renewable energy photo essay

Renewable Energy Explained

Solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal power can provide energy without the planet-warming effects of fossil fuels.

Chemistry, Conservation, Earth Science, Engineering

Braes of Doune Wind Farm

As of 2017, wind turbines, like the Braes of Doune wind farm near Stirling, Scotland, are now producing 539,000 megawatts of power around the world—22 times more than 16 years before. Unfortunately, this renewable, clean energy generator isn't perfect.

Photograph by Jim Richardson

In any discussion about climate change , renewable energy usually tops the list of changes the world can implement to stave off the worst effects of rising temperatures. That's because renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, don't emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Clean energy has far more to recommend it than just being "green." The growing sector creates jobs, makes electric grids more resilient, expands energy access in developing countries, and helps lower energy bills. All of those factors have contributed to a renewable energy renaissance in recent years, with wind and solar setting new records for electricity generation. For the past 150 years or so, humans have relied heavily on coal, oil, and other fossil fuels to power everything from light bulbs to cars to factories. Fossil fuels are embedded in nearly everything we do, and as a result, the greenhouse gases released from the burning of those fuels have reached historically high levels. As greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise escape into space, average temperatures on the surface are rising. Global warming is one symptom of climate change, the term scientists now prefer to describe the complex shifts affecting our planet’s weather and climate systems. Climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas, and a range of other impacts. Of course, renewables—like any source of energy—have their own trade-offs and associated debates. One of them centers on the definition of renewable energy. Strictly speaking, renewable energy is just what you might think: perpetually available, or as the United States Energy Information Administration puts it, "virtually inexhaustible." But "renewable" doesn't necessarily mean sustainable, as opponents of corn-based ethanol or large hydropower dams often argue. It also doesn't encompass other low- or zero-emissions resources that have their own advocates, including energy efficiency and nuclear power. Types of Renewable Energy Sources Hydropower: For centuries, people have harnessed the energy of river currents, using dams to control water flow. Hydropower is the world's biggest source of renewable energy by far, with China, Brazil, Canada, the U.S., and Russia being the leading hydropower producers. While hydropower is theoretically a clean energy source replenished by rain and snow, it also has several drawbacks. Large dams can disrupt river ecosystems and surrounding communities, harming wildlife, and displacing residents. Hydropower generation is vulnerable to silt buildup, which can compromise capacity and harm equipment. Drought can also cause problems. In the western U.S., carbon dioxide emissions over a 15-year period were 100 megatons higher than they would have been with normal precipitation levels, according to a 2018 study, as utilities turned to coal and gas to replace hydropower lost to drought. Even hydropower at full capacity bears its own emissions problems, as decaying organic material in reservoirs releases methane. Dams aren't the only way to use water for power: Tidal and wave energy projects around the world aim to capture the ocean's natural rhythms. Marine energy projects currently generate an estimated 500 megawatts of power—less than one percent of all renewables—but the potential is far greater. Programs like Scotland’s Saltire Prize have encouraged innovation in this area. Wind: Harnessing the wind as a source of energy started more than 7,000 years ago. Now, electricity-generating wind turbines are proliferating around the globe, and China, the U.S., and Germany are the world's leading wind-energy producers. From 2001 to 2017, cumulative wind capacity around the world increased to more than 539,000 megawatts from 23,900 megawatts—more than 22 fold. Some people may object to how wind turbines look on the horizon and to how they sound, but wind energy, whose prices are declining, is proving too valuable a resource to deny. While most wind power comes from onshore turbines, offshore projects are appearing too, with the most in the United Kingdom and Germany. The first U.S. offshore wind farm opened in 2016 in Rhode Island, and other offshore projects are gaining momentum. Another problem with wind turbines is that they’re a danger for birds and bats, killing hundreds of thousands annually, not as many as from glass collisions and other threats like habitat loss and invasive species, but enough that engineers are working on solutions to make them safer for flying wildlife. Solar: From home rooftops to utility-scale farms, solar power is reshaping energy markets around the world. In the decade from 2007 and 2017 the world's total installed energy capacity from photovoltaic panels increased a whopping 4,300 percent. In addition to solar panels, which convert the sun's light to electricity, concentrating solar power (CSP) plants use mirrors to concentrate the sun's heat, deriving thermal energy instead. China, Japan, and the U.S. are leading the solar transformation, but solar still has a long way to go, accounting for around just two percent of the total electricity generated in the U.S. in 2017. Solar thermal energy is also being used worldwide for hot water, heating, and cooling. Biomass: Biomass energy includes biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, wood, wood waste, biogas from landfills, and municipal solid waste. Like solar power, biomass is a flexible energy source, able to fuel vehicles, heat buildings, and produce electricity. But biomass can raise thorny issues. Critics of corn-based ethanol, for example, say it competes with the food market for corn and supports the same harmful agricultural practices that have led to toxic algae blooms and other environmental hazards. Similarly, debates have erupted over whether it's a good idea to ship wood pellets from U.S. forests over to Europe so that it can be burned for electricity. Meanwhile, scientists and companies are working on ways to more efficiently convert corn stover, wastewater sludge, and other biomass sources into energy, aiming to extract value from material that would otherwise go to waste. Geothermal: Used for thousands of years in some countries for cooking and heating, geothermal energy is derived from Earth’s internal heat. On a large scale, underground reservoirs of steam and hot water can be tapped through wells that can go a two kilometers deep or more to generate electricity. On a smaller scale, some buildings have geothermal heat pumps that use temperature differences several meters below ground for heating and cooling. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal energy is always available, but it has side effects that need to be managed, such as the rotten-egg smell that can accompany released hydrogen sulfide. Ways To Boost Renewable Energy Cities, states, and federal governments around the world are instituting policies aimed at increasing renewable energy. At least 29 U.S. states have set renewable portfolio standards—policies that mandate a certain percentage of energy from renewable sources. More than 100 cities worldwide now boast receiving at least 70 percent of their energy from renewable sources, and still others are making commitments to reach 100 percent. Other policies that could encourage renewable energy growth include carbon pricing, fuel economy standards, and building efficiency standards. Corporations are making a difference too, purchasing record amounts of renewable power in 2018. Wonder whether your state could ever be powered by 100 percent renewables? No matter where you live, scientist Mark Jacobson believes it's possible. That vision is laid out here , and while his analysis is not without critics , it punctuates a reality with which the world must now reckon. Even without climate change, fossil fuels are a finite resource, and if we want our lease on the planet to be renewed, our energy will have to be renewable.

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Renewable Energy Essay: Tips to Write a Great Paper

Scientists have categorized climate change as the greatest threat facing humanity today. While there’s irrefutable evidence that our climate is warming up, scientists are divided on its probable causes, with some attributing it to anthropogenic origins and others claiming Earth’s orbital patterns, among myriads of hypotheses. Today, climatologists and other mainstream researchers float renewable energy as humanity’s silver bullet to fight climate change. The discussions around the topic have inspired interest among the young and the old, leading to increased enrolment in climate-related studies, participation in demos and campaigns, and sharing of knowledge in talk shows and online platforms. However, being passionate about renewable energy and sharing your insights with others are two different things. Many people struggle to express themselves. Yet, there’s no room for hesitation regarding climate change. We must all act now and play the small part we can to reverse it. As such, it’s crucial to understand the power of words in advocating for change as the world shifts towards more sustainable energy sources. In this short article, we’ll guide you in crafting a winning essay on renewable energy, exploiting the power of storytelling to capture people’s attention while highlighting the importance of taking immediate action to reverse its potential impacts on humanity.

Unlocking the Power of Words: Secrets to Writing about Energy

The internet is awash with essays and articles on various topics. In the last few years, climate change has become one of the most targeted topics of discussion. So, by writing another renewable energy essay, you could add to the debate but not make any significant impact. Therefore, it’s vital to create a well-crafted piece to convey your ideas and influence your audience effectively. Remember that the intention is not to add to the existing literature but to make a powerful impact. A poorly written essay may fail to engage your readers and diminish the significance of your message. Consider what’s at stake when writing a renewable energy essay.

To make your work stand out, pay special attention to writing mechanics such as coherence and persuasive techniques. Additionally, adhere to grammar and writing style requirements. Most importantly, stay on the topic. While climate change is an emotive issue, be careful not to be dragged into every aspect of the debate. Yours should be to communicate your ideas effectively and inspire action.

From Sun to Success: Tips to Write an Essay on Renewable Energy

Writing a renewable energy paper is unlike crafting other documents. The scrutiny such pieces get in today’s world is mind-boggling. A simple misrepresentation of facts or omission can attract incredibly unwanted attention. So, how do you create an impactful and persuasive piece of writing on this topic? We’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve put together some invaluable tips to help you harness the power of words to make a difference in the world of renewable energy.

Choosing the perfect topic

There are numerous topics under renewable energy to explore. It’s improbable to examine or discuss them all. Consequently, it would be best to settle for the one that interests you the most or addresses the most critical issues on the subject matter. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a topic:   

Relevance: If it’s not germane, don’t write it. Your primary objective is to address current issues and developments in the field of renewable energy, ensuring your essay is timely and highlights essential concerns. We understand this can challenge some students, so we recommend seeking professional help. For example, you can use a trustworthy paper writing service , to help write your essay online or develop a topic.

Uniqueness: As we said earlier, you don’t want to add to existing literature but explore new ideas from different perspectives. Consider topics that stand out, especially those in niche areas or emerging technologies within renewable energy, e.g., wave and tidal power, solar skin technology, and floating solar farms, among others.

Passion : Don’t just write, do so about the things you love or are genuinely passionate about. Readers can always tell if you’re writing for money, attention, or interest. If you put your heart into it, your enthusiasm will shine through it and engage them.

Conduct thorough research

Thorough research is the backbone of any well-written essay. This is especially critical when crafting an essay on renewable energy. You must not only gather reliable and up-to-date information from credible sources but also use them expertly. But how can an amateur achieve this? Here are some tips:

Rely on credible sources: Libraries and online databases contain millions of books and articles about renewable energy. So, how can a student know reputable ones? Most often, academic journals and government reports are the most reliable. They contain information that’s been verified by peers. You can also check educational institutes and organizations that provide primary data, e.g., NASA and NSE.

Stay updated : Things can move very fast in the field of renewable energy. As such, you must always be alert or risk being left behind. Therefore, access the latest research on the topic and, if possible, subscribe to newsletters and publications on renewable energy. A rapidly evolving field requires unconventional ways to stay ahead.

Take notes : There could be so much to learn on this topic. However, always note new trends, emerging issues, and controversies. This way, you can update your essays long after writing them, keeping them relevant for longer.   

Structuring your essay for maximum impact

An essay is only as impactful as the structure of its arguments. You can’t go far with a haphazard essay design. You must adopt a well-structured format to convey your ideas clearly and effectively. This may not be as straightforward as it seems. So, here are a few considerations for you:

Introduction : Begin your article with a powerful and captivating paragraph outlining what it is about and the direction of your argument. Remember that a flat introduction can distract readers from an otherwise excellent essay.    

