Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Energy Resources: Environmental and Economic Advantages and DisadvantagesImagine a life without washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, computers, televisions, lights, and cars. Imagine a planet so polluted that the smog is so intense in the air that you can't see very far, the lakes and streams are poisoned, and the land is so badly scarred by people trying to find more sources of energy. One day this could become a reality if we do nothing to change the way we use our energy resources. This could be the case if society continues to use non-renewable energy resources at the current rate of consumption. Our saving grace could be the development and use of renewable energy resources. Renewable sources will not only help our planet stay clean due to little to no pollution, but can also help the economy. This paper will compare renewable energy resources and non-renewable energy resources and attempt to show that not only renewable energy resources are better. for the environment, but also show that they are better for the economy.Non-renewable energy resourcesPollutionOne of the problems with non-renewable energy resources is that to convert them into usable energy, they must be chemically modified to extract the potential energy they contain. Non-renewable energy resources include wood, oil, gas and coal. To extract the potential energy contained in these resources, it is necessary to burn them, which releases heat. This heat is converted into energy by using the heat to turn a turbine, which turns the generator, which creates electricity. When using gas in a vehicle, the combustion of the gas-air mixture forces a piston which turns the crankshaft. When these materials burn, heat is generated, a...... middle of paper ......flower, Gillian. (2007). Deep heating. Alive: Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition, 292 (), 102-103. Retrieved February 25, 2008 from EBSCOhost database. Here is the sun. (2005). The OECD Observer, 248(), 44-44. Retrieved February 24, 2008 from EBSCOhost database. Ingersoll, Eric. (2008). Clean and profitable. Power Engineering, 112 (1), 12. Retrieved March 9, 2008 from EBSCOhost database. Khalil, Tarek M. (1981). Comparative analysis of energy resources. International Journal of Production Research, 19 (4), 401. Retrieved February 25, 2008 from EBSCOhost database. Steam and surf in the Far North. (2007). Economist, 385(8550), 34. Retrieved March 9, 2008 from the EBSCOhost database. Wolcott, Barbara. (2004). Interest in alternative energy has ebbed and flowed since the 1970s. Planning, 70 (11), 4-7. Retrieved March 9, 2008 from EBSCOhost database.