The world is dependent on a range of different sources of energy. Fossil fuels–including oil, natural gas and coal accounted for more than 81 % of the energy consumed in the year 2018. Renewables, like solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, and biomass, account for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is responsible for another 5%. Different countries have different mixes of energy sources, and are able to balance economic needs with environmental concerns.
Nature provides energy in many forms such as wind, sun, waves and ocean. These primary sources are transformed into more convenient energy forms, such as electricity or heat when they are harnessed. When those energies are exhausted, they become non-renewable energy sources.
The environment is harmed by many fossil fuels, and also other energy sources that aren’t renewable. Oil mining, for instance can devastate the forests that are virgin to the earth. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can trigger earthquakes as well as water pollution. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burnt, which contributes to global warming.
Fortunately some of the most promising energy sources are renewable and sustainable. Hydropower, solar energy and wind power for instance, can produce electricity without having to search areas of specialization in the civil infrastructure for new resources.
Other sources of sustainable energy are emerging, including tidal and wave power. However, in order to be utilized on a large scale they must have efficient distribution networks. These must be built using a source of non-renewable energy sources. These sources aren’t sufficient to meet the majority of our energy demands. It is important to keep in mind that the costs for renewable energy equipment have decreased drastically over the last few years, and efficiency is increasing rapidly.
