Renewable energy is energy produced from natural resources that regenerate themselves without depleting the planet’s resources in less than a human lifetime. These resources, which include biomass, tides, waves, sunshine, wind, rain, and thermal energy stored in the earth’s crust, have the advantage of being accessible in some capacity almost everywhere. They are practically endless. Even more crucially, they don’t harm the climate or the ecosystem much.
1. Renewable energy comes in a variety of forms
Although replacing fossil fuels won’t be simple, the abundance of renewable energy sources is helpful. The most well-known sources of energy are probably solar and wind, but there are also biomass, geothermal, hydro, and tidal sources as well as energy produced by moving water and the rise and fall of ocean tides and currents (energy from plants and animals). Because multiple renewable sources work more reliably and efficiently than one, diversification is crucial.
2. The impact of renewable energy on biodiversity
Another crucial point to keep in mind is how biodiversity is impacted by renewable energy. Materials that must be mined are used to build the infrastructure for renewable energy. That has an impact on habitats, which has an impact on biodiversity. Fortunately, there are fixes. The quantity of resources required is decreased by increasing the efficiency of renewable energy. Additionally, lawmakers need to ensure that mining is prohibited in sensitive areas. The necessary materials may be obtained without doing much damage to the environment.
3. For education, renewable energy is important.
One cannot ignore the effect of renewable energy on education. Low-income areas with unstable access to traditional energy sources are particularly affected. With more energy, instructors and students may more quickly access the internet, giving them access to a vast array of support and information. Consistent heating, cooling, and hot water also enhance the learning environment.
4. Climate change and renewable energy are connected.
We mentioned that switching to renewable energy was primarily motivated by concerns about climate change, but there is another manner in which the two are interconnected: renewable energy depends on climatic phenomena. Thus, if climate change intensifies, it will have a greater impact on our ability to use renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy. The issue is shown by a study published in Nature Climate Change. Carbon emissions could hurt non-bioenergy renewables if they rise until 2080. Hydropower and wind energy would rise in some regions while falling in others. The study’s findings that hazards were “moderate” are excellent news. Keeping up with how climate change affects renewable energy is still crucial.
5. Over time, renewables cost less
Prices for renewable energy have dramatically decreased as a result of new and improved technology. There is always the cost of building infrastructure, but it’s not like fossil fuels are significantly less expensive over the long term. They actually end up costing much more. According to independent technological think tank RethinkX’s research, analysis firms vastly overestimate the value of hydropower and fossil fuel-powered electric power facilities. According to the analysis, solar and wind energy became more affordable than nuclear, gas, coal, and hydropower years earlier than previously believed.
6. Public health can be improved by renewable energy
Fossil fuel processing and burning are major sources of air pollution. Over 4 million people die each year from diseases linked to pollution, according to the WHO. The WHO considers the air quality in places where almost 91% of people live to be unsafe. Using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels will save countless lives because it doesn’t contaminate the air.
7. Poverty can be decreased with renewable energy
Energy and poverty are closely linked. Lower-income households both in rural and urban settings face high energy bills. Why? A big reason is energy inefficiency. The systems and appliances are old in lower-income communities, which leads to a lot of wasted energy. As we learned in the point above, renewables end up saving money. They also allow communities to use sources around them and obtain energy independence. After storms and other natural disasters, they’ll be able to get power back on more quickly. The issue is the cost of the initial installation, which is why governments, NGOs, and other poverty-fighting groups need to invest in renewable energy for poor communities.
8. Women's rights could benefit from renewable energy
According to research, having access to green energy encourages girls to finish their education so they can find better-paying professions and lead safer, healthier lives. Increased employment opportunities for women, which the renewable energy sector provides, also contribute to greater gender equality. Women work 32% of the jobs in renewable energy, compared to 22% of the positions in the total energy sector. This still isn’t a very good percentage, but with more inclusive practises and dedication to gender equity, that may change.
9. Global conflicts could be lessened by renewable energy
Energy is at the heart of many international conflicts. Nations may propose a variety of explanations, but energy is frequently a key aspect, if not the real driver, of participation. Think about the Middle East. Because so much of the world’s oil is found there, it has long been a source of tensions involving multiple nations. This does not imply that switching to renewable energy would bring about world peace right away. Many are concerned that disputes will simply shift to the resources required to create green infrastructure, yet this would offer a rare chance for a more peaceful future.
10. Renewable energy creates jobs
The economic benefits of green energy have long been recognised by nations. A major factor in this is job generation. Building the infrastructure and creating more advanced technology both require a large workforce. Data from 2019 indicates that there were approximately 11 million direct and indirect jobs worldwide in the renewable energy sector in 2018. From 10.3 million in 2017, this is an increase.