6.4 Overall Benefits of Renewable Energy
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6.4 Overall Benefits of Renewable Energy
First, renewable energy is mainly perceived as eco-friendly. As a clean source of
energy, it has zero greenhouse emissions. Fossil fuels release large proportions
of greenhouse gas which cause climate change, global warming, and degradation
of air quality (Panwar et al. 2011). Fossil fuels also tend to contribute to the
emission of sulfur in the atmosphere, which causes acid rain. As such, the use
of renewable sources of energy is mainly detrimental to the reduction of air
pollution.
Second, renewable energy sources are renewable, thus implying that they do not
get depleted. Energy sources like fossil fuels are perceived as limited resources, and
there is a high likelihood that they may deplete in the future. As such, renewable
energy could aid developing states from over-dependence on fossil fuels (Gámez
et al. 2017). Sunshine and robust winds can guarantee a steady and sufficient energy
supply to a country for numerous years.
Third, renewable energy is a reliable source. There has been an increase in the use
of fossil fuels, which has resulted in a threat to human sustainability and security. It
is because fossil fuels are vulnerable to political instabilities, unnecessary war, trade
disputes, and inflation of energy prices (Gámez et al. 2017). These factors negatively
influence a country and can substantially drain its economy. Whereas some contend
that wind and solar energy are not reliable, a solid infrastructure can solve this. If
generation plants are distributed over a wide geographical area, there could be a
minimal interruption in electricity generation as weather disruptions in one place
are not similar to other locations.
The fourth advantage is that it promotes job creation. Some sources of renewable
energy are economically viable since they are cheaper compared to many traditional
energy sources. Studies indicate that since the initiation of renewable energy, stable
jobs have increased in many economies (for example, in the United Kingdom
and the Netherlands) (Bulavskaya and Reynès 2018). According to experts, the
campaigns geared at embracing renewable energy will lead to the creation of
thousands of stable jobs.
The other benefits are stabilization of global energy prices, less maintenance
of facilities, improvement of public health, and empowerment of people in the
countryside. Regarding empowerment, the generation of renewable energy mainly
occurs in remote environments. It implies that local towns can get a fair proportion of the generated power, thus catalyzing the regeneration of these areas in
socioeconomical ways (Bulavskaya and Reynès 2018). The electrification of such
areas can open up untapped development opportunities. It is achieved by advancing
greenhouses through the use of geothermal power and heating of towns using hot
water.
143
6.4 Overall Benefits of Renewable Energy
First, renewable energy is mainly perceived as eco-friendly. As a clean source of
energy, it has zero greenhouse emissions. Fossil fuels release large proportions
of greenhouse gas which cause climate change, global warming, and degradation
of air quality (Panwar et al. 2011). Fossil fuels also tend to contribute to the
emission of sulfur in the atmosphere, which causes acid rain. As such, the use
of renewable sources of energy is mainly detrimental to the reduction of air
pollution.
Second, renewable energy sources are renewable, thus implying that they do not
get depleted. Energy sources like fossil fuels are perceived as limited resources, and
there is a high likelihood that they may deplete in the future. As such, renewable
energy could aid developing states from over-dependence on fossil fuels (Gámez
et al. 2017). Sunshine and robust winds can guarantee a steady and sufficient energy
supply to a country for numerous years.
Third, renewable energy is a reliable source. There has been an increase in the use
of fossil fuels, which has resulted in a threat to human sustainability and security. It
is because fossil fuels are vulnerable to political instabilities, unnecessary war, trade
disputes, and inflation of energy prices (Gámez et al. 2017). These factors negatively
influence a country and can substantially drain its economy. Whereas some contend
that wind and solar energy are not reliable, a solid infrastructure can solve this. If
generation plants are distributed over a wide geographical area, there could be a
minimal interruption in electricity generation as weather disruptions in one place
are not similar to other locations.
The fourth advantage is that it promotes job creation. Some sources of renewable
energy are economically viable since they are cheaper compared to many traditional
energy sources. Studies indicate that since the initiation of renewable energy, stable
jobs have increased in many economies (for example, in the United Kingdom
and the Netherlands) (Bulavskaya and Reynès 2018). According to experts, the
campaigns geared at embracing renewable energy will lead to the creation of
thousands of stable jobs.
The other benefits are stabilization of global energy prices, less maintenance
of facilities, improvement of public health, and empowerment of people in the
countryside. Regarding empowerment, the generation of renewable energy mainly
occurs in remote environments. It implies that local towns can get a fair proportion of the generated power, thus catalyzing the regeneration of these areas in
socioeconomical ways (Bulavskaya and Reynès 2018). The electrification of such
areas can open up untapped development opportunities. It is achieved by advancing
greenhouses through the use of geothermal power and heating of towns using hot
water.