the fossil fuels we burn for energy natural gas, coal, and oil.

Minerals, used for making metals, are also nonrenewable natural resources. Nonrenewable natural resources are things that take longer than a person's lifespan to be replaced. In fact, they can take millions of years to form. Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas will not last forever. They are nonrenewable. People are trying hard to find new fuels that are clean and will provide the power we need. Wind, solar, and hydrogen power are renewable resources that offer hope for the future.

People use both types of natural resources to produce the things they need or want. Our homes, clothing, plastics, and foods are all made from natural resources. Let's look at each one of these to be sure. Your home is in a building. Buildings are made out of wood and minerals. Wood is from trees.

Minerals are mined from the ground. Bricks, cement, and metals are made from minerals. How about your clothes? Most of your clothing is made from cotton, polyester, or nylon. Cotton comes from cotton plants. Polyester and nylon are made from oil. Plastics are made from oil too.

How about your food? People eat grains, fruits, and other parts of plants. You may also enjoy dairy products and meat from animals.

Everything we have or use is made from a natural resource. Which of those mentioned here are renewable? Which are nonrenewable? All natural resources should be used wisely. We must conserve natural resources. Conserve means to not use up, spoil, or waste things. This is especially true for the nonrenewable resources. However, even some renewable natural resources can run out if they are all killed or overused.