Energy and Matter:Natural Resources

SCI 7726

What is a natural resource?

Renewable/ Nonrenewable

Questions from activities?

I. Renewable resources

Capable of being regeneratedMust be used sustainably- they DO have limitsVital natural resources?

II. Resource management

B. example: freshwater

III. Nonrenewable resources: fossil fuels

Sources of energy

B. Where do fossil fuels come from?

C. Distribution of fossil fuels

D. Need energy to get energy

EROI- energy returned on investment

EROI= energy returned/ energy invested40’s: 100 to 170’s: 30:1Now: 5: 1

D. Coal

E. Natural gas

Mostly methane: CH4

Biogenicthermogenic

F. Oil

IV. Alternatives

NuclearBiomassHydroelectricSolarWindGeothermal