The World Uses a Variety of Different Energy Sources

The world relies on a variety of energy sources. Fossil fuels–including natural gas, oil, and coal accounted for more than 81 percent of all energy consumed in 2018. Renewables such as wind power, solar energy biomass, hydroelectricity and biomass are responsible for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is another 5 percent. Different countries employ different sources of energy to meet environmental and economic requirements.

Energy is present in nature in many forms: sunlight as well as wind, waves ocean and more. When harnessed and transformed into more practical forms of energy, such as heat or electricity, these are known as primary sources. These energy sources become non-renewable sources of energy when they are exhausted.

A lot of fossil fuels and a few of the other nonrenewable energy sources have been causing environmental harm. Oil mining, for instance is a destructive process that can destroy the forests that are virgin to the earth. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) could cause earthquakes and water pollution. The burning of coal releases carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.

Fortunately, some of the most promising sources of energy are renewable and sustainable. Hydropower, solar power and wind for instance, are able to produce electricity without having to search for new sources.

Other renewable energy sources are emerging, such as wave power and tidal energy. To be utilized on an enormous scale, these technologies need to have effective distribution networks. This requires the use of non-renewable energy sources to construct these networks. In the end, these sources aren’t able to provide the bulk of our energy requirements. However, it’s important to keep in mind that costs for renewable energy-related equipment have fallen significantly over the last few years, and the efficiency is rising rapidly.

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