Renewable and Non- Renewable

Resources
MODULE 4

GE-ES Environmental Science

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Chapter 4
Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

Making Connections
In Module 3, you have learned about the biogeochemical cycles that are essential to life.
These include water, carbon-oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus, among others.

Natural resources are components that exist in the world without the input of humans.
These are diverse ranging from renewable to nonrenewable, living to nonliving, as well as
tangible to intangible resources (Sawe, 2018). These resources are essential to our survival
and that of all other living organisms. As what you have shared in the discussion forums, all
the products in the world use natural resources as their basic component. These could be
water, air, natural chemicals or energy. The high demand for natural resources around the
world has led to their rapid depletion. Thus, as what we have learned in the previous
lessons, the integration of economic growth and environmental protection shall be done in
accordance with the sustainable development approach.

Overview
In this module, you will learn about the components and uses of renewable and nonrenewable
natural resources that are available to us. These include mineral and energy, soil, water and
biological resources. The study of this module will take you around 3 hours, however, you may do it
at your own pace. Where there are suggested internet links, please visit the site and read.

Learning Outcomes
After completing the study of this module, you should be able to:
1. Distinguish the components and uses of renewable and nonrenewable natural
resources; and
2. Make a model (diagram) of the components of renewable and nonrenewable natural
resources.

Initial Activity
You may recall that natural resources are materials or things that people use from the
Earth. These are natural assets (raw materials) occurring in nature that can be used for
economic production or consumption (OECD, 2005). There are two types of natural
resources: renewable and nonrenewable.

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Renewable natural resources are resources that can naturally regenerate after use or never
run out. These include solar energy, water, natural vegetation, animals, and wind
resources. In contrast, nonrenewable natural resources refer to things that take too long to
replenish after use or exist in limited quantities. These include products such as natural
gas, petroleum, crude oil, precious metals, minerals, and rocks.

Instruction :
Complete the crossword puzzle below by using the components of renewable and
nonrenewable natural resources.

8 2

9 10 4

ACROSS
1. A renewable resource from the Sun.
2. A renewable resource from heat below the Earth's surface.
3. A nonrenewable resource that is formed from marine organisms often found in rock
layers, which is used for cooking and heating.
4. A renewable resource that is made from rotting plant material.
5. An alternative energy source that is based on atomic fission.

DOWN
6. A renewable energy that is created from the burning of sugarcane and/or wood.
7. A nonrenewable resource that takes a very long time to form from decomposing organic
matter.
8. The other term for gasoline, which is a nonrenewable energy source.
9. A renewable resource that is created from the differences in air pressure.
10. A nonrenewable energy source that is derived from fossil fuels.
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Lesson Proper
What is Natural Resources?

As mentioned earlier, natural resources are components that exist in the world without the input of
humans. Our lives and that of all other organisms are dependent on these resources. We need
natural resources for our survival, growth, development, and progress. These include materials,
water, energy, minerals, and others that can be transformed to produce benefits (Chan, 2016).
These resources may be classified into renewable and nonrenewable resources (Figure 4.1).

Figure 4.1. Classification of resources into renewable or nonrenewable (Ophardt, 1998 as cited by Chan,
2016).
However, the current pace of development in the world economy and the accelerated population
growth threaten to soon lead to exhaustion of nonrenewable energy resources and to exceed the

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speed of regeneration of renewable resources such as water, energy, and food (Rajović &
Bulatović, 2017).
Renewable Natural Resources

Renewable natural resources are natural resources that, after exploitation, can return to their
previous stock levels by natural processes of growth or replenishment. Conditionally renewable
resources are those whose exploitation eventually reaches a level beyond which regeneration will
become impossible. Such is the case with the clear-cutting of tropical forests (OECD, 2001a).

The renewable resources include solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass such as
ethanol. Solar energy is converted into electricity with the use of photovoltaic cells. Wind energy
generates electricity by turning wind turbines that can supply power and it can even be stored in the
power grid. With hydropower, the mechanical
energy from flowing water in rivers and streams is Wind and solar power used
to generate electricity. Geothermal energy comes generation provides a from
the heat generated deep within the Earth’s core, clean alternative for future
usually found at tectonic plate boundaries near generations (WWF,
volcanic activity. Biomass refers to organic material 2003). from
plants or animals including wood, sewage, and
ethanol (which comes from corn or other plants).
(National Geographic Society, n.d.).