Main body : Divide the body of your essay into several paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect or argument related to renewable energy. Here, you’re supposed to produce evidence and dispute any divergent opinions with solid arguments. This is the core of your paper.

Conclusion : This section is no less important than the others. You should use it to summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Given the criticalness of the topic, you can sign off with a thought-provoking message that reinforces the importance of renewable energy and encourages action or further exploration of the subject.

Do Some Research to Craft an A+ Renewable Energy Essay

Any good English paper requires careful planning, thorough research, and effective writing techniques . However, when trading in extremely high-stakes zones, your writing ability becomes secondary. The accuracy of your claims comes first when crafting essays on renewable energy. Still, other components remain vital. Therefore, by choosing a compelling topic, conducting thorough research based on valid questions, structuring your essay for maximum impact, and utilizing persuasive language and credible sources, you can create a powerful piece of writing that inspires action and raises awareness about the importance of renewable energy.

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What Is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy comes from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation.

Non-renewable energy, in contrast, comes from finite sources, such as coal, natural gas, and oil.

How Does Renewable Energy Work?

Renewable energy sources, such as biomass, the heat in the earth’s crust, sunlight, water, and wind, are natural resources that can be converted into several types of clean, usable energy:

Bioenergy Geothermal Energy Hydrogen and Other Renewable Fuels Hydropower Marine Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy

Learn the truth about clean energy.

Benefits of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy offers numerous economic, environmental, and social advantages. These include:

• Reduced carbon emissions and air pollution from energy production
• Enhanced reliability , security, and resilience of the power grid
• Job creation through the increased production and manufacturing of renewable energy technologies
• Increased U.S. energy independence
• Lower energy costs
• Expanded energy access for remote, coastal, or isolated communities.

Learn more about the advantages of wind energy , solar energy , bioenergy , geothermal energy , hydropower , and marine energy , and how the U.S. Department of Energy is working to modernize the power grid and increase renewable energy production.

Renewable Energy in the United States

Renewable energy generates over 20% of all U.S. electricity , and that percentage continues to grow. The following graphic breaks down the shares of total electricity production in 2022 among the types of renewable power: 

In 2022, annual U.S. renewable energy generation surpassed coal for the first time in history. By 2025, domestic solar energy generation is expected to increase by 75%, and wind by 11%. 

The United States is a resource-rich country with enough renewable energy resources to generate more than 100 times the amount of electricity Americans use each year.  Learn more about renewable energy potential in the United States.

Subscribe to stay up to date on the latest clean energy news from EERE.

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has three core divisions: Renewable Energy, Sustainable Transportation and Fuels, and Buildings and Industry. The Renewable Energy pillar comprises four technology offices:

Every American can advocate for renewable energy by becoming a Clean Energy Champion. Both small and large actions make a difference. Join the movement .

Advancing Renewable Energy in the United States

EERE offers funding for renewable energy research and development, as well as programs that support the siting of renewable energy , connection of renewable energy to the grid , and community-led energy projects . Find open funding opportunities and learn how to apply for funding .

The U.S. Department of Energy's 17 national laboratories conduct research and help bring renewable energy technologies to market. 

Renewable Energy at Home

Homeowners and renters can use clean energy at home by buying green power, installing renewable energy systems to generate electricity, or using renewable resources for water and space heating and cooling.

Before installing a renewable energy system, it's important to reduce your energy consumption and improve your home’s energy efficiency .

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renewable energy , usable energy derived from replenishable sources such as the Sun ( solar energy ), wind ( wind power ), rivers ( hydroelectric power ), hot springs ( geothermal energy ), tides ( tidal power ), and biomass ( biofuels ).

At the beginning of the 21st century, about 80 percent of the world’s energy supply was derived from fossil fuels such as coal , petroleum , and natural gas . Fossil fuels are finite resources; most estimates suggest that the proven reserves of oil are large enough to meet global demand at least until the middle of the 21st century. Fossil fuel combustion has a number of negative environmental consequences. Fossil-fueled power plants emit air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide , particulate matter , nitrogen oxides, and toxic chemicals (heavy metals: mercury , chromium , and arsenic ), and mobile sources, such as fossil-fueled vehicles, emit nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide , and particulate matter. Exposure to these pollutants can cause heart disease , asthma , and other human health problems. In addition, emissions from fossil fuel combustion are responsible for acid rain , which has led to the acidification of many lakes and consequent damage to aquatic life, leaf damage in many forests, and the production of smog in or near many urban areas. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), one of the main greenhouse gases that cause global warming .

In contrast, renewable energy sources accounted for nearly 20 percent of global energy consumption at the beginning of the 21st century, largely from traditional uses of biomass such as wood for heating and cooking . By 2015 about 16 percent of the world’s total electricity came from large hydroelectric power plants, whereas other types of renewable energy (such as solar, wind, and geothermal) accounted for 6 percent of total electricity generation. Some energy analysts consider nuclear power to be a form of renewable energy because of its low carbon emissions; nuclear power generated 10.6 percent of the world’s electricity in 2015.

Growth in wind power exceeded 20 percent and photovoltaics grew at 30 percent annually in the 1990s, and renewable energy technologies continued to expand throughout the early 21st century. Between 2001 and 2017 world total installed wind power capacity increased by a factor of 22, growing from 23,900 to 539,581 megawatts. Photovoltaic capacity also expanded, increasing by 50 percent in 2016 alone. The European Union (EU), which produced an estimated 6.38 percent of its energy from renewable sources in 2005, adopted a goal in 2007 to raise that figure to 20 percent by 2020. By 2016 some 17 percent of the EU’s energy came from renewable sources. The goal also included plans to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 percent and to ensure that 10 percent of all fuel consumption comes from biofuels . The EU was well on its way to achieving those targets by 2017. Between 1990 and 2016 the countries of the EU reduced carbon emissions by 23 percent and increased biofuel production to 5.5 percent of all fuels consumed in the region. In the United States numerous states have responded to concerns over climate change and reliance on imported fossil fuels by setting goals to increase renewable energy over time. For example, California required its major utility companies to produce 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010, and by the end of that year California utilities were within 1 percent of the goal. In 2008 California increased this requirement to 33 percent by 2020, and in 2017 the state further increased its renewable-use target to 50 percent by 2030.

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• 08 August 2023

Clean energy can fuel the future — and make the world healthier

You have full access to this article via your institution.

China is on track to reach its solar-power target for 2030. Credit: Zhao Yongtao/VCG/Getty

The 2030 targets laid out by the United Nations for the seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) are clear enough: provide affordable access to energy; expand use of renewable sources; improve energy efficiency year on year; and enhance international cooperation in support of clean-energy research, development and infrastructure. Meeting those goals, however, will be anything but simple. As seen in many of the editorials in this series examining the SDGs at their halfway stage , the world is falling short.

This is due, at least in part, to the influence of the fossil-fuel industry, which drives the economics and, often, the politics of countries large and small, rich and poor. Rising human prosperity, as measured by economic growth, has long been linked to an abundance of fossil fuels. Many politicians fear that the pursuit of clean-energy sources will compromise that economic development. The latest science clearly counters this view — but the voice of the research community is not being heard in the right places. To meet the targets embodied in SDG 7, that has to change.

There is much to be done. In 2021, some 675 million people worldwide still did not have access to electricity. This is down from 1.1 billion a decade or so ago, but the pace of progress has slowed. On the basis of current trends, 660 million people, many of them in sub-Saharan Africa, will remain without electricity by 2030. And projections indicate that some 1.9 billion people will still be using polluting and inefficient cooking systems fuelled by coal and wood (see go.nature.com/3s8d887 ). This is bad news all round: for health, biodiversity and the climate.

Carbon emissions hit new high: warning from COP27

Achieving the energy-access targets was always going to be a stretch, but progress has been slow elsewhere, too. Take energy efficiency. More energy efficiency means less pollution, and energy efficiency has increased by around 2% annually in the past few years. But meeting the target for 2030 — to double the rate of the 1990–2010 average — would require gains of around 3.4% every year for the rest of this decade.

The picture for renewable energy is similarly mixed. Despite considerable growth in wind and solar power to generate grid electricity, progress in the heat and transport sectors remains sluggish. Renewable energy’s share of total global energy consumption was just 19.1% in 2020, according to the latest UN tracking report, but one-third of that came from burning resources such as wood.

One reason for the slow progress is the continued idea that aggressive clean-energy goals will get in the way of economic development. It’s easier and more profitable for major fossil-fuel producers to simply maintain the status quo. Just last month, ministers from the G20 group of the world’s biggest economies, including the European Union, India, Saudi Arabia and the United States, failed to agree on a plan to phase out fossil fuels and triple the capacity of renewable energy by 2030.

But this is where science has a story to tell. In the past, researchers say, many models indicated that clean energy would be more expensive than that from fossil fuels, potentially pricing the poorest nations out of the market as well as driving up people’s food bills and exacerbating hunger. But the latest research suggests that the picture is more complex. Energy is a linchpin for most of the SDGs, and research that merges climate, energy and the SDGs underscores this 1 . For example, the agriculture and food-transport sectors still depend on fossil fuels, and that generates pollution that kills millions of people each year. Other links are indirect: lack of access to light at night and to online information — as a result of energy poverty — hampers educational attainment and contributes to both long- and short-term inequality.

US aims for electric-car revolution — will it work?

The lesson from research is that it might be easier, not harder, to address these challenges together. In 2021, researcher Gabriela Iacobuţă at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability in Bonn and her colleagues showed that technologies centred on renewable resources and efficiency tend to come with few trade-offs and many benefits, including improved public health and wealth, thanks to a cleaner environment and better jobs 2 . And climate scientist Bjoern Soergel at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and his colleagues found that a coordinated package of climate and development policies could achieve most of the SDGs while limiting global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels 3 .

The study assessed 56 indicators across all 17 SDGs. One proposed intervention is an international climate finance mechanism that would levy fees on carbon emissions that would be redistributed through national programmes to reduce poverty. A second focuses on promoting healthy diets — including reducing the consumption of meat, the production of which requires a lot of water, energy and land. This would benefit people on low incomes by lowering both food and energy prices.

The biggest challenge lies in translating these models to the real world. To do so, we need leaders who are not bound by outmoded thinking, are aware of the latest science and can draw on the research to build public support for the necessary energy transition. We require more national and international public institutions that are willing to address problems at the system level. And all of this needs a science community that is willing and able to champion knowledge and evidence.

Nature 620 , 245 (2023)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-02510-y

Vohra, K. et al. Environ. Res. 195 , 110754 (2021).

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Iacobuţă, G. I., Höhne, N., van Soest, H. L. & Leemans, R. Sustainability 13 , 10774 (2021).

Article   Google Scholar  

Soergel, B. et al. Nature Clim. Change 11 , 656–664 (2021).

