Key learning points

1. The sun, directly or indirectly, is the source of all energy on Earth: plants use energy to grow the food we eat.
2. Non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels: coal, oil, natural gas, and the elements uranium and plutonium.
3. Renewable energy sources include solar power, wind, wave and tidal energy, hydro-electric, biomass and geothermal.
4. Non-renewable sources are unsustainable, polluting and a cause of rapid climate change.

Keywords

• Finite - Finite resources have a limit, or an end and will run out.

• Hydro-electric - Hydro-electric power generates electricity by using water.

• Geothermal - Geothermal energy comes from heat contained within the Earth's crust.

• Unsustainable - An unsustainable resource is one that is being used more or faster than it can be replaced or regrown.

Common misconception