The largest wind power project in Southeast Asia is the Burgos Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte,
Philippines with a capacity of 150 MW (WSP, n.d.). According to its engineering provider, the project
has received a Certificate of Recognition during the 2015 Asia Power Engineering International Best
Renewable Energy Project award. The wind farm in Burgos, Ilocos Norte is shown in Figure 4.2.

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Figure 4.2. The 150 MW Burgos Wind Farm (Ilocos Norte, Philippines) is the largest wind power project in
Southeast Asia (WSP, n.d.)
Nonrenewable Natural Resources

Nonrenewable natural resources are exhaustible natural resources such as mineral resources that
cannot be regenerated after exploitation (OECD, 2001b). As presented in Figure 4.1, we have three
major components of nonrenewable resources: fossil fuels (natural gas, oil, coal); metallic minerals
(iron, copper, aluminum); and nonmetallic minerals (salt, phosphates).

Fossil fuels were formed within the Earth from decomposing plants and other organisms, buried
beneath layers of sediment and rock, over millions of years to become carbon-rich deposits. These
nonrenewable fuels, which include natural gas, oil, and coal, supply about 80 percent of the world’s
energy. They provide electricity, heat, and transportation, while also feeding the processes that
make a huge range of products, from steel to plastics. When fossil fuels are burned, they release
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which in turn trap heat in our atmosphere, making
them the primary contributors to global warming and climate change. (Nunez, 2019).

Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances found under varying conditions and in
different types of geological environments. They have a crystalline structure and come with a
definite chemical composition. Minerals are divided into two types, namely: metallic and nonmetallic
minerals. Metallic minerals are composed of one or more metallic elements whereas nonmetallic
minerals do not contain any metal elements instead they consist of chemical elements that usually
don’t feature the properties or characteristics of metals. (BYJU’s, n.d.).

Metallic minerals are usually obtained from ores while nonmetallic minerals are procured from
industrial rocks and minerals. Their key differences are summarized in the table below:

Metallic mineral Nonmetallic mineral

 Metal elements are present in their raw form  Do NOT contain any metal substances

 When melted, a new product is formed  NO new product after a melting process
 Usually found in igneous and metamorphic rock  Often found embedded in young fold mountains
formations and sedimentary rocks
 Good conductors of electricity as well as heat  Good insulators of electricity and heat

 High malleability and ductility, can be beaten  Lack in malleability and ductility and these
into sheets and stretched to produce wires minerals break down easily

 Generally, have a shiny surface  Do NOT have a shiny surface

 Less abundant  More abundant
 Examples: Copper, tin, iron, manganese, gold,  Examples: Carbon, gypsum, potash, precious
etc. stones, boron, sulfur, mica, quartz, dolomite,
diamond etc.

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Source: Modified from BYJU’s (n.d.) and JavaTpoint (n.d.)

Learning Check
Learning Check 4.1: Fill out the table below with the components of renewable natural resources in
Palawan and their uses. Note: Maximum of five components and include as many uses or functions
as you have observed.

Component (Renewable resources) Use/function(s)

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Learning Check 4.2: From your reading on the “State of the Environment 2015 Updates,
Province of Palawan (UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve)” (PCSDS, 2015), fill out the table
below with the components of nonrenewable natural resources in Palawan and their uses. Note:
Maximum of three components and include as many uses or functions as you have observed.

Component (Nonrenewable resources) Use/function(s)

1. 

2. 

3. 

Leave a message here to your teacher if you have questions:

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Learning Enrichment 3.3

To enrich your knowledge about the phosphorus cycle, read the following references:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kUE0BZtTRc
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgjfJGfusdE
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl5tY5Noacc
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5c50-_hcD0
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8HmRLCgDAI
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFQrE91kZwk
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHWcddUZ35s
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGmwtDffc74
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaXBVYr9Ij0
10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-njmj0diWu8
11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPAqfTNiais
12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN6LvH_4Q3g
13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ovdxOvP_A
14. https://study.com/academy/lesson/nonrenewable-resources-definition-examples.html
15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdR_6Taga5A
16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxHdUd_Q12Y
17. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-guide-to-the-energy-of-the-earth-joshua-m-sneideman

Assessment Task
LET’S DO THIS!

