COVER FEATURE
THE FUTURE OF
IT’S THE WAY TO GO, BUT IS READY TO LEAVE OLD FORMS BEHIND TO PURSUE RENEWABLE By: Chireez Fredericks
I
t is no secret that global warming is on the rise and that a change needs to be made if we want to preserve the health and safety of our planet. All around the world, the idea of renewable energy as a primary energy source has begun to gain traction and this may just be the key needed to combat the ever-growing issue of climate change. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy resources make up 26% of the world’s electricity today. However, it is expected to reach 30% by 2024. But what exactly is renewable energy and why should we care? Renewable energy is generated from natural resources that have the ability to replenish themselves. That is, they never run out. The most common examples of these natural sources are solar (harnessing the radiant light and heat from the sun), wind (using windmills or wind turbines to harness the wind), hydropower (energy that uses the power of water in motion), geothermal power (heat that comes from the sub-surface of the earth) and biomass (renewable organic material that comes from plants and animals). (More on this on page 10.)
pollution emitted by coal and natural gas plants have been linked not only to cancer, heart attacks breathing problems and neurological damage but also to premature death. What are the costs involved? Once built, renewable energy-generating facilities cost very little to operate and because the source of the energy is free (the shining sun or blowing wind), and as a result the renewable energy prices tend to become more affordable and remain stable over time. That is, its prices do not fluctuate with unexpected economic changes or political challenges because access to the natural energy source is not limited or controlled by governments and businesses. The largest part of renewable energy investments is spent on the materials and workmanship that is needed to build and maintain renewable energy-generating facilities. This means job creation, skills development and investment for local communities.
Currently, the use of fossil fuels is one of the largest contributors to global warming as it releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases that negatively affect the earth’s ozone layer. Unlike these hazardous fossil fuels, most sources of renewable energy result in little to no greenhouse gas emissions and this makes renewable energy a lot more ecofriendly than fossil fuels.
While renewable energy becomes accessible in many parts of the world, we see the costs continue to decline, especially for cities in the developing world. As more and more businesses invest in renewable sources in order to avoid energy disruptions, it allows urban energy infrastructure to become independent from remote sources and local grids. Renewable energy is, therefore, the only way to expand energy access to all inhabitants, particularly those living in urban slums, informal settlements and in suburban and peri-urban areas.
Renewable energy can also decrease pollution and can therefore reduce threats to our health. This is because the
The effect of Covid-19 According to an article written by Nelson Mojarro, an advisory
6
Science Stars Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