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In Southeast Asia, Private Investment in Clean Energy is Helping to Fight Climate Change

Photo essay | 13 october 2021, share this page.

ADB’s private sector operations department partners with the private sector to find new ways to fill investment gaps for clean energy generation and distribution.

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Tajikistan is among the countries with a very high exposure to climate and disaster risks. Around 400 climate-induced incidents (such as avalanches, mudflows, landslides, and flash floods) happen yearly in the country, severely affecting people and the economy. Students of an art school in Tajikistan painted images of the impacts of climate change they’d witnessed in August 2023.

An ADB-assisted $20 million COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Project improved the longer-term capacity of the Kyrgyz Republic’s health system. With ADB support, the Kyrgyz Republic has upgraded 18 hospitals nationwide by expanding and equipping their intensive care units. The project helped procure medical and personal protection equipment, finance minor rehabilitation, and support salary top-ups and other eligible expenses. The project also improved government resilience to future health pandemics and disasters.

ADB provides steadfast assistance in improving key road corridors and livelihoods in southern Tajikistan. The assistance includes training activities for empowering the economic capacity of women living near the project roads using a mobile app. Such a comprehensive approach is expected to demonstrate the synergetic effects and eventually contribute to strengthening the region's economic platform.

• ENVIRONMENT

Renewable energy, explained

Solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal power can provide energy without the planet-warming effects of fossil fuels.

In any discussion about climate change , renewable energy usually tops the list of changes the world can implement to stave off the worst effects of rising temperatures. That's because renewable energy sources such as solar and wind don't emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming .

Clean energy has far more to recommend it than just being "green." The growing sector creates jobs , makes electric grids more resilient, expands energy access in developing countries, and helps lower energy bills. All of those factors have contributed to a renewable energy renaissance in recent years, with wind and solar setting new records for electricity generation .

For the past 150 years or so, humans have relied heavily on coal, oil, and other fossil fuels to power everything from light bulbs to cars to factories. Fossil fuels are embedded in nearly everything we do, and as a result, the greenhouse gases released from the burning of those fuels have reached historically high levels .

As greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise escape into space, average temperatures on the surface are rising . Global warming is one symptom of climate change, the term scientists now prefer to describe the complex shifts affecting our planet’s weather and climate systems. Climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas , and a range of other impacts .

Of course, renewables—like any source of energy—have their own trade-offs and associated debates. One of them centers on the definition of renewable energy. Strictly speaking, renewable energy is just what you might think: perpetually available, or as the U.S. Energy Information Administration puts it, " virtually inexhaustible ." But "renewable" doesn't necessarily mean sustainable, as opponents of corn-based ethanol or large hydropower dams often argue. It also doesn't encompass other low- or zero-emissions resources that have their own advocates, including energy efficiency and nuclear power.

Types of renewable energy sources

Hydropower: For centuries, people have harnessed the energy of river currents, using dams to control water flow. Hydropower is the world's biggest source of renewable energy by far, with China, Brazil, Canada, the U.S., and Russia the leading hydropower producers . While hydropower is theoretically a clean energy source replenished by rain and snow, it also has several drawbacks.

Large dams can disrupt river ecosystems and surrounding communities , harming wildlife and displacing residents. Hydropower generation is vulnerable to silt buildup, which can compromise capacity and harm equipment. Drought can also cause problems. In the western U.S., carbon dioxide emissions over a 15-year period were 100 megatons higher than they normally would have been, according to a 2018 study , as utilities turned to coal and gas to replace hydropower lost to drought. Even hydropower at full capacity bears its own emissions problems, as decaying organic material in reservoirs releases methane.

Dams aren't the only way to use water for power: Tidal and wave energy projects around the world aim to capture the ocean's natural rhythms. Marine energy projects currently generate an estimated 500 megawatts of power —less than one percent of all renewables—but the potential is far greater. Programs like Scotland’s Saltire Prize have encouraged innovation in this area.

Wind: Harnessing the wind as a source of energy started more than 7,000 years ago . Now, electricity-generating wind turbines are proliferating around the globe, and China, the U.S., and Germany are the leading wind energy producers. From 2001 to 2017 , cumulative wind capacity around the world increased to more than 539,000 megawatts from 23,900 mw—more than 22 fold.

Some people may object to how wind turbines look on the horizon and to how they sound, but wind energy, whose prices are declining , is proving too valuable a resource to deny. While most wind power comes from onshore turbines, offshore projects are appearing too, with the most in the U.K. and Germany. The first U.S. offshore wind farm opened in 2016 in Rhode Island, and other offshore projects are gaining momentum . Another problem with wind turbines is that they’re a danger for birds and bats, killing hundreds of thousands annually , not as many as from glass collisions and other threats like habitat loss and invasive species, but enough that engineers are working on solutions to make them safer for flying wildlife.

You May Also Like

Can energy harnessed from Earth’s interior help power the world?

How the historic climate bill will dramatically reduce U.S. emissions

We took the Great American Road Trip—in electric cars

Solar: From home rooftops to utility-scale farms, solar power is reshaping energy markets around the world. In the decade from 2007 and 2017 the world's total installed energy capacity from photovoltaic panels increased a whopping 4,300 percent .

In addition to solar panels, which convert the sun's light to electricity, concentrating solar power (CSP) plants use mirrors to concentrate the sun's heat, deriving thermal energy instead. China, Japan, and the U.S. are leading the solar transformation, but solar still has a long way to go, accounting for around two percent of the total electricity generated in the U.S. in 2017. Solar thermal energy is also being used worldwide for hot water, heating, and cooling.

Biomass: Biomass energy includes biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel , wood and wood waste, biogas from landfills, and municipal solid waste. Like solar power, biomass is a flexible energy source, able to fuel vehicles, heat buildings, and produce electricity. But biomass can raise thorny issues.

Critics of corn-based ethanol , for example, say it competes with the food market for corn and supports the same harmful agricultural practices that have led to toxic algae blooms and other environmental hazards. Similarly, debates have erupted over whether it's a good idea to ship wood pellets from U.S. forests over to Europe so that it can be burned for electricity. Meanwhile, scientists and companies are working on ways to more efficiently convert corn stover , wastewater sludge , and other biomass sources into energy, aiming to extract value from material that would otherwise go to waste.

Geothermal: Used for thousands of years in some countries for cooking and heating, geothermal energy is derived from the Earth’s internal heat . On a large scale, underground reservoirs of steam and hot water can be tapped through wells that can go a mile deep or more to generate electricity. On a smaller scale, some buildings have geothermal heat pumps that use temperature differences several feet below ground for heating and cooling. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal energy is always available, but it has side effects that need to be managed, such as the rotten egg smell that can accompany released hydrogen sulfide.

Ways to boost renewable energy

Cities, states, and federal governments around the world are instituting policies aimed at increasing renewable energy. At least 29 U.S. states have set renewable portfolio standards —policies that mandate a certain percentage of energy from renewable sources, More than 100 cities worldwide now boast at least 70 percent renewable energy, and still others are making commitments to reach 100 percent . Other policies that could encourage renewable energy growth include carbon pricing, fuel economy standards, and building efficiency standards. Corporations are making a difference too, purchasing record amounts of renewable power in 2018.

Wonder whether your state could ever be powered by 100 percent renewables? No matter where you live, scientist Mark Jacobson believes it's possible. That vision is laid out here , and while his analysis is not without critics , it punctuates a reality with which the world must now reckon. Even without climate change, fossil fuels are a finite resource, and if we want our lease on the planet to be renewed, our energy will have to be renewable.

Related Topics

• SUSTAINABILITY
• RENEWABLE ENERGY
• GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
• SOLAR POWER
• HYDROELECTRIC POWER
• CLIMATE CHANGE

5 environmental victories from 2021 that offer hope

Activists fear a new threat to biodiversity—renewable energy

How the Ukraine war is accelerating Germany's renewable energy transition

3 ways COVID-19 is making us rethink energy and emissions

Let’s not waste this crucial moment: We need to stop abusing the planet

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Introduction to Renewable Energy

Exploring our content.

Fast Facts View our summary of key facts and information. ( Printable PDF, 270 KB )

Before You Watch Our Lecture Maximize your learning experience by reviewing these carefully curated readings we assign to our students.

Our Lecture Watch the Stanford course lecture.

Additional Resources Find out where to explore beyond our site.

Fast Facts About Renewable Energy

Principle Energy Uses: Electricity, Heat Forms of Energy: Kinetic, Thermal, Radiant, Chemical

The term “renewable” encompasses a wide diversity of energy resources with varying economics, technologies, end uses, scales, environmental impacts, availability, and depletability. For example, fully “renewable” resources are not depleted by human use, whereas “semi-renewable” resources must be properly managed to ensure long-term availability. The most renewable type of energy is energy efficiency, which reduces overall consumption while providing the same energy service. Most renewable energy resources have significantly lower environmental and climate impacts than their fossil fuel counterparts.

The data in these Fast Facts do not reflect two important renewable energy resources: traditional biomass, which is widespread but difficult to measure; and energy efficiency, a critical strategy for reducing energy consumption while maintaining the same energy services and quality of life. See the Biomass and Energy Efficiency pages to learn more.

Significance

14% of world 🌎 9% of US 🇺🇸

Electricity Generation

30% of world 🌎 21% of US 🇺🇸

Global Renewable Energy Uses

Electricity 65% Heat 26% Transportation 9%

Global Consumption of Renewable Electricity Change

Increase: ⬆ 33% (2017 to 2022)

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency measures such as LED light bulbs reduce the need for energy in the first place

Renewable Resources

Wind Solar Ocean

Semi-Renewable Resources

Hydro Geothermal Biomass

Renewable Energy Has Vast Potential to Meet Global Energy Demand

Solar >1,000x global demand Wind ~3x global demand

Share of Global Energy Demand Met by Renewable Resources

Hydropower 7% Wind 3% Solar 2% Biomass <2%  

Share of Global Electricity Generation Met by Renewable Resources

Hydropower 15% Wind 7% Solar 5% Biomass & Geothermal <3%

Global Growth

Hydropower generation increase ⬆6% Wind generation increase ⬆84% Solar generation increase ⬆197% Biofuels consumption increase ⬆23% (2017-2022)

Largest Renewable Energy Producers

China 34% 🇨🇳 US 10% 🇺🇸 of global renewable energy

Highest Penetration of Renewable Energy

Norway 72% 🇳🇴 of the country’s primary energy is renewable

(China is at 16%, the US is at 11%)

Largest Renewable Electricity Producers

China 31% 🇨🇳 US 11% 🇺🇸 of global renewable electricity

Highest Penetration of Renewable Electricity

Albania, Bhutan, CAR, Lesotho, Nepal, & Iceland 100%

Iceland, Ethiopia, Paraguay, DRC, Norway, Costa Rica, Uganda, Namibia, Eswatini, Zambia, Tajikistan, & Sierra Leone > 90% of the country’s primary electricity is renewable

(China is at 31%, the US is at 22%)

Share of US Energy Demand Met by Renewable Resources

Biomass 5% Wind 2% Hydro 1% Solar 1%

Share of US Electricity Generation Met by Renewable Resources

Wind 10% Hydropower 6% Solar 3% Biomass 1%

US States That Produce the Most Renewable Electricity

Texas 21% California 11% of US renewable energy production

US States With Highest Penetration of Renewable Electricity

Vermont >99% South Dakota 84% Washington 76% Idaho 75% of state’s total generation comes from renewable fuels

Renewable Energy Expansion Policies

The Inflation Reduction Act continued tax credits for new renewable energy projects in the US.

