The world uses many different energy sources. In 2018, fossil fuels, like gas, oil and coal, comprised more than 81 percent of energy consumed. Renewable energy sources like solar power, wind power biomass, hydroelectricity, and biomass make up 14 percent. Nuclear energy accounts for another 5 percent. Different countries utilize different energy sources to balance the needs of their economy and environmental concerns.
Nature’s energy comes in many forms: sun, wind, waves and ocean. When harnessed and converted into more convenient forms of energy, like heat or electricity, they are called primary sources. Once these energies are exhausted, they are non-renewable energy sources.
Many fossil fuels as well as some of the other nonrenewable energy sources are damaging the environment. For instance, oil mining can devastate the forests that are virgin to the earth. Fracking (hydraulic fracture) can lead to water pollution and earthquakes. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burnt which causes global warming.
Fortunately, a lot of the most promising sources of energy are renewable and sustainable. Solar, wind and hydropower can create, for instance, electricity without digging up new sources.
Tidal and Wave Power are two other renewable energy sources that are emerging. However, to be utilized in a large-scale manner these technologies require efficient distribution networks. This requires the use of non-renewable energies to build these networks. These sources aren’t sufficient to fulfill the majority of our energy requirements. It is important to keep in mind that the cost of renewable energy equipment have drastically decreased in recent years and efficiency is growing.