Wind and solar energy are some of the biggest topics of discussion right now in renewable energy, and with good reason: they can help save our planet!
There are so many incredible developments in solar energy that can pave the way for a brighter future — for instance, the city of San Francisco just became the first major city in the United States to require solar panels on all new construction. Why does that matter? Well, San Francisco’s goal is to meet 100% of the city’s electricity needs through renewable energy sources. By lessening its reliance on fossil fuels, San Francisco is playing a huge part in showing other cities two things:
- It’s possible to integrate sustainable living on a city-wide scale
- It’s time to start taking action in order to protect our planet’s future
The Growing Problem With Greenhouse Gasses
In order to understand why this is a big deal, it’s important to consider the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) in climate change. CO2 makes up almost 81% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s primarily driven by human activity. In fact, CO2 levels haven’t been this high since dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
CO2 is generated when we burn fossil fuels, which is why renewable energy — like solar power — is so important. They make it possible for us to generate power without having to increase greenhouse gas emissions. So, why isn’t every city using solar power?
The short answer is that researchers are still working out the kinks. Even though we can power our phones and homes with solar panels, powering an entire city solely on solar power requires some hefty technology that is still being developed. After all, solar panels can only gather sunlight during daytime hours.
But think about “renewable energy” means: it’s any energy source that can be naturally replenished, unlike fossil fuels, which can be depleted. And fortunately, tons of materials and activities that we interact with on a daily basis can be easily replenished.
Some estimates suggest that we only have about 250 years until our coal reserves run out. But when that happens, we can rest assured that we’ll have alternate sources to power our energy needs, like solar power, wind energy … and texting?
The Weirdest Renewable Energy Sources
Some of the renewable energy sources in development today are completely off the wall — but if they work, they could help reduce (or eliminate) our reliance on fossil fuels. You may have heard of algae fuel, which is being researched as an alternative to petroleum. But did you know that texting, sweating, and even space lasers can potentially power our sustainable futures?
It’s true! Check out the infographic below, created by Green Future, for a full list of the five weirdest renewable energy sources.
Which one surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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