Production Tax Credit (PTC)

Tax credit of $0.0275/kWh of electricity produced at qualifying renewable power generation sites

Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Tax credit of 30% of the cost of a new qualifying renewable power generation site

To read more about the credit qualifications, visit this EPA site .

*LCOE (levelized cost of electricity) - price for which a unit of electricity must be sold for system to break even

Important Factors for Renewable Site Selection

• Resource availability
• Environmental constraints and sensitivities, including cultural and archeological sites
• Transmission infrastructure
• Power plant retirements
• Transmission congestion and prices
• Electricity markets
• Load growth driven by population and industry
• Policy support
• Land rights and permitting
• Competitive and declining costs of wind, solar, and energy storage
• Lower environmental and climate impacts (social costs) than fossil fuels
• Expansion of competitive wholesale electricity markets
• Governmental clean energy and climate targets and policies
• Corporate clean energy targets and procurement of renewable energy
• No fuel cost or fuel price volatility
• Retirements of old and/or expensive coal and nuclear power plants
• Most renewable resources are abundant, undepletable
• Permitting hurdles and NIMBY/BANANA* concerns
• Competition from subsidized fossil fuels and a lack of price for their social cost (e.g., price on carbon)
• Site-specific resources means greater need to transport energy/electricity to demand
• High initial capital expenditure requirements required to access fuel cost/operating savings
• Intermittent resources
• Inconsistent governmental incentives and subsidies
• Managing environmental impacts to the extent that they exist

*NIMBY - not in my backyard; BANANA - build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything

Climate Impact: Low to High

• Solar, wind, geothermal, and ocean have low climate impacts with near-zero emissions; hydro and biomass can have medium to high climate impact
• Hydro: Some locations have greenhouse gas emissions due to decomposing flooded vegetation
• Biomass: Some crops require significant energy inputs, land use change can release carbon dioxide and methane

Environmental Impact: Low to High

• Most renewable energy resources have low environmental impacts, particularly relative to fossil fuels; some, like biomass, can have more significant impacts
• No air pollution with the exception of biomass from certain feedstocks
• Can have land and habitat disruption for biomass production, solar, and hydro
• Potential wildlife impacts from wind turbines (birds and bats)
• Modest environmental impacts during manufacturing, transportation, and end of life

Updated January 2024

Before You Watch Our Lecture on Introduction to Renewable Energy

We assign videos and readings to our Stanford students as pre-work for each lecture to help contextualize the lecture content. We strongly encourage you to review the Essential reading below before watching our lecture on  Introduction to Renewable Energy . Include the Optional and Useful readings based on your interests and available time.

• The Sustainable Energy in America 2024 Factbook (Executive Summary pp. 5-10) . Bloomberg New Energy Finance. 2024. (6 pages) Provides valuable year-over-year data and insights on the American energy transformation.

Optional and Useful

• Renewables 2024 Global Status Report (Global Overview pp. 10-39) . REN21. 2024. (30 pages)  Documents the progress made in the renewable energy sector and highlights the opportunities afforded by a renewable-based economy and society.

Our Lecture on Introduction to Renewable Energy

This is our Stanford University Understand Energy course lecture that introduces renewable energy. We strongly encourage you to watch the full lecture to gain foundational knowledge about renewable energy and important context for learning more about specific renewable energy resources. For a complete learning experience, we also encourage you to review the Essential reading we assign to our students before watching the lecture.

Presented by: Kirsten Stasio , Adjunct Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University; CEO, Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) Recorded on:  May 15, 2024  Duration: 68 minutes

Table of Contents

(Clicking on a timestamp will take you to YouTube.) 00:00 Introduction  02:06 What Does “Renewable” Mean?  15:29 What Role Do Renewables Play in Our Energy Use?  27:12 What Factors Affect Renewable Energy Project Development?

Lecture slides available upon request .

Additional Resources About Renewable Energy

Stanford university.

• Precourt Institute for Energy Renewable Energy , Energy Efficiency
• Stanford Energy Club
• Energy Modeling Forum
• Sustainable Stanford
• Sustainable Finance Initiative
• Mark Jacobson - Renewable energy
• Michael Lepech - Life-cycle analysis
• Leonard Ortolano - Environmental and water resource planning
• Chris Field - Climate change, land use, bioenergy, solar energy
• David Lobell - Climate change, agriculture, biofuels, land use
• Sally Benson - Climate change, energy, carbon capture and storage

Government and International Organizations

• International Energy Agency (IEA) Renewables Renewables 2022 Repor .
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)
• US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Renewable Energy Explained
• US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Energy Kids Renewable Energy
• US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Today in Energy Renewables

Other Organizations and Resources

• REN21: Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
• REN21 Renewables 2023 Global Status Report Renewables in Energy Supply
• BloombergNEF (BNEF)
• Carnegie Institution for Science  Biosphere Sciences and Engineering
• The Solutions Project
• Renewable Energy World
• World of Renewables
• Energy Upgrade California

Next Topic: Energy Efficiency Other Energy Topics to Explore

Fast Facts Sources

• Energy Mix (World 2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Energy Mix (US 2022): US Energy Information Agency (EIA). Total Energy: Energy Overview, Table 1.3 . 
• Electricity Mix (World 2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Electricity Mix (US 2022): US Energy Information Agency (EIA). Total Energy: Electricity, Table 7.2a.  
• Global Solar Use (2022): REN21. Renewables 2023 Global Status Report: Renewables in Energy Supply , page 42. 2023
• Global Consumption of Renewable Electricity Change (2017-2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Renewable Energy Potential: Perez & Perez. A Fundamental Look at Energy Reserves for the Planet . 2009
• Share of Global Energy Demand (2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Share of Global Electricity Demand (2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Global Growth (2017-2022): Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Largest Renewable Energy Producers (World 2022): International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Capacity Statistics 2023 . 2023.
• Highest Penetration Renewable Energy (World 2022): Our World in Data. Renewable Energy . 2023.
• Largest Renewable Electricity Producers (World 2022):   Energy Institute. Statistical Review of World Energy . 2023.
• Highest Penetration Renewable Electricity (World 2022): Our World in Data. Renewable Energy . 2023.
• Share of US Energy Demand (2022): Energy Information Administration (EIA). Electric Power Monthly. 2023.
• Share of Electricity Generation (2022): Energy Information Administration (EIA). Electric Power Monthly. 2023.
• States with Highest Generation (2022): Energy Information Administration (EIA). Electric Power Monthly. 2023.
• States with Highest Penetration (2021): Energy Information Administration (EIA). State Profile and Energy Estimates. 2023.
• LCOE of US Renewable Resources: Lazard. LCOE. April 2023.
• LCOE of US Non Renewable Resources: Lazard. LCOE. April 2023.

More details available on request . Back to Fast Facts

Benefits of Renewable Energy Use

Published Jul 14, 2008 Updated Dec 20, 2017

Wind turbines and solar panels are an increasingly common sight. But why? What are the benefits of renewable energies—and how do they improve our health, environment, and economy?

This page explores the many positive impacts of clean energy, including the benefits of wind , solar , geothermal , hydroelectric , and biomass . For more information on their negative impacts—including effective solutions to avoid, minimize, or mitigate—see our page on  The Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies .

Less global warming

Human activity is overloading our atmosphere with carbon dioxide and other  global warming emissions . These gases act like a blanket, trapping heat. The result is a web of  significant and harmful impacts , from stronger, more frequent storms, to drought, sea level rise, and extinction.

In the United States, about 29 percent of global warming emissions come from our electricity sector. Most of those emissions come from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas [ 1 ,  2 ].

What is CO 2 e?

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, but other air pollutants—such as methane—also cause global warming. Different energy sources produce different amounts of these pollutants. To make comparisons easier, we use a carbon dioxide equivalent , or CO2e—the amount of carbon dioxide required to produce an equivalent amount of warming.

In contrast, most renewable energy sources produce little to no global warming emissions. Even when including “life cycle” emissions of clean energy (ie, the emissions from each stage of a technology’s life—manufacturing, installation, operation, decommissioning), the global warming emissions associated with renewable energy are minimal [ 3 ].

The comparison becomes clear when you look at the numbers. Burning natural gas for electricity releases between 0.6 and 2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour (CO2E/kWh); coal emits between 1.4 and 3.6 pounds of CO2E/kWh.  Wind , on the other hand, is responsible for only 0.02 to 0.04 pounds of CO2E/kWh on a life-cycle basis;  solar  0.07 to 0.2;  geothermal  0.1 to 0.2; and  hydroelectric  between 0.1 and 0.5.

Renewable electricity generation from  biomass  can have a wide range of global warming emissions depending on the resource and whether or not it is sustainably sourced and harvested.

Increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce US global warming emissions.

For example, a 2009 UCS analysis found that a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025—the equivalent of the annual output from 70 typical (600 MW) new coal plants [ 4 ].

In addition, a ground-breaking study by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) explored the feasibility of generating 80 percent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2050. They found that renewable energy could help reduce the electricity sector’s emissions by approximately 81 percent [ 5 ].

Improved public health

The air and water pollution emitted by coal and natural gas plants is linked with breathing problems, neurological damage, heart attacks, cancer, premature death, and a host of other serious problems. The pollution affects everyone: one Harvard University study estimated the life cycle costs and public health effects of coal to be an estimated $74.6 billion every year . That’s equivalent to 4.36 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced—about one-third of the average electricity rate for a typical US home [ 6 ].

Most of these negative health impacts come from air and water pollution that clean energy technologies simply don’t produce. Wind, solar, and hydroelectric systems generate electricity with no associated air pollution emissions. Geothermal and biomass systems emit some air pollutants, though total air emissions are generally much lower than those of coal- and natural gas-fired power plants.

In addition, wind and solar energy require essentially no water to operate and thus do not pollute water resources or strain supplies by competing with agriculture, drinking water, or other important water needs. In contrast, fossil fuels can have a  significant impact on water resources : both coal mining and natural gas drilling can pollute sources of drinking water, and all thermal power plants, including those powered by coal, gas, and oil, withdraw and consume water for cooling. 

