Saturday, June 4, 2016

Renewable Energy: Why It Is Good For The Environment

RENEWABLE ENERGY
Image Credit:  Pixabay



What comes naturally good with organic farming and other natural alternatives is the use of renewable energy. Renewable energy is produced from sources that are naturally replenished such as wind, sunlight, water, and geothermal heat. Thus, we see wind turbines, solar PV panels, hydroelectric plants, and geothermal plants.  These are mostly used to generate electricity for widespread distribution.  Use of renewable energy and organic farming have the same goal, namely:  care of the environment and sustainable development.


Renewable energy trends

The International Energy Agency (IEA) mentioned in October 2015 that renewable energy will represent the largest single source of electricity growth over the next five years. It said that renewable electricity additions over the next five years will exceed 700 gigawatts, accounting for almost two-thirds of net additions to global power capacity.  It further reported that the share of renewable energy in global power generation rising over 26% by 2020 from 22% in 2013.

The report also mentioned that use of renewable energy will increasingly shift to emerging economies and developing countries.  IEA also indicated that wind and solar PV panels will represent nearly half of total global power capacity increase.

Impact of renewable energy

Coming from natural sources, renewable energy is clean unlike energy produced from fossil fuels which pollutes the environment.  Pollutants coming from coal-fired and oil-fired power plants harm not only the environment but also the health and livelihood of the people in nearby communities.

Renewable energy is also beneficial to off-grid locations or communities that cannot be served by the main electricity transmission lines.  Technology improvements in renewable energy production and storage have reduced its costs such that people living in the mountains or far-flung areas can use solar PV panels for home electricity.  These can be used also in remote farms and fishponds.

Renewable energy creates positive environmental, social, and economic impact.


Renewable energy and sustainable development

Use of renewable energy contributes significantly to sustainable development.  Governments particularly of developing countries can pursue development goals like improving industry and agriculture to generate income and employment for the people without the harmful effects of electricity production from fossil-fueled plants by using renewable energy from natural sources.

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The author is the managing consultant of Gentle Wisdom Management Consultancy and also writes blogs about business and marketing management.