Non-Renewable Energy
Much of our energy supply comes from coal, oil, natural gas, or radioactive elements. They are considered non-renewable because once they are removed from the ground and used, they are not immediately replaced. Humans will have used up most of these deposits in less than 200 years. Once they are gone, non-renewable energy supplies cannot be replaced within human time scales. |
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy on the other hand quickly replaces itself and is usually available in a never-ending supply. Renewable energy comes from the natural flow of sunlight, wind, or water around the Earth. With the help of special collectors, we can capture some of this energy and put it to use in our homes and businesses. As long as sunlight, water and wind continue to flow and trees and other plants continue to grow, we have access to a ready of supply of energy.
|
Why is renewable energy important today?
Energy Price Stability
In the last few years, there have been large fluctuations in the cost of natural gas, oil, and electricity due to global economics, market deregulation, and political events in some parts of the world. Renewable energy is not subject to sharp price changes because it comes from sources such as sunshine, flowing water, wind, and biological waste, all of which are free. This gives people greater certainty about the cost of energy, which is good for society and the economy.
Clean Air
Air pollution is a major problem around the world. The biggest cause of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, including fuels used for transportation. The great advantage of using renewable energy in place of fossil fuels is that renewable energy adds very few pollutants to the environment. Renewable energy is considered "clean" and "green." |