Green energy. Renewable energy. These terms are thrown around in today's society but do we really know the weight that it holds? These terms are more than just words. It is a solution to one of the world's largest but most ignored problems. It is the key to protecting and preservation of the Earth for future generations to come. If it seems to fix the problem of global warming why is it ignored as a solution? Why do global leaders refuse to turn to renewable energy? The question of why is always hard to answer but in this case, it is easier than ever.
Renewable energy is energy that can be pulled from natural resources. It can also replenish itself at a rate equal to or faster than it is being used. There are a wide variety of different renewable energy sources. Each one comes with its own pros and cons. Some require large investments of money to build the infrastructure needed such as geothermal energy. While others rely on the weather such as wind and solar energy. Most of the time the pros will outweigh the cons. Renewable energy is more beneficial in the long run with many benefits for the environment and economics. Even with this information, many politicians refuse to eliminate non-renewable energy use in their countries. With the continued use of non-renewable energy, the state of the climate will continue to decline and the Warth will soon become inhabitable. This is a fate that we have control of and a simple solution is only using renewable energy as a source of all energy in the world.
There are about six main types of renewable energy used in Canada. Hydro energy is the use of the kinetic energy found in moving water. It uses turbines that the water forces to spin creating the energy to then be used in different forms. Bioenergy is using biomass to develop a source of energy. Most often the biomass contains stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. Wind power is more well known. It converts the kinetic energy in wind to electricity using tall wind turbines. Solar energy uses the power of the sun, it uses the energy in UV rays and panels placed out in the open to gather and convert the rays into energy. Geothermal takes hold of the heat in the Earth's ground and uses it as a heating source in several different buildings. Ocean energy is less studied but it uses the energy from the ocean's tides and waves to convert to useful energy. Overall, about 18.9% of all of Canada's energy is renewable energy. This number is not where it needs to be if we have any hope of reversing global warming and climate change.
It is glaringly obvious that renewable energy is a much better option than non-renewable but it is important to know the harmful effects of non-renewable energy. It is well known
That non-renewable energy is a large contributor to the enhanced greenhouse effect. This causes more greenhouse gases to be produced and released into the atmosphere, heating the earth at a rate faster than it naturally would. Non-renewable energy causes large amounts of air pollution. Pollutants in the air can cause negative health effects for humans and other living organisms. Air contaminants can lower biodiversity in the environment in plant and animal species. It can also cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems in humans which can lead to premature deaths. As it provides most of the Earth's energy non-renewable energy may look good right now but it only goes downhill from here.
Putting renewable energy to use around to globe is guaranteed to help reverse global warming and climate change. Non-renewable energy is the main source of air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution. If it is no longer used, the Earth’s environment will be in much better shape, and it will be safer for future generations to thrive. But if we keep going down the path we have already paved, then we are in for a disaster.
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Resources
Canada, N. R. (2017, December 13). Government of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved February 14, 2022, from https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/renewable-energy/about-renewable-energy/7295
Greentumble. (2020, December 5). Effects of non-renewable resources on the environment. Greentumble. Retrieved February 14, 2022, from https://greentumble.com/harmful-effects-of-non-renewable-resources-on-the-environment/#:~:text=Air%20pollution,people%27s%20health%20and%20the%20environment.&text=When%20mercury%20is%20emitted%20into,the%20ground%20or%20in%20water