It’s high time to rev up renewable energy sources

Wind and solar are the renewable sources of energy, which emit very tiny or no greenhouse gases. They are readily available and much cheaper than coal, oil and gas. Indeed, the fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas are the worst contributors to global climate change. Theay account for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all global carbon dioxide emissions.

A large chunk of the greenhouse gases that blanket the Earth and trap the sun’s heat are generated through energy production, by burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat.

Henceforth, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, emissions need to be reduced by almost half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.

To achieve this, we need to end our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative sources of energy that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable.

Renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources are available in abundance all around the world. They are abundantly available by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth. The renewable sources of energy are restocked by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air.

Fossil fuels still account for a great chunk of global energy production, but of late, cleaner sources of energy are gaining ground. Currently, about 29 percent of electricity currently comes from renewable sources.

There are some vital reasons to accelerate energy transition with sustainable changes like renewable sources for to a healthy, livable planet today and for generations to come.

Renewable energy sources are available abundantly

It is a fact that more than 80% of the global population lives in countries that are net-importers of fossil fuels. So, about 6 billion people who are dependent on fossil fuels from other countries, which makes them vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and crises.

Renewable energy sources on the other hand are available in almost all the countries. The potential of renewable sources of energy is yet to be fully extracted for carbon neutrality.

As per the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates about 90 percent of the world’s electricity can and should come from renewable energy by 2050.

Renewables offer environmental sustainability and a way out of import dependency, allowing countries to diversify their economies and protect them from the unpredictable price swings of fossil fuels, while driving inclusive economic growth, new jobs, and poverty alleviation.

Renewable energy less costly than fossil fuels

Renewable energy actually is the cheapest power option, as prices for renewable energy technologies are dropping rapidly. The cost of electricity from solar power fell by 85 percent between 2010 and 2020. Costs of onshore and offshore wind energy fell by 56 percent and 48 percent respectively.

Falling prices make renewable energy more attractive all around – including to low- and middle-income countries, where most of the additional demand for new electricity will come from. With falling costs, there is a real opportunity for much of the new power supply over the coming years to be provided by low-carbon sources.

According to analysts, cheap electricity from renewable sources could provide 65 percent of the world’s total electricity supply by 2030. It could decarbonize 90 percent of the power sector by 2050, massively cutting carbon emissions and helping to mitigate climate change.

Although solar and wind power costs are expected to remain higher in 2022 and 2023 then pre-pandemic levels due to general elevated commodity and freight prices, their competitiveness actually improves due to much sharper increases in gas and coal prices, says the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Renewable energy is good for health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 99 percent of people in the world breathe air that exceeds air quality limits and threatens their health, and more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes, including air pollution.

The unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide originate mainly from the burning of fossil fuels. In 2018, air pollution from fossil fuels caused $2.9 trillion in health and economic costs, about $8 billion a day.

Switching to clean sources of energy, such as wind and solar, thus helps address not only climate change but also air pollution and health.

Creates more jobs

The IEA estimates that the transition towards net-zero emissions will lead to an overall increase in energy sector jobs: while about 5 million jobs in fossil fuel production could be lost by 2030, an estimated 14 million new jobs would be created in clean energy, resulting in a net gain of 9 million jobs.

Energy-related industries would require a further 16 million workers, for instance to take on new roles in manufacturing of electric vehicles and hyper-efficient appliances or in innovative technologies such as hydrogen. This means that a total of more than 30 million jobs could be created in clean energy, efficiency, and low-emissions technologies by 2030.

Moreover, efficient, reliable renewable technologies can create a system less prone to market shocks and improve resilience and energy security by diversifying power supply options. Therefore, it’s time to stop burning our planet, and start investing in the abundant renewable energy all around us for Sustainability Development Goals.

Tags: Carbon Neutrality, Decarbonisation, global carbon dioxide emissions, Global Energy, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Sustainability Development Goals, sustainable changes