The need to supply clean energy

We have been talking for quite some time about global warming, limiting our dependence on fossil fuels and the need to develop and implement power generation plants from renewable sources, that is, for a long time we have known the need to implement a new energy model with low or zero emissions.

Source: Wikimedia.org.

But despite the fact that the benefits of implementing a carbon-free electricity system have been well publicized by the scientific community and international organizations, and there are several renewable energy sources that have been developed to achieve the decarbonization of the electricity system, including solar, wind, hydro and tidal energy, we really seem to be focused on getting rid of as much oil and gas as possible before increasing energy production from these clean sources, and it even seems that the best option before resorting to these sources is nuclear energy.

The benefits of renewable energies are diverse, and all of them are a great help to combat climate change and curb global warming, among them we can mention:

• They do not generate CO₂ emissions or other greenhouse gases.
• They do not pollute the environment where they are used.
• They reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
• They are sustainable.

Source: Wikimedia.org.

For example, the sun, tides and wind are practically inexhaustible sources of energy and at least some of them must be available in many countries, which would allow us to generate the conditions to not have to worry about running out of raw materials for the energy system for a long time, or if the lack of balance between world economies affects the supply of energy or increases its price.

That is why it is contradictory that many countries where climatic conditions are highly favorable to develop some type of renewable energy are not making enough efforts to move in this direction but rather the consumption of fossil fuels continues to increase, generating the conditions to increase our dependence on them, such as subsidies to prevent the increase of these fuels in consumers.

On the other hand, we energy users must begin to make a more rational use of energy, since no commitment to renewable energy sources will be successful if we do not seek a reduction in global energy consumption, although there have been great advances in the use of low-consumption devices and luminaires, our consumption pattern is still unsustainable, it is easy to see how many electronic devices and equipment are left on for hours without use, or how a large part of the lighting in cities is lost in the sky due to poor projection of the same, which also generates light pollution that prevents us from seeing the stars in the night sky. That is why we also need to implement more effective and efficient energy saving measures, covering all sectors of society.

Source: Wikimedia.org.

And how can we contribute to energy savings?

• Taking advantage of natural light as much as possible
• Use energy-saving light bulbs instead of conventional ones.
• Prefer energy-saving appliances.
• Unplugging electronic equipment that is not being used.
• Use the car as efficiently as possible, preferring public transport as much as possible.
  No matter how much we can do to reduce our energy consumption, no matter how small, every action counts in reducing the carbon footprint of our homes.

And renewable energies should definitely be given the importance they have, they are clean, sustainable and practically inexhaustible sources of energy, and they are becoming more and more competitive, while the general trend of fossil fuels is upward, especially when there are international tensions and conflicts.

That is why the development of renewable energies is essential if we want to combat climate change and curb global warming and its devastating effects, the average temperature of the planet in recent years has been approximately 1.2 °C above the pre-industrial level, so we are very close to not being able to meet the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C by the end of the century, as established in the Paris Agreement.

Well friends, renewable energies are the ally we need against climate change and the best solution against environmental degradation. Let us hope that soon the international pressure to decarbonize the electricity system will bear fruit and we will stop the race to squeeze every last drop of oil out of the earth.

Thank you for reading