The world’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is a necessary evolution to a smarter, cleaner and more resilient system. Its impact goes beyond the environment, paving the way to a healthier society and a more stable economy. However, renewable energy is an initiative. It requires both top-down efforts and individual consumer actions to succeed. Understanding the whys and hows of this global project is a must at every level.
Fossil fuel-fired power plants are the largest stationary source of pollutants like nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury, carbon dioxide and fine particle emissions. These contribute to smog and acid rain, which damage forests and buildings. They also create the hazy air that makes it harder to breathe in cities.
Outdoor air pollution also has fatal consequences. In 2019, it caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide due to issues ranging from ischemic heart disease and stroke to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In short, the fossil fuel economy directly contributes to the leading causes of death around the world.
It doesn’t help that even before a single drop of oil or piece of coal becomes energy, the process of getting it out of the ground already releases massive amounts of greenhouse gases. The machinery, transportation and processing involved in oil and gas activities, just on United States federal lands, amounted to around 428 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
The environment also suffers from fossil fuels. Strip mining and oil spills devastate coastlines and marine wildlife. The ocean absorbs at least a quarter of the carbon dioxide fossil fuels generate, changing its acidity levels and making it harder for oceanic ecosystems to thrive. This also threatens the seafood industry and the coastal tourism economies that many communities depend on.
To make matters worse, the fossil fuel market is volatile. While 2022 set a record for profits, they have remained elevated since, contributing to unpredictable price swings at the gas pump and spikes in home heating bills. Continuing to rely on the finite source may create financial uncertainty for many households.
The Pillars of a Green-Powered World
Renewable energy comes from many sources, including:
- Solar: Solar panels turn the sun’s energy into usable power.
- Wind: Modern windmills capture the kinetic energy of the air.
- Hydropower: Turbines channel the immense power of moving water.
- Geothermal: Tapping into the planet’s natural heat creates steam and generates electricity.
Around 6 billion people depend on fossil fuels from other countries, making them vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions. Renewable energy removes those risks, as it’s available everywhere in the world. It puts more control in the hands of communities rather than in the hands of a few corporations or nations.
Innovation in Action: Building a Greener Future
Tackling energy challenges requires a two-pronged approach — revolutionizing energy supply by shifting to renewable sources and reducing energy demand through innovation. Consider the following smart and sustainable solutions.
Smarter, Healthier Buildings
Buildings are responsible for 40% of total energy consumption, making them a crucial focus for creating a healthier planet. Green building practices are a primary solution, including passive and active design. Passive design uses the building’s structure to manage the environment, such as designing homes with better insulation and smart shading devices.
Reducing thermal bridging is another great example of passive design. It involves limiting the ways heat can leave your home, resulting in lower energy consumption. While the environmental impact is significant, the immediate payoff for you is a more comfortable home that costs significantly less to heat in winter and cool in summer.
Greener Fields and Shorter Chains
The food and agriculture sectors account for 30% of the global energy demand. Innovations like precision agriculture, which uses technology for site-specific crop management and allows farmers to treat different parts of a field separately, can lower that need. Farmers can also use drones with thermal imaging to spot thirsty crops, GPS-guided tractors that avoid overfertilizing, and sensors that measure soil health in real time.
Vertical farming is another viable solution. Imagine a warehouse in the middle of the city, with stacks of leafy greens growing 10 levels under purple LED lights and using significantly less water than traditional farming. It can enable fresh produce deliveries to local grocery stores in hours rather than days. This reduces the distance food travels from the farm to the table, thereby cutting down on transportation-related emissions.
Electrification of Transportation
Renewable energy use in transport will likely increase by 50% by 2030, with electric vehicles (EVs) getting the largest share. Innovations like vehicle-to-grid technology — where your car can actually send power back to the grid during peak demand — are turning EVs into part of the solution for grid stability.
This isn’t just about a few e-bikes and scooters downtown. It’s about creating cities where you can safely use an e-bike for your daily commute or grab a shared electric moped to run errands. These can replace countless short car trips and significantly reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
Your Role in the Renewable Revolution
No act is too small in building a sustainable future. Here are some things you can do to contribute to the energy shift:
- Support from home: Seal drafts around windows with weatherstripping, choose appliances with the ENERGY STAR label and research community solar programs.
- Advocate locally: Attend a town hall meeting about sustainability or follow your local sustainability committee on social media.
- Support green financing: Search for “your state + green bank” to see if one exists, what projects it is funding and how you can support them.
- Invest consciously: Check your 401(k) or IRA options to see if they offer environmental, social and governance funds, which often prioritize companies leading the green transition.
A Green and Promising Horizon
A healthier planet is a team sport. It requires top-down innovations from scientists, engineers and policymakers as well as bottom-up initiatives from engaged individuals, families and communities. Every effort counts in creating a world with cleaner air in cities, more stable household finances and greater community resilience.
About the Author
Peter Chambers, an associate editor at Renovated, is a dedicated sustainable living and home improvement writer. As a woodworker, DIY enthusiast, and gardening nerd, he combines his passion for craftsmanship with his commitment to environmental responsibility. When he’s not writing, you can find Peter out on a hike, in his woodshop, or tending to his vegetable garden.