Biomass and geothermal power plants, like coal- and natural gas-fired power plants, may require water for cooling. Hydroelectric power plants can disrupt river ecosystems both upstream and downstream from the dam. However, NREL's 80-percent-by-2050 renewable energy study, which included biomass and geothermal, found that total water consumption and withdrawal would decrease significantly in a future with high renewables [ 7 ].

Inexhaustible energy

Strong winds, sunny skies, abundant plant matter, heat from the earth, and fast-moving water can each provide a vast and constantly replenished supply of energy. A relatively small fraction of US electricity currently comes from these sources, but that could change: studies have repeatedly shown that renewable energy can provide a significant share of future electricity needs, even after accounting for potential constraints [ 9 ].

In fact, a major government-sponsored study found that clean energy could contribute somewhere between three and 80 times its 2013 levels, depending on assumptions [8]. And the previously mentioned NREL study found that renewable energy could comfortably provide up to 80 percent of US electricity by 2050.

Getting Excited About Energy: Expanding Renewables in the US

Jobs and other economic benefits.

Compared with fossil fuel technologies, which are typically mechanized and capital intensive, the renewable energy industry is more labor intensive. Solar panels need humans to install them; wind farms need technicians for maintenance.

This means that, on average, more jobs are created for each unit of electricity generated from renewable sources than from fossil fuels.

Renewable energy already supports thousands of jobs in the United States. In 2016, the wind energy industry directly employed over 100,000 full-time-equivalent employees in a variety of capacities, including manufacturing, project development, construction and turbine installation, operations and maintenance, transportation and logistics, and financial, legal, and consulting services [ 10 ]. More than 500 factories in the United States manufacture parts for wind turbines, and wind power project installations in 2016 alone represented $13.0 billion in investments [ 11 ].

Other renewable energy technologies employ even more workers. In 2016, the solar industry employed more than 260,000 people, including jobs in solar installation, manufacturing, and sales, a 25% increase over 2015 [ 12 ]. The hydroelectric power industry employed approximately 66,000 people in 2017 [ 13 ]; the geothermal industry employed 5,800 people [ 14] .

Increased support for renewable energy could create even more jobs. The 2009 Union of Concerned Scientists study of a 25-percent-by-2025 renewable energy standard found that such a policy would create more than three times as many jobs (more than 200,000) as producing an equivalent amount of electricity from fossil fuels [ 15 ]. 

In contrast, the entire coal industry employed 160,000 people in 2016 [ 26 ].

In addition to the jobs directly created in the renewable energy industry, growth in clean energy can create positive economic “ripple” effects. For example, industries in the renewable energy supply chain will benefit, and unrelated local businesses will benefit from increased household and business incomes [ 16 ].

Local governments also benefit from clean energy, most often in the form of property and income taxes and other payments from renewable energy project owners. Owners of the land on which wind projects are built often receive lease payments ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 per megawatt of installed capacity, as well as payments for power line easements and road rights-of-way. They may also earn royalties based on the project’s annual revenues. Farmers and rural landowners can generate new sources of supplemental income by producing feedstocks for biomass power facilities.

UCS analysis found that a 25-by-2025 national renewable electricity standard would stimulate $263.4 billion in new capital investment for renewable energy technologies, $13.5 billion in new landowner income from? biomass production and/or wind land lease payments, and $11.5 billion in new property tax revenue for local communities [ 17 ].

Stable energy prices

Renewable energy is providing affordable electricity across the country right now, and can help stabilize energy prices in the future.

Although renewable facilities require upfront investments to build, they can then operate at very low cost (for most clean energy technologies, the “fuel” is free). As a result, renewable energy prices can be very stable over time.

Moreover, the costs of renewable energy technologies have declined steadily, and are projected to drop even more. For example, the average price to install solar dropped more than 70 percent between 2010 and 2017 [ 20 ]. The cost of generating electricity from wind dropped 66 percent between 2009 and 2016 [ 21 ]. Costs will likely decline even further as markets mature and companies increasingly take advantage of economies of scale.

In contrast, fossil fuel prices can vary dramatically and are prone to substantial price swings. For example, there was a rapid increase in US coal prices due to rising global demand before 2008, then a rapid fall after 2008 when global demands declined [ 23 ]. Likewise, natural gas prices have fluctuated greatly since 2000 [ 25 ].

Using more renewable energy can lower the prices of and demand for natural gas and coal by increasing competition and diversifying our energy supplies. And an increased reliance on renewable energy can help protect consumers when fossil fuel prices spike. 

Barriers to Renewable Energy Technologies

Reliability and resilience.

 Wind and solar are less prone to large-scale failure because they are distributed and modular. Distributed systems are spread out over a large geographical area, so a severe weather event in one location will not cut off power to an entire region. Modular systems are composed of numerous individual wind turbines or solar arrays. Even if some of the equipment in the system is damaged, the rest can typically continue to operate.

For example, Hurricane Sandy damaged fossil fuel-dominated electric generation and distribution systems in New York and New Jersey and left millions of people without power. In contrast, renewable energy projects in the Northeast weathered Hurricane Sandy with minimal damage or disruption [ 25 ]. 

Water scarcity is another risk for non-renewable power plants. Coal, nuclear, and many natural gas plants depend on having sufficient water for cooling, which means that severe droughts and heat waves can put electricity generation at risk. Wind and solar photovoltaic systems do not require water to generate electricity and can operate reliably in conditions that may otherwise require closing a fossil fuel-powered plant. (For more information, see  How it Works: Water for Electricity .)  

The risk of disruptive events will also increase in the future as droughts, heat waves, more intense storms, and increasingly severe wildfires become more frequent due to global warming—increasing the need for resilient, clean technologies.

References:

[1] Environmental Protection Agency. 2017. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015.

[2] Energy Information Agency (EIA). 2017.  How much of the U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are associated with electricity generation?

[3] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2011.  IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation . Prepared by Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [O. Edenhofer, R. Pichs-Madruga, Y. Sokona, K. Seyboth, P. Matschoss, S. Kadner, T. Zwickel, P. Eickemeier, G. Hansen, S. Schlömer, C. von Stechow (eds)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 1075 pp. (Chapter 9).

[4] Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). 2009.  Clean Power Green Jobs .

[5] National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). 2012.  Renewable Electricity Futures Study . Volume 1, pg. 210.

[6] Epstein, P.R.,J. J. Buonocore, K. Eckerle, M. Hendryx, B. M. Stout III, R. Heinberg, R. W. Clapp, B. May, N. L. Reinhart, M. M. Ahern, S. K. Doshi, and L. Glustrom. 2011. Full cost accounting for the life cycle of coal in “Ecological Economics Reviews.” Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1219: 73–98.

[7]  Renewable Electricity Futures Study . 2012.

[8] NREL. 2016.  Estimating Renewable Energy Economic Potential in the United States: Methodology and Initial Results .

[9]  Renewable Electricity Futures Study . 2012.

IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation . Prepared by Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2011.

UCS. 2009.  Climate 2030: A national blueprint for a clean energy economy .

[10] American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). 2017. AWEA U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report: Year Ending 2016. Washington, D.C.: American Wind Energy Association.

 [11] Wiser, Ryan, and Mark Bolinger. 2017. 2016 Wind Technologies Market Report. U.S. Department of Energy.

[12] The Solar Foundation. 2017. National Solar Jobs Census 2016.

[13] Navigant Consulting. 2009.  Job Creation Opportunities in Hydropower .

[14] Geothermal Energy Association. 2010.  Green Jobs through Geothermal Energy .

[15] UCS. 2009.  Clean Power Green Jobs .

[16] Environmental Protection Agency. 2010.  Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy: A Resource for States . Chapter 5.

[17] UCS. 2009.  Clean Power Green Jobs .

[18] Deyette, J., and B. Freese. 2010.  Burning coal, burning cash: Ranking the states that import the most coal . Cambridge, MA: Union of Concerned Scientists.

[20] SEIA. 2017. Solar Market Insight Report 2017 Q2.

[21] AWEA. 2017. AWEA U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report: Year Ending 2016. Washington, D.C.: American Wind Energy Association.

[22] UCS. 2009.  Clean Power Green Jobs .

[23] UCS. 2011.  A Risky Proposition: The financial hazards of new investments in coal plants .

[24] EIA. 2013.  U.S. Natural Gas Wellhead Price .

[25] Unger, David J. 2012.  Are renewables stormproof? Hurricane Sandy tests solar, wind . The Christian Science Monitor. November 19.

[26] Department of Energy. 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report

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Renewable energy – powering a safer future

Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge – and key to the solution.

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.

Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are by far the largest contributor to global climate change , accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.

The science is clear: 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 – which are available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth – are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air.

Fossil fuels still account for more than 80 percent of global energy production , but cleaner sources of energy are gaining ground. About 29 percent of electricity currently comes from renewable sources.

Here are five reasons why accelerating the transition to clean energy is the pathway to a healthy, livable planet today and for generations to come.

1. Renewable energy sources are all around us

About 80 percent of the global population lives in countries that are net-importers of fossil fuels -- that’s about 6 billion people who are dependent on fossil fuels from other countries, which makes them vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and crises.

In contrast, renewable energy sources are available in all countries, and their potential is yet to be fully harnessed. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 90 percent of the world’s electricity can and should come from renewable energy by 2050.

Renewables offer 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.

2. Renewable energy is cheaper

Renewable energy actually is the cheapest power option in most parts of the world today. 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.

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).

3. Renewable energy is healthier

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.

4. Renewable energy creates jobs

Every dollar of investment in renewables creates three times more jobs than in the fossil fuel industry. 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.

In addition, 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.

Ensuring a just transition , placing the needs and rights of people at the heart of the energy transition, will be paramount to make sure no one is left behind.

5. Renewable energy makes economic sense

About $7 trillion was spent on subsidizing the fossil fuel industry in 2022, including through explicit subsidies, tax breaks, and health and environmental damages that were not priced into the cost of fossil fuels.

In comparison, about $4.5 trillion a year needs to be invested in renewable energy until 2030 – including investments in technology and infrastructure – to allow us to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The upfront cost can be daunting for many countries with limited resources, and many will need financial and technical support to make the transition. But investments in renewable energy will pay off. The reduction of pollution and climate impacts alone could save the world up to $4.2 trillion per year 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.

Learn more about how many communities and countries are realizing the economic, societal, and environmental benefits of renewable energy.

Will developing countries benefit from the renewables boom? Learn more here .

What is renewable energy?

Derived from natural resources that are abundant and continuously replenished, renewable energy is key to a safer, cleaner, and sustainable world. Explore common sources of renewable energy here.

Why invest in renewable energy?

Learn more about the differences between fossil fuels and renewables, the benefits of renewable energy, and how we can act now.

Five ways to jump-start the renewable energy transition now

UN Secretary-General outlines five critical actions the world needs to prioritize now to speed up the global shift to renewable energy.

What is net zero? Why is it important? Our net-zero page explains why we need steep emissions cuts now and what efforts are underway.

• What is climate change?

