The world relies on 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 energy sources such as solar energy, wind power biomass, hydroelectricity, and wind power make up 14 percent. Nuclear energy is another 5 percent. Different countries have different sources of energy to meet the needs of their economy and environmental concerns.
Nature’s energy can be found in a variety of forms including sun, wind waves and ocean. When harnessed and transformed into more efficient forms of energy, like heat or electricity, these are known as primary sources. These sources are non-renewable resources of energy once they have been exhausted.
Many fossil fuels and some of other energy sources that are not renewable have been causing environmental harm. Oil mining, for example can cause the destruction of our forests that are virgin to the earth. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can cause earthquakes and water pollution. The burning of coal releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Fortunately, a lot of the most promising sources of energy are sustainable and renewable. Hydropower, solar energy and wind power for instance, could produce electricity without having to dig for new supplies.
Tidal and Wave Power are two more renewable energy sources that are emerging. However, to be used on a massive scale these technologies require efficient distribution networks. This requires the use of non-renewable energy sources to build these networks. Therefore, these sources aren’t able to provide the bulk of our energy needs. It is important to keep in mind that the cost of renewable energy equipment has dropped dramatically in recent years and efficiency is growing.
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