1. Different Types Of Resources
In pairs, DEFINE the term ‘resource’, prize for the best effort.
‘a naturally occurring product (wood, coal, wind) that can
be used in its own right made into something else’

2. By the end of the lesson…
• ALL of you will be able to name one type of
resource.
• MOST of you will be able to define the terms
sustainable, renewable and non-renewable.
• SOME of you will be able to state the benefits
(good points) and costs (bad points) of at least
one type of energy source.

3. Odd One Out and Why?

4. Classifying Resources
Renewable
They will never run out and can
be used over and over again.
Non-renewable
These are being used up and
cannot be replaced.
Sustainable
These are meeting the needs of
people now, without preventing
future generations from
meeting theirs.

5. Coal
A fossil fuel that was formed
millions of years ago from the
remains of dead trees. It is used
as a domestic fuel (heating in
homes) and to generate electricity
in coal fired power stations.
Burning it releases a lot of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere.
Wind
This can be used to turn wind
turbines that generate electricity.
Wind energy is very
environmentally friendly and the
UK has the potential to generate
almost all of it’s electricity
through wind farms. However,
they can be limited by the
frequency of the wind.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is used for electricity
production, heating and cooking
in Europe. It was created
approximately 350 million years
ago when tiny marine organisms
died and sank to the bottom of
the sea. It’s a type of fossil fuel
and emits carbon dioxide when it
is burned. Much of the UK’s North
Sea gas has now been used up.
Uranium
This mineral is used to generate
huge amounts of heat needed to
create nuclear energy, a valuable
method of electricity generation.
Nuclear energy produces very
little pollution, however it creates
potentially dangerous radioactive
waste that can cause severe
illness and damage to the
environment.
Tides
These regular changes in the
height of the sea can be used to
turn underwater turbines to
generate electricity. They are very
reliable, but as to date this type of
energy generation is still in the
research and development phase.
Wood
Produced by the growth of timber
(trees). A very important resource
that has multiple uses such as:
paper, fuel and construction.
Apples
A fruit that is grown commercially
as a food stuff throughout the
world.
Biogas
This resource is created by the
decomposition (break down) of
organic matter such as wood
chips and animal dung. This
releases methane gas that can be
used to provide electricity or burnt
as fuel source.
Solar
The primary source of all the
Earth’s energy, the Sun is vitally
important to grow crops, rear
animals and maintain the Earth’s
temperature. In recent years
scientists have developed the use
of solar panels to generate
electricity and heat water. Solar
energy production creates
virtually no pollution.
Vegetable Oil
Produced by the growth of plants
such as palm nuts, vegetable oil is
important for cooking, heating
and as an ingredient in cosmetics
and food products. Many of the
worlds tropical rainforests are
being chopped down to be
replaced by palm plantations,
destroying the habitats of many
endangered species and
contributing to climate change.
Wave Power
40% of the worlds population lives
at the coast. The energy from
waves could be used to turn
turbines to generate electricity.
Still in its infancy this type of
energy production is very rarely
used, despite being
environmentally friendly.
Beef
Produced from the rearing of
cows, beef is a vital food product
used around the world. As people
become richer they are tending to
eat more meat in their diets.
Many parts of the biosphere have,
or are being altered by cattle
ranching. Cows produce methane,
a greenhouse gas which
contributes to climate change.

6. The Current UK Energy Mix
1. Describe the current energy
mix of the UK using figures
from the table.
2. How has energy
consumption changed from
1965 to 2005?

7. Are There Enough Resources?

8. Esther Boserup
• In 1965 Boserup wrote "necessity is the
mother of invention". That means, if you
need it, someone will invent it.
• So if more food was needed she
wrote that people would invent ways
of increasing food supply - crops that
fight diseases or survive with less
water are examples of this.

9. Thomas Malthus
• In the 18th century Malthus wrote that the rate of
population growth was faster than the rate that food
supplies could grow. In time, there would not be
enough resources for everyone. Some people would
therefore starve and the population would reduce
again.
• More people may be killed from wars over trying to
get hold of resources - he called these a positive
check. People might try to prevent this from
happening by having smaller families. He called this
a preventative check.