In the United Kingdom, non-renewable energy sources are those that are finite and cannot be replenished once they have been used up. These sources of energy are typically derived from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Non-renewable energy sources have been the primary source of energy in the UK for many years, but their use has come under scrutiny due to concerns about their impact on the environment and their finite nature.
Non-renewable energy sources are formed over millions of years through the decomposition of organic matter. Coal, for example, is formed from the remains of plants that died millions of years ago and were buried under sediment. Over time, the pressure and heat cause the organic matter to turn into coal. Similarly, oil and natural gas are formed from ancient marine organisms that died and were buried under sediment.
The use of non-renewable energy sources has allowed the UK to become an industrialized nation, powering factories, homes, and transportation. However, the use of these sources has come at a cost. They are finite, meaning that once they are used up, they cannot be replaced. This has led to concerns about the future availability of these resources.
Additionally, the extraction and use of non-renewable energy sources have negative impacts on the environment. The process of extracting these resources can lead to mining accidents, oil spills, and other environmental disasters. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and global warming.
Despite these concerns, non-renewable energy sources continue to be a significant source of energy in the UK. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for 78% of the UK’s primary energy consumption, with oil and gas being the most significant sources. Coal consumption has decreased significantly in recent years, with renewable energy sources becoming increasingly popular.
The UK government has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy sources. The Climate Change Act of 2008 set a target for the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The government has also set a target to generate 30% of the UK’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. In 2019, renewable energy sources accounted for 37% of the UK’s electricity generation, up from 6% in 2009. The UK has also invested in nuclear power, which is a low-carbon energy source but is still a non-renewable energy source.
In conclusion, non-renewable energy sources are those that are finite and cannot be replenished once they have been used up. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are the primary non-renewable energy sources in the UK. While these sources have allowed the UK to become an industrialized nation, their use has come at a cost to the environment and their finite nature raises concerns about their future availability. The UK government has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy sources, with wind, solar, and hydro power becoming increasingly popular.
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