BIG IDEA

Students will gain an understanding towards the difference between non-renewable and renewable resources and why it’s important to shift our thinking to use more renewable resources.

BACKGROUND

Renewable energy are forms of power that do not become “used up”. For example, solar power from the sun and wind power from weather are renewable as sunlight and wind are things we can not use until they are gone. Fossil fuels like coal and oil are examples of non-renewable energy sources. Once consumed these resources are gone forever.

Much of the world relies on non-renewable energy to heat their homes, power their electronics and cars. Once these

non-renewable sources of energy are used up, they will be gone forever. Many renewable energy sources are also better at the environment than using fossil fuels by creating less pollution and providing us with cleaner air and water.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What is the difference between non-renewable and renewable resources?

What consequences affect humans by consuming these non-renewable resources too quickly?

How does human consumption of non-renewable resources affect phytoplankton?

What would a city look like if there were no more fossil fuels left to use?