5.9 The conservation of energy resources is important. Key ideas include

1. some sources of energy are considered renewable and others are not;
2. individuals and communities have means of conserving both energy and matter; and
3. advances in technology improve the ability to transfer and transform energy.

Central Idea: Some resources are considered renewable and others are not. It is possible to conserve energy.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; however, the availability of certain energy sources differs. Most of the energy used in the United States comes from non-renewable sources.

• Nonrenewable energy sources are natural resources that cannot be replaced after they are used because they take millions of years to form.
  • Fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas are all nonrenewable energy sources.

• Renewable energy sources come from resources that are replaced naturally and can be used again.
  • Wind energy, water behind dams, and sunlight are examples of renewable energy sources.
• Energy use affects the environment in many ways.
  • In general, fossil fuels do more harm to the environment than the use of renewable energy sources.
  • Some harmful consequences of energy use include air and water pollution and wildlife and habitat loss.
• There are many ways to conserve energy.
  • In the home, actions such as turning off the lights and electronic devices when not in use, taking shorter hot showers, and adjusting the thermostat by a few degrees (higher in summer, lower in winter) will conserve energy.
  • Walking or biking instead of taking the car for short trips also conserves energy.
• Advances in technology continually improve our ability to harness and use energy more efficiently.