Our climate 101 offers a quick take on the how and why of climate change. Read more.

How will the world foot the bill? We explain the issues and the value of financing climate action.

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Learn more about how climate change impacts are felt across different sectors and ecosystems.

It’s time to stop burning our planet, and start investing in the abundant renewable energy all around us." ANTÓNIO GUTERRES , United Nations Secretary-General

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A Test for Harris: How to Talk About the Green New Deal

In the Senate, Kamala Harris backed an expansive climate plan. Young activists want her to embrace it again, but so do Republicans.

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By Lisa Friedman

Friedman has been covering the Green New Deal since it was first proposed in Congress.

The last time Vice President Kamala Harris tried to win the White House, she staked out aggressive positions on climate change, calling for a ban on fracking, a tax on carbon pollution and $10 trillion in spending to fight global warming. But one past action stands out as something that could be both an asset to Ms. Harris as well as an albatross.

As a senator in 2019, Ms. Harris cosponsored the Green New Deal, a nonbinding resolution that was centered around the idea that addressing climate change required significant changes in the economy. It called for converting the electric grid to 100 percent clean energy this decade, declared clean air, clean water and healthy food to be basic human rights. But it also endorsed free health care and affordable housing for all Americans.

Different variations of a Green New Deal had been circulating in Europe and in progressive circles in the United States for years before Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, made a first effort to get Congress to endorse the idea. Ms. Harris joined them.

“Climate change is real, and it poses an existential threat to us as human beings, and it is within our power to do something about it,” Ms. Harris told a New Hampshire crowd in 2019 when she was seeking the Democratic nomination for president. “I am supporting the Green New Deal,” she said to thunderous applause.

Republicans framed the Green New Deal as a socialist takeover that would bankrupt the nation. They held a procedural vote in the Senate in March 2019, where it failed 0 to 57, with all Republicans voting against allowing a full vote and 43 Democrats voting “present.”

When Joe Biden became the Democratic nominee in 2020 and tapped Ms. Harris as his running mate, he distanced himself from the Green New Deal. Ms. Harris followed suit.

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Photo Essay Ideas to Take Your Skills Up a Notch

Have you ever wondered how to tell a story through pictures? Or perhaps you've snapped countless photos but aren't sure how to piece them together into a cohesive narrative. Fear not! Our essay writing service is here to guide you through the process step by step, offering plenty of creative and easy photo essay ideas along the way.

You've probably heard the old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. That's exactly the beauty of a photo essay - capturing a moment in time that speaks volumes. So, if you're itching for a creative boost and ready to venture into uncharted territories, look no further! This article brims with photo essay examples and ideas to ignite your creativity and propel you to new heights.

What is a Photo Essay?

A photo essay uses pictures instead of words to tell a story, sharing ideas, experiences, or emotions through carefully chosen photos. Photographers choose images that reveal different aspects of the subject and arrange them to guide the story. These essays cover various topics, such as social issues, cultural traditions, or personal journeys, allowing viewers to see the world from the photographer's perspective.

To aid understanding, photo essays often include captions or short descriptions that provide additional details or convey the photographer's thoughts. By combining images with words, as a photographer, you can communicate your complex photo essay idea in a simple manner.

They can depict anything, from everyday moments to significant global issues, offering a fresh perspective that prompts reflection. Whether showcased in magazines, galleries, or online platforms, photo essays engage audiences of all backgrounds through the compelling language of imagery.

If this sounds too good to pass up, buy essay from our experts and let us take care of your boring school assignments while you dive into this exciting project!

How to Create a Photo Essay with Simple Steps?

Once you understand what a photo essay is, you might wonder how to make one yourself. It's a creative process that starts with choosing a topic or theme you're passionate about. Think about what story you want to tell and what message you want to convey through your photos. Then, gather your equipment—a camera or even just your smartphone—and start capturing images that capture different aspects of your chosen subject.

Next, organize your pictures in a logical photo essay format that guides the viewer through your narrative. Consider the flow of the story and how each image connects to the next. You can use captions or short descriptions to provide context and enhance understanding, just like you've seen in other photo essays. Remember, the goal is to engage your audience and evoke emotions or thoughts through your imagery.

As you create a photo essay, don't be afraid to experiment with different angles, compositions, and lighting to make your photos stand out. And most importantly, once you've poured your heart into it, feel free to share it with the world. Your unique perspective and passion have the power to inspire and move others.

So, if you're all set to move forward and share your powerful story, go ahead and buy essays online . That way, you'll have more time to kick off your storytelling adventure.

Creative Photo Essay Examples to Spice Up Your Skills

Now that you've got the basics covered, let's check out some creative and easy photo essay ideas to inspire and enhance your skills. Looking at these examples can give you tips to use in your own work!

And as we look through them, we notice how the photographers play with composition, lighting, and the order of their photos to tell a captivating story visually. These are perfect photo essay ideas for highschool students or any academic level, firing up your imagination and passion for telling stories through pictures.

And if you're pressed for time on other assignments, buy an essay online - it's an easy yet effective way to meet those deadlines with our expert help!

Day in the Life Photo Essay

Everyone has a story, even if they don't realize it. Some people hesitate to share because they think their lives are dull. But what seems ordinary on the surface can hold unexpected beauty. By taking a step back, we can appreciate the moments more often.

Instead of words, photos can reveal the essence of a person or a place throughout the day. Each image freezes a moment, offering a peek into someone's daily life or a memorable occasion. It's a simple yet powerful way to share a full day's worth of experiences visually.

Graduation Day

We shouldn't miss out on this photo essay project idea for a special occasion like Graduation Day. From the excitement of getting ready in the morning to the celebrations in the evening, every moment is part of the story.

You can start with the anticipation of getting ready in the morning, then capture the proud walk across the stage, and finally, the joyous gatherings with friends and family!

Each photo will capture a unique moment of the day, telling the story of achievement, camaraderie, and celebration. It's a wonderful way to cherish and share life's milestones, one snapshot at a time.

The Art Studio

Take your camera into the art studio and tell the artist's story - it's a lively mix of colors, creativity, and a touch of chaos in every shot. See paintbrushes dance on canvases, sculptures take form from clay blocks, and sketches come alive on paper.

Each photo can reveal the artist's passion, focus, and the magic of bringing imagination to life. Here, ideas flow freely, and every corner sparks new inspiration, leaving you pleasantly intrigued.

Family Photo Essay

From the morning rush to get everyone ready for the day to the chaos of meal times and the quiet moments before bedtime stories, every part of the day tells a story.

So, by capturing different aspects of family life, from the silly antics to the tender moments, you can create a visual narrative of love, laughter, and togetherness. It's a way to preserve the ordinary moments that make family life extraordinary.

From the rush for morning showers to late-night study sessions, you can paint a unique picture with every moment. Imagine the busy energy of students preparing for the day, the bonds in shared spaces, and the calm before lights out.

Each photo would freeze-frame dorm life: the friendships made, the challenges overcome, and the unforgettable moments. Through this journey of college highs and lows, you can display the bonds formed and the growth experienced by students in each picture. If you're intrigued by this idea, buy college essays from our experts. That way, you'll have plenty of time to leisurely capture your dorm life memories.

Photo Essay Books

Each book holds stories, knowledge, and memories. Ever wondered what tales those well-read pages could tell? Or how about the fresh ones, bursting with new adventures? You can zoom in to see the details of worn-out pages and aged spines. Then, step back for wide-angle views of shelves filled with books in every color of the rainbow. With these photos, you can celebrate how special and beautiful books are.

Innovative Learning

Each snapshot here can show a different side of learning. You can tell stories of learning beyond textbooks, encouraging us to rethink education. In one, students could work together at a table, emphasizing teamwork. Another might capture a student experimenting in a lab, showing hands-on learning. And then there's a picture of a teacher using technology, making lessons engaging. These photos would reveal creativity, curiosity, and the joy of discovery.

Digital Photo Essay

The digital world surrounds us every day - from the screens we're glued to, to the gadgets we can't live without, it's everywhere! Through close-up shots of glowing screens and zoomed-out views of bustling cityscapes filled with gadgets, you can capture the essence of our digital age. From social media to online learning, the essay will showcase how technology connects us, entertains us, and empowers us in our modern lives.

Volunteering and Community Service

Why not use your knowledge of your hometown to create a photo essay about volunteering and community service? Imagine volunteers planting trees in a park, serving meals at a homeless shelter, or teaching children after school. These photos can shine a light on the selflessness and generosity that define volunteering, inspiring others to give back to their communities and make a difference in the world.

Art Performances

Art performances are truly something special! Every picture shows the excitement and feeling of the stage, whether it's a ballet dancer gracefully jumping or a musician caught up in their music.

With these photos, you can show how art can inspire, challenge, and bring people together. From plays to street shows, you can share a tale of creativity and dedication, reminding us of the wonderful range of human talent.

Photo Essay about School

As a student, your photos offer a peek into school life. Each one shares a tale of learning, growing, and being part of a community. From the lively hallways to the quiet library spots, we'd see students studying, making friends, and discovering what interests them.

These pictures capture the essence of school—the fun, the challenges, and the successes. Through this photo essay, you can help people see why education matters in shaping our lives and futures.

Mental Health Photo Essay

How about making a photo essay about mental health? Each picture could illustrate what it's like to live with mental illness. Maybe we'll see someone feeling happier outdoors, showing how nature can be comforting. Or perhaps we'll see a group of people chatting and supporting each other, highlighting the importance of connection and empathy.

These photos encourage us to rethink mental health—how can we offer better support to one another? What lessons can we draw from these experiences? Perhaps we'll come to understand that mental health is crucial for everyone.

Historical Traditions

You can also explore our historical traditions, where each picture takes us to a special moment in time, showing rituals, parties, and customs that have been around for a long time. It could be a colorful cultural festival, a serious religious event, or someone carefully making something the old-fashioned way.

These photos could show us where we come from and who we are, making us wonder: What traditions do we have? How do they connect us to our past? Through these historical pictures, you can help us understand how different and unique human cultures are and how important tradition is to us.

The Science Lab

How about taking a look at the science lab with some awesome photos? Each one can teach us something neat about discovery and trying new things. Maybe we'll see a scientist looking through a microscope, finding out secrets about tiny stuff. Or we might see students doing experiments and looking really interested and happy. Looking at these pictures would help us see how science helps us figure things out and make new stuff.

Fashion Photo Essay

In the world of fashion, a lively photo essay can reveal the art, creativity, and variety of the industry. From dazzling runway events to everyday street looks, we see how clothes can express who we are and where we come from.

Whether it's bright colors, detailed patterns, or daring styles, these photos can highlight the countless ways fashion can excite and uplift. This visual adventure would help us see how fashion influences our lives and mirrors the mood of our era.

Green Initiatives

Can you picture a photo essay that focuses on green initiatives and environmental activism? Each picture would show how people are working to protect our planet through community gardens, recycling programs, and renewable energy projects. Maybe we'd see volunteers cleaning up a beach or activists marching for climate change. These pictures encourage us to get involved and remember how crucial it is to take care of the Earth for our kids and grandkids.

