RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

TYPES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES:

-​ Solar: Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even
be harnessed in cloudy weather. The rate at which solar energy is intercepted by
the Earth is about 10,000 times greater than the rate at which humankind
consumes energy.
-​ Wind: Wind energy harnesses the kinetic energy of moving air by using large
wind turbines located on land (onshore) or in sea- or freshwater (offshore). Wind
energy has been used for millennia, but onshore and offshore wind energy
technologies have evolved over the last few years to maximize the electricity
produced - with taller turbines and larger rotor diameters.
-​ Hydroelectric: Hydropower harnesses the energy of water moving from higher to
lower elevations. It can be generated from reservoirs and rivers. Reservoir
hydropower plants rely on stored water in a reservoir, while run-of-river
hydropower plants harness energy from the available flow of the river.
-​ Biomass: Biomass, such as wood, charcoal, dung and other manures is used for
heat and power production, and agricultural crops for liquid biofuels. Most
biomass is used in rural areas for cooking, lighting and space heating, generally
by poorer populations in developing countries. Modern biomass systems include
dedicated crops or trees, residues from agriculture and forestry, and various
organic waste streams. Energy created by burning biomass creates greenhouse
gas emissions, but at lower levels than burning fossil fuels like coal, oil or gas.
-​ Geothermal: Geothermal energy utilizes the accessible thermal energy from the
Earth’s interior. Heat is extracted from geothermal reservoirs using wells or other
means. Once at the surface, fluids of various temperatures can be used to
generate electricity. The technology for electricity generation from hydrothermal
reservoirs is mature and reliable, and has been operating for more than 100
years.
-​ Nuclear: Nuclear energy is a form of energy released from the nucleus, the core
of atoms, made up of protons and neutrons. This source of energy can be
produced in two ways: fission – when nuclei of atoms split into several parts – or
fusion – when nuclei fuse together.
OUR POINTS / ARGUMENTS:

Today, the use of renewables in our electricity mix has grown massively. At the end of
1991, renewables accounted for a mere 2% of electrical generation in the UK, while by
2013 it had risen to 14.6%.

With the UK and US aiming to reach net zero by 2050, using electricity that comes from
renewable sources is essential to help reduce our carbon emissions.

Renewable energy comes from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the
sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space
and water heating and cooling, and transportation.

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a
higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources
that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all
around us.

As they’re in much more plentiful supply, compared to fossil fuels, governments across
the world are looking to develop renewables to exclusively power their nations.

At the beginning of the 21st century, about 80 percent of the world’s energy supply was
derived from fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are finite
resources; most estimates suggest that the proven reserves of oil are large enough to
meet global demand at least until the middle of the 21st century.w
Fossil fuel combustion has a number of negative environmental consequences.
Fossil-fueled power plants emit air pollutants. Exposure to these pollutants can cause
heart disease, asthma, and other human health problems. In addition, emissions from
fossil fuel combustion are responsible for acid rain, which has led to the acidification of
many lakes and consequent damage to aquatic life, leaf damage in many forests, and
the production of smog in or near many urban areas.

Perhaps most importantly, renewables produce little or no harmful emissions when

used, so the clean energy they provide will play a crucial role in preventing further
global warming. It’s why so many of our net zero goals in the future hinge on increasing
their use today.
MORE POINTS:
We need to end our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative sources of energy
that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable which are generating
energy from renewable sources.

Environmental:
-​ Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are by far the largest contributor to global
climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions
and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions - and the consequences of
climate change are: sea level rise, extreme weather, rise in temperature, food
insecurity, health,...
-​ Generating energy from renewable resources produces little (very very little) to
no greenhouse gas emissions or pollutants in the air as it is provided by natural
sources such as the sun, wind, waste and the heat from Earth itself.
-​ Damage Earth - land degradation
-​ .
Fossil fuels = carbon pollution = global warming = more extreme weather events,
extinction, health risks and death, poverty, unemployment,...
-​ If it continues to happen then by the end of the global temperature rise will
be 2.5oC by the end of the century however 1.5oC is the max we need to
limit global temperature rise to avoid the worst climate impacts.
Improve human health:
-​ According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 99% of people in the
world breathe air that exceeds air quality limits and threatens their health, and
more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable
environmental causes, including air pollution. The unhealthy levels of fine
particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide originate mainly from the burning of fossil
fuels. In 2018, air pollution from fossil fuels caused $2.9 trillion in health and
economic costs, about $8 billion a day. Switching to clean sources of energy,
such as wind and solar, thus helps address not only climate change but also air
pollution and health.

