Term | Definition |
Energy | The ability to cause change. |
Energy Resource | a source or supply of energy that can be used to generate electrical power to meet people's needs. |
Renewable | An energy resource such as trees or wind that is replaced by natural means. |
Nonrenewable | An energy resource that takes millions of years to form from the remains of plants and animals, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. |
Fossil Fuel | A natural non-renewable fuel such as coal, oil, or natural gas formed over a very long time in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. |
Coal | A hard, black, solid fuel formed from the remains of plants over millions of years and extracted from the ground; a nonrenewable fossil fuel. |
Petroleum (Oil) | a flammable, yellow-to-black liquid composed of hydrocarbons occurring naturally beneath Earth's surface; a nonrenewable fossil fuel processed to make gasoline used in vehicles. |
Natural Gas | A gas, usually found in the ground positioned above petroleum deposits, that is burned to obtain energy; a nonrenewable fossil fuel. |
Nuclear Power | the splitting of uranium atoms to release energy. Uranium is found in some minerals and is classified as a nonrenewable natural resource. |
Biomass | Biological material such as plant material or animal waste converted to a usable energy source; a renewable resource. |
Wind Energy | Turbines harness the movement of air and convert it to usable energy; wind energy is a renewable resource. |
Hydropower | Movement of water through a dam in a river is converted to usable energy; hydropower is a renewable resource. |
Geothermal Energy | Heat is harnessed from deep beneath Earth's surface and converted to usable energy; geothermal energy is a renewable resource. |
Solar Resources | The Sun's energy is collected and converted to usable energy; solar energy is a renewable resource. |
Pollution | The presence of harmful or unwanted levels of material in the environment. |
Landfill | Disposal site for solid waste. |
Greenhouse Gases | Greenhouse gases are gases in an atmosphere that absorb and retain heat energy. In moderation these gases insulate a planet from extreme temperature variations; high amounts cause air pollution and overheat the planet. |
Recycling | Reduce: Make smart purchasing decisions that result in less waste and packaging. |
Reuse: Find ways to reuse containers and products | |
Recycle: Properly dispose of used resources so they can be reprocessed into new products. | |
Conservation | Efforts to wisely use, distribute, and protect valuable resources such as fresh water, soil, unique environments, and energy resources, as well as natural and human-made materials. |