Capture Hands

Hands represent connection, creativity, and expression. Each picture in this series could show hands busy with different tasks, like making art, playing music, farming, or helping others. These photos can reveal how diverse human life is and how hands play a big role in shaping it. With this essay, you can honor the beauty and importance of this often-underappreciated part of our bodies.

Local Artists

How about you highlight local artists with an exciting photo essay? Each picture would showcase the skill, love, and imagination of artists in our neighborhoods. Maybe we'd see painters creating in their studios, musicians playing at cozy spots, or sculptors crafting art from scratch. These photos really get to the heart of artistic expression and how artists make our culture richer. Through this visual trip, you can help us see the special ideas and viewpoints that local artists share with us, encouraging us to go back and enjoy what they do.

Street Photography Photo Essay

Imagine an engaging photo essay photography that guides us through the streets of different cities and towns. Each picture gives us a glimpse of daily life, showing the liveliness, variety, and loveliness of city scenes. We might spot busy markets, vibrant street art, brief moments of people connecting, or the peaceful calm of an empty alley. These photos help us understand city life better—its pace, its heartbeats, and the people and tales that fill its streets.

Food Photo Essay

How about we indulge in a delightful photo essay celebrating food? Through this photo essay about food, you can show off delicious dishes from different cultures, whether they're from street vendors or fancy restaurants. You might find yourself craving hot bowls of noodle soup, sizzling skewers straight from the grill, or desserts so gorgeous you hesitate to dig in. Try to bring back memories of sharing meals with loved ones, highlight how food connects us across cultures, and showcase the talents of chefs everywhere.

Religious Traditions

Isn't it fascinating to explore the richness and diversity of religious traditions in a moving photo essay? Each picture can give us a peek into the customs, ceremonies, and symbols that are part of various faiths and spiritual beliefs. You might spot worshippers praying at a mosque, temple, church, or synagogue or taking part in special festivals and parades. You can show how religion influences communities, brings people together, and offers comfort and purpose to believers worldwide.

Construction of a Building

Ever wondered how a building comes to be? It may not sound thrilling, but in a series of photos, each one shows the hard work, machinery, and materials needed to make it happen. You might see workers pouring concrete, putting up steel beams, or fitting in glass windows. These photos reveal the careful planning and teamwork it takes to turn architectural plans into an actual building. Starting from digging the ground to adding the final touches inside, this essay can display the cleverness and skill of the construction world.

Nature Photo Essay

And lastly, don't miss out on discovering the beauty of nature through an amazing photo essay. Show off stunning landscapes, different ecosystems, and intricate patterns you can find in nature. You might spot big mountains, calm forests, colorful coral reefs, or blooming flowers. Through this series, remind us how strong and fragile our Earth is, and why it's crucial to take care of it. Whether it's a massive waterfall or the graceful flutter of butterflies, this essay can celebrate nature and motivate us to treasure and look after our planet.

The Final Wrap

As we wrap up our article, let's take a moment to reflect on the power of visual storytelling. These photo essay ideas have the power to convey stories of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Whether capturing the hustle and bustle of construction or the peaceful beauty of a sunset, you can share various narratives through each image.

Ultimately, it's about how we see the world. Use these photo essay examples to find beauty in unexpected places and learn new things about life. And remember, if you need it, you can always buy college essay . In your free time, commit to embracing those special moments that make life extraordinary!

Frequently asked questions

What makes a good photo essay, how to start a photo essay, how many photos in a photo essay.

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How does Budget 2024 address climate change?

From prioritising energy security to allocations for flood management, the 2024 union budget takes steps to address climate concerns. but does it do enough.

However, on most other counts, the budget overlooked the environment. Some experts said that it will remain to be seen how much policy is translated into action; others called it a “lack-lustre” budget that “wants [for] imagination”.

Climate and farming, floods, finance

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday presented the third NDA government’s union budget for the year 2024-25 on July 23 in Parliament. Sitharaman listed nine priorities for the government’s latest budget. 

Of particular interest with respect to the environment, climate and energy were two priorities: the first priority, “productivity and resilience in agriculture”, which included some measures to improve farming and farmer welfare, including the development of climate-resilient crops; and the sixth priority, “energy security”.

Talking about the first priority, “productivity and resilience in agriculture”, Sitharaman announced that one crore farmers will be introduced to natural farming over the next two years. Ten thousand “need-based bio-resource centres” will also be established.

The union government will complete the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh which is a “lifeline” for farmers, Sitharaman said. The government will also release 109 climate-resilient varieties of crops for farmers to grow. This will include 32 field and horticultural crop varieties, announced Sitharaman. 

However, integrating hyper-granular risk assessment and profile into developing these climate-resilient varieties would be “very important to make this successful as a first step”, said Abinash Mohanty, Sector Head Climate Change and Sustainability, IPE Global .

“While we develop these resilient varieties we need to understand the hazard risk and vulnerability at a hyper-granular scale…because when you develop these varieties you bring them to the field assuming that there is a singular event which is going to impact it, such as a flood. But the climate risk landscape is also changing…So even if you have a resilient variety you may end up managing a flood-resistant variety during a drought,” Mohanty clarified.

For the Crop Insurance Scheme —which becomes crucial for farmers in this time of climate change—the latest budget has allocated Rs. 14,600 crores, up from Rs. 13,625 crores from last year’s estimates (which were later revised to Rs. 15,000 crores).

Bihar got the lion’s share when it came to flood management: Sitharaman announced several plans through accelerated irrigation projects worth Rs. 11,500 crore including intra-state schemes such as building of new barrages in the state, projects dealing with river pollution and more.

The other states that found mention here were Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand. However, apart from a generic statement to the note of “we will provide assistance”, the Finance Minister did not give any other specific details for many of these states.

A taxonomy for climate finance 

The government will develop a “taxonomy for climate finance” to enhance the availability of capital for climate adaptation and mitigation, “which will support India’s climate commitments and green transition”, Sitharaman said.

Such a taxonomy of climate finance is important because there has to be a clear segregation between developmental finance and climate finance, Mohanty told  The Wire . 

“In order to boost our climate action, we need money and that money has to be from public, private and international funding. In order to have that blending of all this…we need to have a home-grown taxonomy on climate finance because anything and everything cannot be climate finance,” Mohanty said.

Mohanty added that a net zero target has also been committed and to achieve it it has to be ensured that just transition happens.

“And for that we need more financing. At the central level, our climate conversations may be very good but translating them to levels below such as sub-national or district levels, where the real action begins, we need to have a clear cut mandate,” said Mohanty.

A taxonomy of climate finance, he said, would enable this.

However, the budget “lacks focus on improving climate data and information infrastructure and making it more people-centric, especially when India is losing millions in loss and damage due to climate extremes”, Mohanty said.

“The budget also fails to make cooling appliances affordable, available and accessible. The budget’s impetus on start-up ecosystems aligns with its promise of being a “vishwa guru” by becoming the climate solutions capital to the world, but the devil lies in the detail,” he added.

Energy security and role of private players

Energy security also was part of the list of main priorities in the budget this time, the sixth of the nine priorities “to generate opportunities for all” as announced by Sitharaman. But instead of a push for renewable energy however, nuclear energy found a fillip this time.

The latest budget allocates Rs. 2,228 crores for nuclear power projects.

“Nuclear energy is expected to form a very significant part of the energy mix for Viksit Bharat. Towards that pursuit, our government will partner with the private sector for (1) setting up Bharat Small Reactors, (2) research & development of Bharat Small Modular Reactor, and (3) research & development of newer technologies for nuclear energy,” Sitharaman announced in her speech. As per her speech, the research and development funding announced in the interim budget will be made available for this sector.

Under the outlay of major schemes, the latest budget allocates Rs. 2,228 crores for nuclear power projects across the country – a rise from the budget estimates of Rs. 442 crores in 2023-24 that were further revised to Rs. 1,791 crores the same year.

“The budget has focussed on development of small nuclear reactors. While India needs to diversify its energy sources, the viability of such projects is still questionable,” Vibhuti Garg, Director, South Asia at Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) told  The Wire .

Such projects are expensive, the availability of fuel is a big issue and then there is the safety issue too, she clarified.

“India needs to increase its R&D spending across the value chain from renewable energy deployment to mining and extracting of minerals to circular economy,” she added. 

The role of private players is also set to increase in India’s nuclear energy sector. In February this year, there was talk of the government inviting private firms to invest about USD 26 billion in the nuclear energy sector in the country to increase the amount of electricity from sources that don’t produce carbon dioxide emissions,  reported   Reuters .

The government is in talks with at least five private firms including Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power and Vedanta Ltd to invest around Rs. 440 billion each,  Reuters  reported two unnamed sources as saying.

In her budget speech, Sitharaman also mentioned that the development of indigenous technology for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal power plants “with much higher efficiency” has been completed. 

“A joint venture between NTPC and BHEL will set up a full scale 800 MW commercial plant using AUSC technology. The government will provide the required fiscal support. Moving forward, development of indigenous capacity for the production of high-grade steel and other advanced metallurgy materials for these plants will result in strong spin-off benefits for the economy,” the Finance Minister said.

However, the efficiency of AUSC thermal power plants is not really that much higher. According to the  Ministry of Heavy Industries , AUSC technology-based thermal power plants will yield an efficiency of 46 percent, versus an efficiency of around 38 per cent that subcritical plants provide, and around 41- 42 percent that supercritical plants provide. However, the AUSC thermal power plants will also reduce coal consumption, and therefore, carbon emissions by about 11 per cent as compared to supercritical plants, per the Ministry.

Among the many infra projects that Bihar will obtain, are also power projects including a 2,400 MW project at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur district worth Rs. 21,400 crore, Sitharaman announced in her budget speech. This power plant has been in the works for a few years, and has been revived again: in February this year, the Bihar govt gave a fresh approval for the plant,  Times of India   reported .

However, this is yet another coal-based power plant in India’s kitty, at a time when the country has pledged to cut down on its carbon emissions as per its Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to the United Nations.

The government will set up a Critical Minerals Mission whose mandate will include an extended producer responsibility framework as well. The auction of the first transfer of off-shore blocks already carried out will also occur, Sitharaman announced.

Critical minerals such as lithium and other rare earth minerals are “critical” for several industries including renewable energy, said Sitharaman. The government would “fully exempt customs duties” on 25 such minerals and reduce the BCD on two of them, she said.

Energy transitions and renewables 

“We will bring out a policy document on appropriate energy transition pathways that balances the imperatives of employment, growth and environmental sustainability,” Sitharaman announced while unveiling the budget on July 23.

“Energy transition is critical in the fight against climate change,” she added. To support the energy transition, the government proposes to expand the list of exempted capital goods used in the manufacture of solar cells and panels in India, she said.