Instructon:

Make a model (diagram) of the components of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources in
our province. In your explanation, consider that Palawan is a man and biosphere reserve (Mark: 30).

Rubric
Mark
Criteria
10 6-9 3-5 1-2

Integration of The model The model The model The model

knowledge (diagram) (diagram) (diagram) (diagram) does
demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates not demonstrate
that the student that the student, that the student, that the student

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fully understands for the most part, to a certain understands the

the scientific understands the extent,
concepts being understands the scientific
utilized. These scientific concepts being
concepts are concepts being Scientific utilized.
integrated and utilized. concepts being
contextualized utilized.
into the student’s
These concepts,
own insights.
to a certain
extent, are
integrated and
contextualized
into the student’s
own insights.

Clarity of content In-depth In-depth The student has Cursory or hasty

omitted important discussion in all
discussion and discussion and components of the components
renewable and of renewable and
nonrenewable nonrenewable
elaboration in all elaboration in
natural resources natural resources
the components most components
in Palawan. in Palawan.
of renewable and of renewable and
nonrenewable nonrenewable
natural resources natural resources
in Palawan. in Palawan.

Clear and Simple and very Simple but not Complex and Impossible to tell
attractive easy to easy to tell what what component
illustration understand what component is difficult to tell is being
component is what component illustrated.
being illustrated. is being
being illustrated. illustrated.

NOTE:
Reflection (For those who are taking this module offline ONLY)

Make a reflection paper on what you have learned in Module 4 in relation to the renewable and
nonrenewable natural resources in Palawan. Not more than two pages.

References
Books and Other Published Materials:

Chan, N. W. (2016). Resource Basis of Our Life. In M. A. Ngai Weng Chan, Hidefumi Imura, Akihiro
Nakamura (Ed.), Sustainable Urban Development Textbook (1st ed.). Water Watch Penang &
Yokohama City University.

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CRS & MEAS. (2015). Understanding Natural Resources: A SMART Skills Manual. Catholic Relief
Services, Baltimore, MD, and Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services project, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Cunningham, W., & Cunningham, M. A. (2017). Principles of ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: Inquiry
& Application, Eighth Edition. McGraw-Hill Education, New York, USA.
PCSDS. (2015). State of the Environment 2015 Updates, Province of Palawan (UNESCO Man and
Biosphere Reserve), Philippines. Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Puerto
Princesa City, Philippines.
Rajović, G., & Bulatović, J. (2017). Natural Resources , Classification of Natural Potential ,
Sustainable Development. World News of Natural Science, 6, 20–35.
Wright, R. T., & Boorse, D. F. (2017). Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future.
Pearson Education, Inc. USA.

Internet Links:

BYJU’s. (n.d.). Non-metallic minerals. https://byjus.com/chemistry/difference-between-metallic-and-

non-metallic-minerals/#:~:text=Ans%3A%20Metallic%20minerals%2C%20as%20the,2.
JavaTpoint. (n.d.). Difference between Metallic and Non-metallic Minerals.
https://www.javatpoint.com/metallic-minerals-vs-non-metallic-
minerals#:~:text=As%20the%20name%20suggests%2C%20metallic,gold%2C%20bauxite%
2C%20manganese%20etc.
National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Renewable resources.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/renewable-
resources/#:~:text=Renewable%20resources%20include%20biomass%20energy,material%
20from%20plants%20or%20animals.
OECD. (2001a). Glossary of Statistical Terms: Renewable natural resources. Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development.
https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=2290
OECD. (2001b). Glossary of Statistical Terms: Nonrenewable natural resources. Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development.
https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=1829.
OECD. (2005). Glossary of Statistical Terms: Natural resources. Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development. https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=1740.
Nunez, C. (2019). What are fossil fuels?
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/energy/reference/fossil-fuels/
Sawe, B. E. (2018). What are natural resources? https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-
natural-resources.html.
WSP. (n.d.). Burgos Wind Farm, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. https://www.wsp.com/en-
CN/projects/philippines-burgos-wind-farm.

ANSWER KEY

(NOTE: Model answers in Module 4 shall be provided after you have completed and submitted all the
requirements under this module. It will be sent through your individual email.)

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