Introduction

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources that replenish themselves in less than a human lifetime without depleting the planet’s resources. These resources – such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, biomass and thermal energy stored in the earth’s crust – have the benefit of being available in one form or another nearly everywhere. They are virtually inexhaustible. And, what is even more important, they cause little climate or environmental damage.

Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas on the contrary are available in finite quantities only. As we keep extracting them, they will run out sooner or later. Although they are produced in natural processes, they do not replenish as quickly as we humans use them.

In today’s world, fossil fuels are being highly patronized and even continues subsidising them. Meanwhile, the pollution they cause – from climate-damaging greenhouse gases to health-endangering particles – has reached record levels. And when something goes wrong, for example when the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded in 2010, the consequences are dramatic.

Since 2011, renewable energy is growing faster than all other energy forms. Renewable energy had another record-breaking year in 2020, as installed power capacity grew more than 256 gigawatts (GW) – its largest increase ever. More than 29% of our electricity now comes from renewable energy – and this keeps growing.

BENEFITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

Like any human activity, all energy sources have an impact on our environment. Renewable energy is no exception to the rule, and each source has its own trade-offs. However, the advantages over the devastating impacts of fossil fuels are undeniable: from the reduction of water and land use, less air and water pollution, less wildlife and habitat loss, to no or lower greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, their local and decentralised character as well as technology development generate important benefits for the economy and people.

Below are some of the benefits of renewable energy:

·        Renewable energy emits no or low greenhouse gases: That’s good for the climate. The combustion of fossil fuels for energy results in a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Most sources of renewable energy result in little to no emissions, even when considering the full life cycle of the technologies.

·        Renewable energy emits no or low air pollutants. That’s better for our health: Worldwide increases in fossil fuel-based road transport, industrial activity, and power generation (as well as the open burning of waste in many cities) contributes to elevated levels of air pollution. In many developing countries, the use of charcoal and fuelwood for heating and cooking also contributes to poor indoor air quality. Particles and other air pollutants from fossil fuels literally asphyxiate cities. According to studies by the World Health Organization, their presence above urban skies is responsible for millions of premature deaths and costs billions.

·        Renewable energy comes with low costs: That’s good for keeping energy prices at affordable levels. Geopolitical strife and upheavals often come with increasing energy prices and limited access to resources. Since renewable energy is produced locally, it is less affected by geopolitical crisis or price spikes or sudden disruptions in the supply chain

·        Renewable energy creates jobs. That’s good for the local community: The largest part of renewable energy investments is spent on materials and workmanship to build and maintain the facilities, rather than on costly energy imports. Renewable energy investments are usually spent within the continent, frequently in the same country, and often in the same town. This means the money citizens pay on their energy bill stays home to create jobs and fuel the local economy.

·        Renewable energy makes the energy system resilient. That’s important to prevent power shortages: Renewables make urban energy infrastructures more independent from remote sources and grids. Businesses and industry invest in renewable energy to avoid disruptions, including resilience to weather-related impacts of climate change.

Summary

Due to the emission of toxic carbon monoxide that destroys our environment, countries and organizations should incorporate and invest heavily into the renewable energy sector. This will ensure energy becomes efficient and effective and also serve our planet from extinction.