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana , launched to install rooftop solar plants, will enable one crore households to obtain free electricity up to 300 units every month, the Finance Minister said.

“The scheme has generated remarkable response with more than 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications, and we will further encourage it,” Sitharaman added.

The budget allocation for the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme has also increased from Rs. 20 crores (from last year’s revised estimates) to Rs. 1,300 crores in the latest budget. 

In her speech, Sitharaman said that a policy to promote pumped storage projects will be implemented for electricity storage and to facilitate the “smooth integration of the growing share of renewable energy with its variable and intermittent nature in the overall energy mix”.

This policy has been in the offing for long, commented Garg. 

“India is witnessing a decrease in battery storage costs but their deployment has been limited as the commercial viability for plain vanilla battery projects is still an issue,” she added.

“When coupled with Renewable Energy projects, we are seeing the price of such blended projects now competing with fossil fuel projects. The industry was expecting cuts in duties and also some more PLI [production-linked incentive] support which can unlock private capital. While there is a specific obligation of storage projects by discoms, we need to see policies actually translating into reality.”

The budget allocation for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage this year is Rs. 250 crore: a rise from an allocation of just Rs. 1 crore for 2023-24, which was revised to Rs. 12 crore that year.

“Lacklustre” budget, “wanting imagination”

The government will partner with states and promote aspects including solid waste management projects for 100 large cities, including the use of treated water for irrigation. Sitharaman announced this, and the government facilitating the development of “cities as growth hubs”, under Priority #5, Urban Development, in her budget speech. This will also include the “orderly development” of peri-urban areas. 

“Wasn’t that always the case—Growth Engines? Smart Cities? Have we forgotten?” asked Arvind Unni, Member of the Shehri Rashtriya Andolankari Manch (SHRAM) and the National Forum of Urban Struggles – NAPM (National Alliance for People’s Movement).

What is “shameful” is “how our imagination of cities is still stuck on ‘growth’, he added.

The budget misses key sectors like women, workers, urban poor, climate action and cities.

“How can we forget that our cities are the worst affected by pollution, heat waves, floods and other climate impacts? We needed a fresh approach to urban discourse, and now,” Unni told  The Wire . 

“The Modi 3.0 Union Budget 2024 is lacklustre, without any strong pushes for cities and sustainable development. It wants imagination and policy innovation,” Unni commented.

“Overall, it is a very politically-motivated budget; it is directed at stabilizing the government’s allies with packages for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, and limited attention to needs in cities and the working class. It also misses key sectors like women, workers, urban poor, climate action and cities,” he added.

More projects pushing for river-interlinking may be in the works. For the interlinking of rivers, which is a centrally-sponsored scheme, the government earmarked Rs.3,500 crores in 2023-24, revised it to Rs.1,400 crores. This year, the government has budgeted an estimate of Rs.4,000 crores for the project.

Currently, the first river-interlinking project is underway in Madhya Pradesh, where the Ken and Betwa rivers will be linked on the borders of the state with Uttar Pradesh in the Bundelkhand region. Environmentally and ecologically, the project will be a disaster, experts have warned.

Interestingly, the budget allocation for the National Tiger Conservation Authority—which oversees and implements not just Project Tiger but Project Cheetah too—is Rs. 35 crores this year, versus Rs. 11 crores last year that was revised to Rs. 15 crores.

The Wildlife Institute of India—which is also part of Project Cheetah—has also received a higher budgetary allocation of Rs. 43 crores this time (versus Rs. 36.5 crores last year which was revised to Rs. 41.2 crores). The Pollution Control Board Rs. 113 crores (higher than last time); and the National Green Tribunal, Rs. 53 crores.

Meanwhile, union environment minister Bhupender Yadav called this year’s budget a “futuristic budget”, that “lays the firm foundation for building Viksit Bharat where growth is green and inclusive”.

“The Union Budget 2024–25 adds energy to India’s efforts to emerge as a developed nation by ushering in a new era of employment and opportunities for all sections of society—youth, farmers, women and poor,” Yadav  tweeted  on X, formerly Twitter. 

This article was originally published on The Wire .

Tackling climate-change driven challenges found mention in the Union Budget 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23. The budget pushes for energy security in several ways including […]

Aathira Perinchery is an independent journalist based in Kerala, India. She is a trained wildlife biologist who later took up science journalism. She has worked as a science writer with the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, and is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. Athira currently writes about wildlife, communities, and conservation for several online and print news houses including The Hindu, The Wire, and Mongabay-India. She also teaches an annual course on writing about conservation.

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How the U.S. should be more strategic about engaging with Latin America

The region is rich in natural resources and energy that align with u.s. interests..

By Tom Tribone

1:30 AM on Aug 5, 2024 CDT

The widely denounced recent election in Venezuela should not deter us from recognizing the strategic potential of closer U.S.-Latin America integration. The fact that several Latin American countries have already rejected the Venezuelan election results indicates the time might be ripe for closer ties between Latin America and the U.S. A few radical regimes like Venezuela should not hinder our pursuit of a stronger relationship between the North and South of the Western Hemisphere.

The regions of the Western hemisphere complement each other nicely with respect to energy, natural resources and supply chains, and most of them have a commitment to democracy. Such a policy should be able to garner bipartisan support.

Since the successful completion of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement , there has been very little effort to integrate the hemisphere. Latin America has been mostly out-of-sight-out-of-mind since then, except when there are immigration surges at the southern border.

It’s both inevitable and proper that the geopolitical hotspots get most of the attention. I lead a global energy and infrastructure company, and we observe significantly more interest in developments in India, China and the Middle East compared to Latin America.

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Just in the last year, there have been more news stories in the American media covering China, India and the Middle East than Latin America. We shouldn’t let these important regions crowd out our strategic thinking about the opportunities for America here in our hemisphere.

Energy abundance

As an example, consider artificial intelligence. In a few years artificial intelligence went from the capabilities of an intelligent child to being able to do much better on the medical school entrance exam than most of our brightest college students. The time between each advance is shrinking exponentially, and many experts see the ultimate goal of artificial general intelligence, AGI, arriving within 10 years.

We cannot let China attain AGI before us; the national security implications alone are profound. The U.S. is currently at the technological frontier, but there is a bottleneck threatening our leadership position — lack of power grid capacity to handle the enormous data center energy consumption that achieving AGI will require.

Enter Latin America with its energy abundance, much of which is renewable. Brazil has the highest percentage of renewable energy of any major country, with 93% of its power generation coming from renewable sources. It has a sprawling renewable ethanol industry to the point where 70% of its cars use locally produced, renewable ethanol. By contrast, r enewables generate about 20% of all U.S. electricity. U.S. cars use 10% ethanol. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay have built several of the largest and least-cost renewable energy plants in the world as binational projects.

An additional energy consideration is that battery energy storage is absolutely essential to increase our use of renewable energy. Lithium is the critical raw material in batteries, and the world’s largest deposits are in South America. The “Lithium Triangle” of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile has over 49 million tons of lithium reserves, compared with 7 million tons in the U.S.

Although the region’s endowment of low-cost renewable hydroelectricity is a major advantage, like any energy system, it does have a downside. Hydroelectric systems can suffer periodic drought-related shortages, usually associated with the El Niño weather effect. In fact, El Niño and climate change are driving energy shortages in some countries right now. The U.S. could help to mitigate these effects with its world-leading expertise in systems engineering management, diversification and grid interconnection, which would allow power to be more effectively moved across borders from surplus countries to those with a shortage. For Instance, Georgia Tech, widely recognized as having the best systems engineering department in the world, has collaborated with the Brazilian system operator to optimize their system.

In the energy area alone it’s easy to envision how North and South working together could mitigate the most significant limiting factor in achieving AGI by having U.S. firms locate their trillion-dollar AGI data centers in energy-rich South America.

Of course, the region has its share of well-known challenges, such as drug trafficking, illegal destruction of the rainforest and corruption. These are not simple problems to solve, but the U.S. has continued to provide valuable aid and assistance with these issues. Irrespective of which party wins the White House we should continue this assistance with vigor, stepped-up cooperation and hopefully some fresh ideas. All of these issues will tend to improve with increased North-South cooperation and its attendant economic growth and incentives.

Renewing integration efforts

Continuing with the example of the massive energy and financial resources needed to achieve AGI, no one is going to invest a trillion dollars in physical infrastructure without strong political and commercial infrastructure between North and South in place. This idea isn’t new and was the basis for the gradual, voluntary effort that led to the creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas and its accompanying charter.

The goal was to emulate the EU’s success in integrating previously challenging countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece into a mutually beneficial European community. However, Latin America is a much larger, more complex, and independently minded group of nations. North America could never hope to finance or direct the integration process to the same extent as in Europe. Although there were some notable gains, this effort has stalled and even regressed in recent decades.

The current global landscape, marked by profound and monumental changes, warrants bipartisan reconsideration and renewal of efforts to achieve greater integration among the countries of the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. and the broader West face challenges worldwide, and geopolitical tectonic plates are shifting. A more integrated Western Hemisphere could enhance geopolitical stability, economic dynamism, and access to natural resources while shortening global supply chains.

Washington might now consider adopting a strategy addressing geopolitical and foreign policy concerns, that enhances economic prospects, preserves access to key natural resources, and shortens supply chains. It should also foster local alliances, bolster stability and democracy, and control crime and immigration.

Tom Tribone is the CEO of Franklin Park Infrastructure and chairman of the Great Lakes Energy Institute.

Part of our series The Unraveling of Latin America . This essay advocates for the re-engagement with the region, rich in energy sources as a strategic goal for the United States.

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here . If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at [email protected]

Tom Tribone

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Experimental validation of a modular all-electric power take-off topology for wave energy converter enabling marine renewable energy interconnection.

1. Introduction

2. configuration of the studied point-absorber wave energy converter and its power take-off system, 2.1. description of the studied point-absorber wec and its mechanical layout, 2.2. structure of the proposed direct drive power take-off system, 3. experimental prototype development of the proposed pto, 4. simulation and experimental performance assessment, 4.1. simulation analysis of the proposed pto and its controls, 4.2. experimental results, 5. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, conflicts of interest.

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Nademi, H.; Galindez, B.J.; Ross, M.; Lopez, M. Experimental Validation of a Modular All-Electric Power Take-Off Topology for Wave Energy Converter Enabling Marine Renewable Energy Interconnection. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024 , 12 , 1323. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081323

Nademi H, Galindez BJ, Ross M, Lopez M. Experimental Validation of a Modular All-Electric Power Take-Off Topology for Wave Energy Converter Enabling Marine Renewable Energy Interconnection. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering . 2024; 12(8):1323. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081323

Nademi, Hamed, Brent Joel Galindez, Michael Ross, and Miguel Lopez. 2024. "Experimental Validation of a Modular All-Electric Power Take-Off Topology for Wave Energy Converter Enabling Marine Renewable Energy Interconnection" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 12, no. 8: 1323. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081323

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