The world relies on a variety of energy sources. In 2018 fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal, made up over 81 percent of the energy consumed. Renewables such as solar energy, wind power biomass, hydroelectricity, and wind power make up 14 percent. Nuclear energy is another 5 percent. Different countries employ different sources of energy to meet economic needs and environmental concerns.
Nature’s energy is available in a variety of forms: sun, wind, waves and ocean. These sources of energy can be transformed into more practical forms of energy, like electricity or heat, when they are harnessed. Once these energies are used up, they become nonrenewable energy sources.
Many fossil fuels as well as some of the other nonrenewable energy sources are damaging the environment. Mining oil, for instance can cause the destruction of our planet’s virgin forests. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) could cause earthquakes and water pollution. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burnt, which contributes to global warming.
Fortunately there are many promising energy sources are sustainable and renewable. Solar, wind and hydropower could generate, for instance electricity without having to dig for new sources.
Tidal and Wave Power are also renewable energy sources that are emerging. To be utilized on large scale, these sources of energy need to have effective distribution networks. This requires the use of non-renewable energy sources to build these networks. This means that these sources aren’t capable of meeting the majority of our energy needs. It’s still important to remember that the prices of renewable energy equipment have fallen dramatically in recent years and the efficiency is rising.