Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology
Question
Asked 11th Sep, 2023
Is renewable energy the answer to climate change and why renewable energy is important for the future?
Is renewable energy the answer to climate change and why renewable energy is important for the future?
Most recent answer
Renewable energy differs from fossil fuels principally in their diversity, abundance and potential for use anywhere on the planet, but above all in that they produce neither greenhouse gases which cause climate change nor polluting emissions. Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, as, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us. Renewable energy is widely viewed as playing a central role in climate change mitigation and a clean energy transition. Most kinds of renewable energy are also “carbon-free”: they do not emit CO2 or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Supporting rural development: Renewable energy technologies can support rural development by providing access to energy to rural communities, which can help to improve quality of life, increase agricultural productivity and stimulate economic growth. Future changes are expected to include a warmer atmosphere, a warmer and more acidic ocean, higher sea levels, and larger changes in precipitation patterns. The extent of future climate change depends on what we do now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The more we emit the larger future changes will be. As the climate warms, Americans are expected to use more energy, mostly electricity, for cooling. This higher demand will also increase the chance of blackouts or other power disruptions. As the climate warms, Americans are expected to use more energy, mostly electricity, for cooling. This higher demand will also increase the chance of blackouts or other power disruptions. However, renewable excluding hydroelectricity will contribute only 5-6% in India's energy mix by 2031-32 (Planning Commission). India has an enormous potential for renewable energy across the various sources and greater reliance on renewable energy sources offers enormous economic, social, and environmental benefits. Most of our energy comes from fossil fuels today. When we burn fossil fuels for energy, carbon dioxide is released, leading to accumulation of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and climate change. By switching to renewable energy, we can reduce our carbon footprint by up to 2.5 tons annually. Renewable and energy efficiency, boosted by substantial electrification, can provide over 90% of the necessary reductions in energy-related carbon emissions.
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University of Gambia
Renewable energy is this answer to climate change because it produces zero greenhouse carbon pollutant emission to the environment.
Renewable energy is a critical component of efforts to mitigate climate change and transition to a more sustainable energy future. While it may not be the sole answer to climate change, it plays a central role for several important reasons:
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) which is a primary driver of climate change. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, produce electricity with little to no direct emissions of greenhouse gases. By transitioning to renewables, we can significantly reduce emissions.
- Sustainable Energy Supply:Renewable energy sources are, by definition, sustainable and inexhaustible. They do not deplete natural resources over time, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. This ensures a long-term and stable energy supply for future generations.
- Air Quality Improvement:Burning fossil fuels for energy not only contributes to climate change but also leads to air pollution, which has adverse effects on human health. Shifting to renewables can improve air quality and reduce health-related issues.
- Energy Security and Independence:Relying on renewable energy sources can enhance energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, which are subject to price volatility and geopolitical tensions. Countries can become more self-reliant and resilient through the use of indigenous renewable resources.
- Technological Advancements and Job Creation:The renewable energy sector has experienced rapid technological advancements and innovation, leading to cost reductions and increased efficiency. This growth also creates jobs and economic opportunities in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research and development.
- Diversification of Energy Mix:A diverse energy mix that includes renewables makes energy systems more robust and less vulnerable to supply disruptions. It also provides flexibility and reliability in meeting energy demands.
- Environmental Conservation:Many renewable energy technologies have lower environmental impacts compared to fossil fuel extraction and use. For example, wind and solar farms have a relatively small physical footprint and can coexist with agriculture or natural landscapes.
- Adaptation to Climate Change:Renewable energy sources can contribute to climate change adaptation by providing resilient and decentralized energy systems. In some cases, renewables combined with energy storage can enhance resilience against extreme weather events and power outages.
- Global Cooperation:The transition to renewable energy is a global effort that promotes cooperation among nations to address climate change collectively. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, emphasize the importance of renewable energy adoption.
While renewable energy is crucial for the future, it is important to recognize that a holistic approach to climate change mitigation involves not only transitioning to renewables but also improving energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and addressing other sectors like transportation and industry. Combining multiple strategies and technologies is necessary to achieve the deep emissions reductions needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change effectively.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology
Renewable energy differs from fossil fuels principally in their diversity, abundance and potential for use anywhere on the planet, but above all in that they produce neither greenhouse gases which cause climate change nor polluting emissions. Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, as, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us. Renewable energy is widely viewed as playing a central role in climate change mitigation and a clean energy transition. Most kinds of renewable energy are also “carbon-free”: they do not emit CO2 or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Supporting rural development: Renewable energy technologies can support rural development by providing access to energy to rural communities, which can help to improve quality of life, increase agricultural productivity and stimulate economic growth. Future changes are expected to include a warmer atmosphere, a warmer and more acidic ocean, higher sea levels, and larger changes in precipitation patterns. The extent of future climate change depends on what we do now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The more we emit the larger future changes will be. As the climate warms, Americans are expected to use more energy, mostly electricity, for cooling. This higher demand will also increase the chance of blackouts or other power disruptions. As the climate warms, Americans are expected to use more energy, mostly electricity, for cooling. This higher demand will also increase the chance of blackouts or other power disruptions. However, renewable excluding hydroelectricity will contribute only 5-6% in India's energy mix by 2031-32 (Planning Commission). India has an enormous potential for renewable energy across the various sources and greater reliance on renewable energy sources offers enormous economic, social, and environmental benefits. Most of our energy comes from fossil fuels today. When we burn fossil fuels for energy, carbon dioxide is released, leading to accumulation of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and climate change. By switching to renewable energy, we can reduce our carbon footprint by up to 2.5 tons annually. Renewable and energy efficiency, boosted by substantial electrification, can provide over 90% of the necessary reductions in energy-related carbon emissions.
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Similar questions and discussions
Why would ocean levels rise when Antarctica melts?
I do not doubt climate change and the disasters that come and will come from it ( ). However, one thing puzzles me: why would melting ice lead to rising ocean water levels? Plain high-school physics tell us it would not: see, for example: https://lnkd.in/d78U9S_f.
Of course, there is another physical thing we've all learnt in high school: warmer substances have a larger volume than cold substances. However, we also know the volume expansion coefficient of water is very tiny: only 210 parts on a million per degree Celsius (https://lnkd.in/e65sxJ5a). Oceans are 3.8 km deep (on average) but span millions of km2, so that can explain a few cm only - at best. Also, studies on rising sea levels in coastal cities show these cities tend to sink. So they need better shore protection but it has got nothing to do with rising ocean levels, it would seem.
Any thoughts, anyone? [Again, I am not a climate change denier. See my rant against John Clauser, for example: https://readingfeynman.org/2023/09/04/another-tainted-nobel-prize/.]
