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RENEWABLE ENERGY
Today, with improved technology, we can harness energy from the
sun, wind, water, and the natural heat of the Earth to produce electricity
with very little harm to our environment. These forms of energy
are renewable, which means that they will never run out.
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas will eventually run out.
They are non-renewable.
Coal and oil are called fossil fuels because they were formed millions
of years ago from the remains of plants and animals. These remains
contain carbon.
Why is this important?
Burning fossil fuels releases the carbon stored in them into the
atmosphere as Carbon dioxide. Too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
is harmful. It acts like a huge blanket around the planet, keeping
the heat in.
This is known as the Greenhouse Effect. This extra
heat is causing our climate to change. Some places in the world
are getting wetter. Some are getting drier.
Renewable forms of energy do not release carbon and so do not contribute
to the Greenhouse Effect. To learn more about the different kinds
of renewable energy follow the links below...
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