Mitigating Climate Change: Powering a Net-Zero Future through Renewable Energy
Climate change is real— the sooner we realize it, the better our chances are of ensuring a better tomorrow for our forthcoming generations. Although, experts suggest many potential methods for mitigating climate change and its branching effects. Renewable or non-fossil energy is one of the most prominent ways that promise a healthier tomorrow. So much so that “A Transition to Clean Energy,” Gloria Reuben admits, “is about making an investment in the future.”
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable, as the name suggests, defines as replenishable. Renewable energy means usable energy derived from renewable sources— such as the Sun, wind, moving water, and more (Britannica, 2023). The United Nations delineates Renewable Energy as energy derived from natural sources replenished at a higher rate than consumed (UN, 2023).
A Renewable or Flow Source is a source of power that is immune to the risk of exhaustion and continues to restock itself over a finite quantity of time. It is cheaper than a non-renewable source and generates three times more employment opportunities than mineral fuels.
Role of Renewable Energy in Mitigating Climate Change
Renewable technology is on the upswing—and as technology progresses, clean energy will become a household name. Huge industries are trying to get a piece of the cake, as the integration of renewables in power stations, industries, and residential buildings is at an all-time high— complementing it is the decreasing costs.
With each sunrise, we see newer ways devised for producing clean energy and investors dumping excessive suitcases upon suitcases of money into researching, developing, and distributing green energy.
With that said, there are plenty of ways we harvest energy via renewable means. Some of which are:
1. Solar (Photovoltaic) Power:
Solar energy accounts for 13.5% of renewable energy (EcoWatch, 2022). It is the energy generated from sun rays. And by far, it holds the most promise out of all the renewable sources. To such a degree that the sunlight reaching Earth's surface every hour and a half is enough to meet its energy needs for an entire year (EcoWatch, 2022).
2. Wind Power:
Another entry to renewable sources is the energy generated from air currents. Wind power annually contributes to 6.59% of Global Electricity (The Roundup, 2023).
3. Hydro Power:
Hydropower incorporates the energy deduced from fluvial water. Sources say that hydropower accounts for a whopping 60% of clean energy (IHA, 2023). Hydropower single-handedly accounts for a great deal of energy output for many countries.
4. Other Renewable Sources:
Other zero-carbon energy sources include:
• Geothermal energy.
• Biomass energy.
• Tidal energy.
The Net-Zero Goal
Were you aware that global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry increased 5.3 percent in 2021 to reach a record high of 37.12 billion metric tons (GtCO2) (Statista, 2023)? On top of that, carbon dioxide, along with other greenhouse gases (GHG), is the leading determinant in the cause of a potential climate crisis. To counter that, GHG emissions need containment, or else goodbye to planet Earth.
That is the Net-Zero goal. A goal that the entire world is working on to achieve.
To achieve this designated target, humans must reduce their hydrocarbon utilization and replace it with a more efficient, practical, economical, and environment-friendly energy source— renewables can do just that. It is a powerful way of attaining good riddance from fossil fuels and their long-lasting, lethal ramifications. Not only that but there are also no technological barriers to transforming the global energy output into renewable, as reported by Samuel Jeff (SnoQap, 2022). Moreover, IEA devised a plan to reduce the net emissions of CO2 to zero percent by 2050. That plan entails 90% of global electricity generation would come from renewable sources by that year (IEA, 2021). The expansion of renewable resources is significant in order to minimize GHG emissions in hopes of evading the climate crisis soon upon us.
The Case of Costa Rica
What if I told you that a future powered by 100% carbon-free energy might turn into physicality sooner rather than later? — an era where you might never have to rely on energy evolved from dead dinosaurs who once populated this very Earth millennia ago? This statement might come as a surprise or elicit a disbelieving response. But fortunately, we are confronting this reality at this very moment. An actuality— where clean, green energy is powering whole downtowns, whole suburbs, whole metropolises, and even whole countries. And yes, I am talking about Costa Rica. And notwithstanding environmentalists and governments continuously bickering over how to transition away from fossil fuels, this country amid them may have found a solution.
As a backdrop, Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Its geography, resources, and climate have made it viable to harness renewable energy effectively. Costa Rica has proficiently managed to “decarbonize” its energy sector. And as Madison Colledge states in her article, Costa Rica has perfected the use of hydroelectric power; for them, it is old news (SnoQap, 2021).
ITA reports that Renewable Energy quenched 99.78% of Costa Rica’s energy needs in 2020. Five years ago, renewable energy fulfilled 98% of its energy requirements, with 72% coming from hydroelectric power and 15% from geothermal power (ITA, 2022). What’s more, the country is estimated to become independent of carbon-based fuels by 2030. When compared, The United States, having a 23 trillion USD GDP (Gross Domestic Product), is estimated to achieve the same feat by 2050. Overall, Costa Rica's case demonstrates the potential for countries to transition to renewable energy sources and decarbonize their economies, even when going toe-to-toe with political and financial adversities.
The Urgency of the Climate Crisis
One cannot overstate the urgency of the climate crisis. Climate change is crumbling the foundations of our planet as we speak, and if we do not take essential mitigation measures, Earth will become unhabitable. And we would have to pack up for a permanent stay on Elon Musk’s Mars..
The point I am trying to convey is that Climate Change is clear and noticeable as day and night, and some of its striking effects are irreversible. Rising temperatures and melting glaciers cause sea levels to rise, further endangering communities globally. Heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts are becoming widespread, calling out for immediate actions, whether it be from governments, industries, businesses, individuals, or all combined.
To conclude, renewable energy can be an impactful factor in evading this climate crisis. We have the technology, resources, and time to address this crisis. However, it is imperative to recognize that tackling this issue requires collective action from all sectors, including governments. Governments play a pivotal part in addressing the climate crisis by setting policies and regulations that promote adopting renewable energy. Through investing in renewable energy infrastructure and incentivizing private sector investments, governments can help accelerate the transition towards a sustainable future.
Works Cited
Selin, N. Eckley (2023, January 16). renewable energy. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/renewable-energy
United Nations (2023). What is renewable energy? https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-renewable-energy
Wakefield, F. (2022, September 15). Top 24 solar energy statistics for 2022. EcoWatch. https://www.ecowatch.com/solar-energy-statistics-2022.html
Cole, S. (2023). 13 compelling wind energy statistics & facts. The Roundup. https://theroundup.org/wind-energy-statistics
IHA (2023). Facts about hydropower. https://www.hydropower.org/iha/discover-facts-about-hydropower
Tiseo, I. (2023, February 6). Annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions worldwide from 1940 to 2021.
Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/276629/global-co2-emissions/
Jaffe, S. (2022, July 12). The Challenges of Giving Up Fossil Fuels. SnoQap. https://www.snoqap.com/posts/2022/4/19/the-challenges-of-giving-up-fossil-fuels-cp6rn?rq=energy
IEA. (2021). Net Zero by 2050. Paris: IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050 License: CC BY 4.0.
Colledge, M. (2021, August 4). Costa Rica is Making Waves for Renewable Energy. https://www.snoqap.com/posts/costa-rica-is-making-waves-for-renewable-energy
International Trade Administration. (2022, January 11). Costa Rica's Renewable Energy. https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/costa-ricas-renewable-energy
