How Will Renewable Energy Help The World?
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that are continuously replenished, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat (https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-renewable-energy). Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite resources, renewable energy is sustainable and practically inexhaustible. Transitioning to renewable energy is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change, improving public health, creating jobs, providing electricity access, stimulating local economies, saving money, and improving energy security. This article will examine the many benefits of renewable energy and how it can create a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous world.
Reducing Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are finite resources that cannot be replenished. Over-reliance on fossil fuels is problematic because global reserves are being rapidly depleted. The world has already consumed the most accessible and high quality reserves, leaving progressively harder to extract and more expensive fossil fuel resources.
In contrast, renewable energy sources like wind, solar, hydropower and geothermal can be continually replenished. These energy sources provide a sustainable alternative to finite fossil fuels. According to the UN, renewable energy could realistically supply up to 80% of global energy demand by 2050. Widespread adoption of renewables would allow countries to diversify their energy mix and reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels.
Transitioning to renewable energy is critical for establishing energy security in the long-term. As fossil fuel reserves continue to dwindle, renewable energy will provide an alternative source to meet society’s energy needs.
Mitigating Climate Change
Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are responsible for large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that contribute to climate change. According to the UN, the burning of fossil fuels accounts for nearly 75% of all greenhouse gas emissions (UN, n.d.). In contrast, most renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions. Converting to renewable energy and away from fossil fuels is critical for mitigating climate change and reducing CO2 emissions globally.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends that CO2 emissions need to be cut by 80% by 2050 in order to limit global warming. Renewable energy can play a major role in achieving these reductions. For example, the U.S. could reduce CO2 emissions by 80% from 1990 levels within 15 years just by using renewable electricity in the power, transportation, building, and industrial sectors (MIT, n.d.). Transitioning to renewable energy is one of the most effective strategies for mitigating climate change.
Improving Public Health
Renewable energy helps improve public health by reducing harmful air pollution from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. According to research by Harvard University’s Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE), replacing fossil fuels with clean renewable energy could prevent over 115,000 premature deaths in the United States every year1. Burning fossil fuels releases pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, which have been linked to asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses. In contrast, renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, and hydropower produce little to no air emissions. Widespread adoption of renewables and energy efficiency measures could reduce the health impacts of air pollution while also lowering health care costs and improving quality of life.
Creating Jobs
The renewable energy sector employs millions of people worldwide. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the clean energy industry already provides over 3 million jobs in the United States alone. Major companies like GE Renewable Energy and others are hiring extensively to support the growth in renewable power generation, with over 21,000 renewable energy job listings on sites like Indeed. Renewable energy jobs cut across many fields, including manufacturing, construction, installation, operations, maintenance and more. These are often higher paying and faster growing opportunities than comparable roles in fossil fuel energy. The renewable energy transition promises continued job growth, spurring economic vitality in communities worldwide.
Providing Access to Electricity
Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower can help provide electricity to the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who currently lack access. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 770 million people lacked electricity access in 2019, with the majority located in sub-Saharan Africa and developing parts of Asia.
Extending grid connectivity to remote and rural areas can be challenging and expensive. Off-grid and mini-grid renewable energy systems are ideal for providing electricity to these communities. Solar home systems, solar lanterns, and small wind turbines can generate electricity for individual households. Larger village mini-grids can power dozens of homes and businesses using solar panels, wind, micro-hydro, or biomass.
According to the IEA report, off-grid and mini-grid systems provided electricity access to over 180 million people between 2010-2019, playing a major role in global electrification. With falling technology costs, renewable mini-grids are becoming the most cost-effective option for rural electrification in many developing countries.
Stimulating Local Economies
Renewable energy projects can provide a significant economic boost to local communities. According to a report from the Yale School of the Environment, renewable energy development on public lands generated $8 billion in economic activity and supported over 57,000 jobs in 2019 alone (source). The construction and operation of renewable energy facilities creates short-term and long-term jobs in manufacturing, construction, operations, maintenance, and supporting services.
In particular, locally owned renewable energy projects keep more of the economic benefits within the community. Local ownership results in increased local spending, greater local tax revenues, and better energy cost savings compared to absentee-owned projects (source). Communities can invest directly in local renewable projects through mechanisms like green bonds or community solar programs.
Overall, renewable energy development invests in local economies through land lease payments, property taxes, and community benefit funds. By harnessing abundant local energy resources, communities can create new revenue streams, jobs, and economic opportunities.
Saving Money
Switching to renewable energy sources like wind and solar can help consumers and communities save money on electricity costs in the long run. According to the UN, renewables are now the cheapest form of new power generation. The costs of wind and solar power have dropped dramatically in the past decade, becoming more affordable and cost-competitive with fossil fuels.
A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency found that the global power sector saved $520 billion in fuel costs in 2021 thanks to renewables displacing fossil fuels. As renewable energy scales up to meet more of the world’s power demand, these cost savings are expected to multiply. The American Progress organization estimates that transitioning to clean electricity and electrification could save the average U.S. household $500 per year in reduced energy costs.
With renewable energy costs continuing to fall, and fossil fuel prices susceptible to volatility, renewables offer a stable and affordable energy source for families, businesses and utilities over the long-term. Widespread adoption of renewables will insulate consumers from fossil fuel price shocks, and provide savings that can be reinvested in local economies.
Improving Energy Security
Adding renewable energy sources to the energy portfolio greatly enhances energy security and resilience by reducing dependence on any single fuel type (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/74617.pdf). The intermittency of renewable sources like wind and solar is balanced by grid integration across large geographic areas as well as storage solutions like batteries and pumped hydro. This diversification protects against supply disruptions and geopolitical risks associated with fossil fuels (https://www.energy.gov/eere/energy-independence-and-security). With smart grid technology, renewables increase the flexibility and reliability of electricity supply. Energy security means having an affordable, uninterrupted energy supply (https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-security). By using local and inexhaustible renewable resources, countries can achieve greater energy self-sufficiency and insulation from global energy market volatility.
Conclusion
In summary, renewable energy technologies provide many critical benefits for the world. By transitioning away from fossil fuels, renewable energy can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change [1]. This improves public health by reducing air pollution and related illnesses [1,2]. Renewables also create new jobs and stimulate local economies by decentralizing energy production [2]. By expanding energy access, renewable energy can improve quality of life for millions. Finally, renewable energy enhances energy security by relying on domestic resources rather than imported fuels [1]. While renewable energy development faces some challenges, it is clear that it will play a central role in building a sustainable energy future.
[1] https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-industry-outlook.html
[2] https://www.iea.org/news/the-energy-world-is-set-to-change-significantly-by-2030-based-on-today-s-policy-settings-alone
