What is Renewable Energy? Renewable energy uses energy sources that are continually replenished by nature—the sun, the wind, water, the Earth’s heat, and plants. Renewable energy technologies turn these fuels into usable forms of energy—most often electricity, but also heat, chemicals, or mechanical power.
Why Use Renewable Energy?
Today we primarily use fossil fuels to heat and power our homes and fuel our cars. It’s convenient to use coal, oil, and natural gas for meeting our energy needs, but we have a limited supply of these fuels on the Earth. We’re using them much more rapidly than they are being created. Eventually, they will run out. And because of safety concerns and waste disposal problems, the United States will retire much of its nuclear capacity by 2020. In the meantime, the nation’s energy needs are expected to grow by 33 percent during the next 20 years. Renewable energy can help fill the gap.
Even if we had an unlimited supply of fossil fuels, using renewable energy is better for the environment. We often call renewable energy technologies “clean” or “green” because they produce few if any pollutants. Burning fossil fuels, however, sends greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping the sun’s heat and contributing to global warming. Climate scientists generally agree that the Earth’s average temperature has risen in the past century. If this trend continues, sea levels will rise, and scientists predict that floods, heat waves, droughts, and other extreme weather conditions could occur more often. Other pollutants are released into the air, soil, and water when fossil fuels are burned. These pollutants take a dramatic toll on the environment—and on humans. Air pollution contributes to diseases like asthma. Acid rain from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides harms plants and fish. Nitrogen oxides also contribute to smog.
Renewable energy will also help us develop energy independence and security. The United States imports more than 50 percent of its oil, up from 34 percent in 1973. Replacing some of our petroleum with fuels made from plant matter, for example, could save money and strengthen our energy security. Renewable energy is plentiful, and the technologies are improving all the time. There are many ways to use renewable energy. Most of us already use renewable energy in our daily lives.
Common forms of green energy include:
- Solar Power: Captured from the sun’s rays using photovoltaic cells.
- Wind Power: Derived from wind turbines converting wind currents into electricity.
- Hydropower: Generated from the movement of water, typically from dams.
- Geothermal Energy: Sourced from the Earth’s internal heat.
- Biomass: Produced from organic materials such as plants and animals.
Why is Green Energy Important?
- Environmental Benefits: Green energy technologies produce little to no global warming emissions when generating electricity. This starkly contrasts the substantial pollution emitted from fossil fuels, which contributes heavily to global climate change.
- Health Advantages: The air and water pollution emitted by coal and natural gas plants are linked to respiratory problems, neurological damage, heart attacks, and cancer. Replacing fossil fuels with green energy has been shown to reduce premature mortality and lost workdays, and it reduces overall healthcare costs.
- Economic Boost: The renewable energy industry also drives economic growth. The U.S. wind and solar sectors, for example, employ far more people than coal or gas. Additionally, renewable energy installations can be built quickly, and the money spent on these projects often stays within local communities.
- Energy Independence: By increasing the supply of renewable energy, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and natural gas. This helps stabilize energy prices in the market and reduces susceptibility to supply disruptions.
- Technological Advancement: As research continues and technology progresses, the efficiency of renewable energy technologies will only increase, making them even more viable as comprehensive energy solutions.
- Sustainable Future: Green energy provides a sustainable way to meet our energy needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. With an ever-growing global population and increasing energy demands, it’s essential to transition to more sustainable energy sources.