- Coal: Non-renewable; Advantages: High energy output, abundant reserves, established infrastructure; Disadvantages: Major air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, mining hazards, finite supply.
- Wind: Renewable; Advantages: Clean, no emissions during operation, low operating costs, inexhaustible; Disadvantages: Intermittent (needs wind), land use, noise, visual impact, can affect birds and bats.
- Solar: Renewable; Advantages: Clean, silent, low maintenance, scalable, reduces electricity bills; Disadvantages: Intermittent (needs sunlight), high initial cost, space-intensive, manufacturing has environmental impact.
- Hydroelectric: Renewable; Advantages: Reliable, low operating cost, flood control, water supply; Disadvantages: Ecosystem disruption, displacement of communities, high upfront cost, drought vulnerability.
- Oil: Non-renewable; Advantages: High energy density, versatile (transport, industry), easy to transport; Disadvantages: Pollution, climate change contributor, price volatility, geopolitical conflicts, finite.
- Natural Gas: Non-renewable; Advantages: Cleaner than coal/oil, efficient, flexible for power/heat; Disadvantages: Still emits CO2, methane leaks, fracking concerns, finite resource.
- Nuclear: Non-renewable; Advantages: High energy output, low emissions during operation, reliable baseload power; Disadvantages: Radioactive waste, high cost, safety risks, long construction time, proliferation concerns.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of renewable nonrenewable resources worksheet.
