Sources of renewable power
There are many sources of renewable energy available, including water, wind and biomass. All these sources are unlimited and free. Renewable energy is essential in fighting climate change. Fossil fuels are a major contributor of greenhouse gases that are causing the current global warming.
Biomass is an alternative form of renewable energy. This involves converting organic materials (wood, grasses) into electricity. This process is far more efficient than burning fossil energy and is therefore cleaner. Furthermore, biomass is more affordable than fossil fuels and produces more power. Because it doesn't emit carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, biomass is a common source for renewable energy. This contributes to climate change and global warming.
Renewable energy sources' environmental impacts
The use of renewable energy sources has several environmental benefits for people and the planet. The huge carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-dominated electricity generation are a result of large amounts of fossil fuel-derived electricity. The United States' electricity generation account for 40% of its energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. In China, electricity generation contributed to just over two billion tons of CO2 emissions in 2007. In addition to CO2, fossil-fuel combustion also produces other air pollutants such as NOx and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants are extremely toxic and contribute to air pollution. They also cause water resource problems.
Renewable energy sources not only reduce pollution and emissions but also create jobs and decrease poverty. Renewable energy will provide half of the world's energy by 2050. This is a massive number that represents more 140 times the world's energy consumption. Germany's successful renewable energy industry has seen employment rises of up 55% since 2004.
Public opinion on renewable energy sources
New research shows that Americans are generally more supportive of renewable energy sources than they are fossil fuels. However, opinions vary by party. Democrats tend to favor regulation of renewable energy development. Republicans, however, prefer free markets to drive this transition. Public opinion on renewable energy sources varies by party. However, it is clear that most people support the use of renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuels.
The study showed that 72 percent of national respondents thought renewable energy sources were favorable and 78% considered them undesirable. This was significantly more than the number of people who don't know anything about renewable energy sources.