According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nonrenewable energy sources, including fossil fuels and nuclear power, provide more than 92 percent of the world's energy needs. Renewable energy sources contribute just over seven percent.
| Renewable Energy |
Nonrenewable Energy |
Solar Energy
- Heat and light energy from the Sun
- Renews day after day as the Sun shines
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Coal
- Solid that takes millions of years to form
- Mined from the Earth
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Wind Energy
- Motion energy from the wind
- Renews day after day as the wind blows
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Oil
- Liquid that takes millions of years to form
- Pumped from the ground
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Hydropower Energy
- Energy from moving water
- Renews day after day in waves and flowing rivers
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Natural Gas
- Colorless odorless gas that takes millions of years to form
- Pumped from the ground
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Geothermal Energy
- Heat and steam energy beneath the Earth's surface
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Propane Gas
- Natural gas that becomes a liquid gas at high pressure or at low temperature
- Found with natural gas and oil
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Biomass Energy
- Plant material and animal waste used to generate energy
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Nuclear Energy
- Stored in atoms-the smallest particles of chemical elements
- Formed using uranium ore which is mined from the earth
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