The world relies on a variety of energy sources. In 2018 fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal, comprised more than 81 percent of energy consumed. Renewables, such as solar power, wind, hydroelectricity and biomass, make up for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is responsible for another 5percent. Different countries have different sources of energy to meet environmental and economic requirements.
Nature’s energy comes in many forms including sun, wind waves and ocean. When harnessed and transformed into more practical forms of energy, such as electricity or heat, these are referred to as primary sources. When the energy source is exhausted, they turn into non-renewable energy sources.
Many fossil fuels and some of the other nonrenewable energy sources are damaging the environment. For instance mining for oil can destroy the forests of the planet. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) can result in earthquakes and water pollution. The combustion of coal releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Fortunately, a lot of the most promising sources of energy are sustainable and renewable. Hydropower, wind and solar for instance, could produce electricity without having to search for new sources.
Other sustainable energy sources are emerging, like wave power and tidal energy. To be used at a large-scale, these technologies require efficient distribution networks. They need to be constructed which will require the use of non-renewable energy. As a result, these sources aren’t sufficient to meet the majority of our energy needs. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that prices for renewable energy equipment have come down dramatically over the past few years, and their efficiency is rising rapidly.
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