Non-Renewable resources are resources that are limited in supply and will one day be depleted. Non-Renewable resources cannot be used over and over again. Coal, oil, and natural gas, which are better known as fossil fuels, are all non-renewable resources. Nuclear energy is also a non-renewable resource.
Coal, oil, and natural gas account for approximately 88% of the world's energy use, while nuclear energy is around 6%. Although fossil fuels are reliable, they cannot be used forever, due to the fact that the supplies of fossil fuels on earth will eventually be depleted. The graph to the right shows the the predicted amounts of reserves of fossil fuels the earth will have left at the end of each year. Oil, which is the one that humans rely on the most for their energy use, is predicted to only last us until 2052. Including the reserves of natural gas and coal, it is estimated that our fossil fuels will run out by 2088. Although there will probably be new reserves that are found, it will not increase the life span of fossil fuels by much, which is why many people are looking to new forms of gaining energy.
On top of not being able to last us forever, except for the possibility of nuclear energy, all the non-renewable resources used on earth have negative effects on the environment. Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, which is the main greenhouse gas on earth. It is assumed that the combustion of fossil fuels is the main reason why the levels of carbon dioxide are so much higher. Also, scientists estimate that the temperature of the earth's surface has gone up by a degree in the 20th century as a result of the carbon dioxide emissions. Global warming impacts everything on earth. The warmer temperatures cause the ice in the Arctic and Antarctic to melt, which makes it harder for animals living that region to live. The melting ice also increases the sea level and changes the composition of the surrounding waters, lowering the concentration of salt.
Air pollution is also another consequence of burning fossil fuels. Many different kinds of hydrocarbons are released into the air when non-renewable resources are burnt. When hydrocarbons react with nitrogen oxides, they form smog, which affects human health and plant growth, which further affects the greenhouse effect that carbon dioxide causes.
The burning of fossil fuels also releases nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, and sulfur oxides, all of which contribute to acid rain. When acid rain falls into rivers and streams, it causes the water to become acidic, and as the acid accumulates, the water becomes inhabitable for plants and animals.
Particulates are also released into the air through the burning of many fossil fuels. These particulates help form smog.
Burning fossil fuels also releases heat. Heat is generally released into the air, but sometimes, water is used to remove the heat. However, when water is used, the heated water brings it back to rivers and lakes and is able to upset the aquatic ecosystem as a result.
Coal, oil, and natural gas account for approximately 88% of the world's energy use, while nuclear energy is around 6%. Although fossil fuels are reliable, they cannot be used forever, due to the fact that the supplies of fossil fuels on earth will eventually be depleted. The graph to the right shows the the predicted amounts of reserves of fossil fuels the earth will have left at the end of each year. Oil, which is the one that humans rely on the most for their energy use, is predicted to only last us until 2052. Including the reserves of natural gas and coal, it is estimated that our fossil fuels will run out by 2088. Although there will probably be new reserves that are found, it will not increase the life span of fossil fuels by much, which is why many people are looking to new forms of gaining energy.
On top of not being able to last us forever, except for the possibility of nuclear energy, all the non-renewable resources used on earth have negative effects on the environment. Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, which is the main greenhouse gas on earth. It is assumed that the combustion of fossil fuels is the main reason why the levels of carbon dioxide are so much higher. Also, scientists estimate that the temperature of the earth's surface has gone up by a degree in the 20th century as a result of the carbon dioxide emissions. Global warming impacts everything on earth. The warmer temperatures cause the ice in the Arctic and Antarctic to melt, which makes it harder for animals living that region to live. The melting ice also increases the sea level and changes the composition of the surrounding waters, lowering the concentration of salt.
Air pollution is also another consequence of burning fossil fuels. Many different kinds of hydrocarbons are released into the air when non-renewable resources are burnt. When hydrocarbons react with nitrogen oxides, they form smog, which affects human health and plant growth, which further affects the greenhouse effect that carbon dioxide causes.
The burning of fossil fuels also releases nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, and sulfur oxides, all of which contribute to acid rain. When acid rain falls into rivers and streams, it causes the water to become acidic, and as the acid accumulates, the water becomes inhabitable for plants and animals.
Particulates are also released into the air through the burning of many fossil fuels. These particulates help form smog.
Burning fossil fuels also releases heat. Heat is generally released into the air, but sometimes, water is used to remove the heat. However, when water is used, the heated water brings it back to rivers and lakes and is able to upset the aquatic ecosystem as a result.