We pollute the water and the land when we remove the fuels from the earth. We also pollute the air with carbon dioxide and other toxins when we burn these fuels. We can use nuclear reactions to create electricity, but we do have to dispose of radioactive waste, which is so powerful it can be deadly. We can draw energy from the sun, as solar power. But, to make that kind of energy you need a lot of sunny days, and that's not always going to happen.
Energy can come from windmills, which capture the power in wind.
It can come from hydroelectric dams, which use the force of water to make power. But dams can stop fish from moving up rivers. Solar, wind and hydro power are renewable sources, because they can be used over and over again. The National Wildlife Federation's Animal Tracks Activity Guide for Educators. Copyright National Wildlife Federation 1995.