Nick: Happy belated birthday, Jim! Did you have a good birthday yesterday?
Jim: It was great. I spent the day with my family. My mom made a fantastic meal, and my brother gave me this cool solar phone charger. I’ve wanted one for months!
Nick: And that really uses solar power to charge your cellphone?
Jim: Yes! It’s amazing. I’ve been looking for ways to use less energy from dirty sources, and this is perfect. The sun is a renewable energy source, and it’s free!
Nick: You do love free stuff! But, seriously, if solar energy is so great, why aren’t more people using it?
Jim: I don’t know! Solar energy is great for us and for the environment. I love it!
Now let’s review the vocabulary
Belated means something happening or coming late. For example, yesterday was your birthday. I forgot. Today I remembered. I say, “Happy belated birthday.”
Solar power or solar energy is energy that comes from the sun.
Renewable energy is energy that comes from things that will not run out. It is energy that is naturally replenished. “Replenish” means to replace what has been used.
The environment is the natural world in which people, animals and plants live.