The World Uses a Variety of Different Energy Sources

The world has a wide range of different sources of energy. Fossil fuels, including oil, natural gas and coal–accounted to more than 81 percent of all energy consumed in the year 2018. Renewables, including solar power, wind power biomass and hydroelectricity, account for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is 5 percent. Different countries use various energy sources, while balancing the needs of the economy with environmental concerns.

Nature provides energy in a number of forms, including sunlight, wind, waves, oceans, and more. These description primary sources are transformed into more convenient forms of energy, like electricity or heat, when they are harnessed. These sources of energy become non-renewable sources of energy when they are exhausted.

The environment is damaged by many fossil fuels, and also other sources of energy that are not renewable. For instance, oil mining can devastate the forest ecosystems of the planet. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) can lead to water pollution and earthquakes. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.

Fortunately some of the most promising sources of energy are renewable and sustainable. Wind, solar and hydropower could generate, for instance electricity without digging up new sources.

Other renewable energy sources are gaining momentum, such as wave power and tidal energy. But, in order to be utilized on a massive scale, these technologies must have efficient distribution networks. These must be built, which requires the use of non-renewable energy sources. These sources aren’t enough to provide the majority of our energy requirements. It’s still important to remember that the cost of renewable energy equipment have decreased dramatically in recent times and the efficiency is rising.