Reliance - boost energy independence:

-​ 80% of the global population or about 6 billion people are dependent on fossil
fuels, most of which comes from the Arabian countries that countries across the
world have to depend on. In contrast, renewable energy sources are available in
all countries. They will offer countries dependent on fossil fuels from foreign
countries to diversify their economies and protect themselves from the
unpredictable price swings of fossil fuels while letting their economy grow,
creating new jobs and lowering poverty.
It will never run out:
-​ It can basically last forever and will not run out as the resources are more than
enough to use
-​ Renewable energy, by definition, can’t be used up. Unlike fossil fuels, energy
sources like sun, wind, hydropower, and biomass regenerate themselves. Any
renewable energy source can also be sustainable.

Create Jobs:
-​ Every dollar of investment in renewables creates three times more jobs than in
the fossil fuel industry. The transition towards net-zero emissions will create
major changes in the energy-related industry. While about 5 million jobs in fossil
fuel production could be lost by 2030, an estimated 14 million new jobs would be
created in clean energy.
-​ Energy-related industries would require a further 16 million workers, for instance,
to take on new roles in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and hyper-efficient
appliances or in innovative technologies such as hydrogen. This means that a
total of more than 30 million jobs could be created in clean energy, efficiency, and
low-emissions technologies by 2030

The economy - basically money-related stuff:

-​ More affordable - Renewable energy is the cheapest power option in most parts
of the world today.
-​ About $7 trillion was spent on subsidizing the fossil fuel industry in 2022. In
comparison, only about $4.5 trillion a year needs to be invested in renewable
energy until 2030 – including investments in technology and infrastructure – to
allow us to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
-​ The reduction of pollution and climate impacts alone could save the world up to
$4.2 trillion annually by 2030.
-​ Low maintenance - Wind turbines and solar panels have fewer moving parts
than fuel-burning generators. That makes them easier to maintain, reducing
costs.
 Fossil fuels Renewable Energy

Time to Millions of years Constantly

form self-replenishing

Availability Limited More than enough for

humans

Carbon Very high Virtually none

content

Long-term Global warming, loss More jobs, saved lives,

outlook and damages a healthier planet and
people

Cost More expensive over Cheaper and will be

time more stable over time
Rebuttal: “Renewable Energy > Nonrenewable Energy”
(from Fish)

- Environmental Impact:
- Nonrenewable energy sources like coal, oil, and gas produce harmful emissions that
contribute to climate change, while renewables like solar and wind emit little to no
greenhouse gases.
- Fossil fuel extraction and use result in deforestation, habitat destruction, and water
pollution, unlike clean energy solutions.

- Economic Viability:
- The cost of renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels and wind turbines,
has dropped significantly in the past decade, making it competitive or cheaper than
fossil fuels in many regions.
- Fossil fuels have volatile prices, while renewables rely on free resources like sunlight
and wind, ensuring stable energy costs.

- Resource Availability:
- Fossil fuels are finite and will run out, with estimates predicting oil reserves could be
depleted by mid-century.
- Renewable sources are naturally replenished and can provide a consistent,
sustainable energy supply indefinitely.

- Health Benefits:
- Fossil fuel combustion causes air pollution, leading to health problems such as
asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease.
- Clean energy reduces these pollutants, improving public health and reducing
healthcare costs.

- Energy Security:
- Reliance on fossil fuels creates dependency on imports, making nations vulnerable to
geopolitical tensions.
- Renewable energy promotes energy independence, with countries harnessing local
wind, solar, or hydro resources.

