The World Uses a Variety of Different Energy Sources
The world is awash with a variety of energy sources. Fossil fuels, including oil, natural gas and coal accounted for more than 80 percent of the energy consumed in 2018. Renewable sources such as solar energy, wind power biomass, hydroelectricity and biomass make up 14 percent. Nuclear energy accounts for another 5percent. Different countries have different combinations of energy sources, balancing environmental and economic requirements.
Energy is present in nature in a number of forms, including sunlight, wind, waves, ocean and more. These sources of energy are transformed into more convenient forms of energy, like electricity or heat, once they are harnessed. These sources of energy become non-renewable sources of energy when they are exhausted.
The environment is damaged due to a wide range of fossil fuels and also other non-renewable sources of energy. For example mining for oil could destroy the forests of the planet. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) can lead to water pollution and earthquakes. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burned and contributes to global warming.
Fortunately there are many promising energy sources are renewable and sustainable. Wind, solar and hydropower can create, for instance, electricity without having to dig up new sources.
Other renewable energy sources are emerging, like waves and tidal power. However, in order to be utilized in a large-scale manner these technologies require efficient distribution networks. This requires the use of non-renewable energy sources to build these networks. These sources aren’t enough to meet the majority of our energy needs. It is important to keep in mind that the prices of renewable energy equipment has fallen dramatically in recent years and that efficiency is increasing.