WORK, ENERGY, POWER Energy Resources.ENERGY RESOURCES
Power sources are divided into two types, renewable and non-renewable.
Non-renewable Non-renewable sources, such as coal, oil, gas and nuclear power currently generate the bulk of our electricity here in Britian, and use extracts from the earth that are not currently being replaced. Estimates on how long these will last vary wildly, oil is probably the most scarce and important given its use in plastic manufacturing and has been given a depletion as close as 2020 by some. Coal is more abundant, and nuclear fuel due to the small amounts used is likely to last much longer. Infact the main problems aren`t just one of depletion but one of the effects of the combustion of these fuels have on our environment, coal, oil and gas all produce acid rain, as well as green house gases that may cause a change in the global climate. Nuclear power is also having problems, it is neither as cheap nor as safe as was promised, there have already been several bad nuclear accidents and there are also suspiciously high levels of cancer amoung poeple living close to some plants.
Renewable Renewable energy sources include wind power, hydro electric power, solar power and various plant burning systems, most of them offer a relatively endless supply of energy, which is does not contribute to global warming and acid rain, unfortantly they are currently more expensive than the others and it is quite likely that a combination of all of them as well as increased efficency of engery consumption, will be needed to meet the energy demands of a country such as Britian.