- Technological Advancements:
- Improvements in battery storage and grid technology are addressing concerns about
renewable energy intermittency.
- Innovations like offshore wind farms and floating solar panels maximize energy
potential without competing for land.
- Addressing Criticisms of Renewables:
- Solar Panel Manufacturing Pollution: Solar panels have a lifespan of 30+ years,
offsetting their manufacturing impact.
- Wind Noise Pollution: Turbines are placed away from residential areas, and noise
levels are minimal compared to traffic.
- Hydroelectric Environmental Impact: Advanced designs minimize ecosystem
disruptions, and dams provide decades of reliable energy.

- Global Trend:
- Countries aiming for net zero (like the UK and US) are prioritizing renewable energy,
proving its viability as the future of energy.
- The growing renewable energy sector is creating jobs and driving economic growth
worldwide.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
ATTACKING THEIR ARGUMENTS:

Coal:
-​ Carbon emissions
-​ Air pollution and smog
-​ Acid rain
-​ Coal mining is dangerous
Oil:
-​ Pollution
-​ Dangerous emissions
-​ Deadly to animals (spills)
-​ Drilling disrupts wildlife habitat
Gas:
-​ Leakage
-​ Air pollution
-​ Emissions
-​ Methane slip (can escape)
All of them depends on fossil fuels which are the causes of global warming

DISADVANTAGES / HOLES IN ARGUMENTS:

Solar energy:
-​ High initial cost; The cost of manufacturing solar panels has plummeted
dramatically in the last decade, making them not only affordable but often the
cheapest form of electricity. Renewable energy systems have low operational
and maintenance costs, and no fuel costs. Over time, they often become more
cost-effective than fossil fuels.
-​ Requires land use; Renewable energy doesn’t need as much land as people
think, and it’s much better for the environment than fossil fuels. Solar panels can
go on rooftops or farms where they don’t take extra space, and wind turbines can
be placed offshore. Some projects even use old, damaged land that isn’t good for
anything else. Plus, when a renewable energy site is done, the land can be
restored, unlike fossil fuels, which leave behind permanent damage. Renewables
also fight climate change, which is a much bigger threat to land and ecosystems.
-​ Solar panels manufacturing pollution . It is true that if we want solar panels , we
need factories, but do you think of how long a solar panel can be used? 30 years,
an extremely long time. In contrast, coal and oil provide energy for much shorter
periods, from 30 minutes to several hours. In addition, solar panels are
 man-made, people can make them immediately, but coal or oil are natural
resources, it takes millions of years just to create them. The pollution from
manufacturing solar panels is a concern, but when weighed against the long-term
benefits, it becomes clear that solar panels offer a much cleaner, sustainable
solution compared to fossil fuels.

Wind energy:
-​ Average wind speeds vary by location; The world’s technical potential for wind
energy exceeds global electricity production.
-​ Wind turbines might make noise pollution: The sound from wind turbines is
relatively quiet compared to other common sources of noise, like traffic or
airplanes. At a distance of 300 meters or more, the sound is typically lower than
background noise in many areas like : the sound of vehicles running on the
street.Wind turbine placement is usually regulated to ensure they are situated far
enough from residential areas to minimize any potential noise impacts, many
places have strict guidelines on the minimum distance between turbines and
homes like Ontario has a provincial guideline for wind turbines, which requires
them to be located at least 550 meters from homes.
-​ It is known that wind and temperature gradients might affect its volume, higher or
lower.
-​ Can affect wildlife; While renewable energy projects may have localized impacts
on wildlife, these are far outweighed by their benefits, especially when
considering the global scale of biodiversity loss caused by fossil fuels and climate
change.
Hydroelectric energy:
-​ Environmental impact into the water
-​ High initial cost; While no power plant is easy to build, hydro plants do require
you to build a dam to stop running water. As a result, they cost more than
similarly sized fossil fuel plants. BUTT; They will not need to worry about
purchasing fuel later on. So it does even out over the long-term.
Biomass:
-​ Contributes to deforestation
-​ Inefficient compared to gasoline
-​ Air pollution
-​ Environmental impact
-​ Its costs
Geothermal:
-​ Environmental issues (many greenhouse gases below Earth)
-​ Surface instability (earthquakes)
-​ Expensive
 -​ Location-specific
-​ Sustainability issues
Nuclear:
-​ Storing waste problems (radioactive)
-​ Risk of catastrophe
-​ Intensive water consumption
-​ High environmental impact