The World Uses a Variety of Different Energy Sources
The world uses many different energy sources. Fossil fuels — including natural gas, oil and coal–accounted for more than 81 percent of all energy consumed in the year 2018. Renewables such as solar energy, wind power biomass, hydroelectricity and biomass are responsible for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is responsible for another five percent. Different countries use different combinations of energy sources, and are able to balance environmental and economic requirements.
Nature is a rich source of energy in many forms, including sunlight as well as wind, waves oceans, and more. These sources of energy are transformed into more convenient energy forms, such as electricity or heat, when they are harnessed. These energies become non-renewable sources of energy once they have been exhausted.
The environment is harmed by a variety of fossil fuels as well as some other non-renewable sources of energy. Oil mining, for example can devastate the forest ecosystems of the planet. Fracking (hydraulic fracture) can cause water pollution and earthquakes. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.
Fortunately some of the most promising sources of energy are sustainable and renewable. Hydropower, solar power and wind for instance, could generate electricity without having to search for new resources.
Other sustainable energy sources are emerging, including waves and tidal power. However, in order to be used at a large scale, these technologies must have efficient distribution networks. They need to be constructed and operate with the use of non-renewable energy. This means that these sources are not yet enough to supply the majority of our energy requirements. But it’s important keep in mind that prices for renewable energy equipment have decreased significantly over the last few years, and efficiency is growing quickly.