Renewable Energy and Climate Change
Abstract
Climate change is among the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century,
primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. Renewable energy—
derived from solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass sources—offers sustainable
alternatives to mitigate climate change and promote energy security. This paper
reviews the role of renewable energy in reducing carbon emissions, examines
technological advancements, and evaluates economic and policy frameworks that
support clean energy transitions. While renewable energy adoption has accelerated
worldwide, challenges remain, including intermittency, infrastructure costs, and
geopolitical inequalities. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of coordinated
global action, public investment, and innovation to achieve net-zero carbon
emissions by mid-century. The paper concludes that renewable energy is not merely
an environmental option but an economic and social imperative for addressing
climate change.
Introduction
Climate change poses a severe threat to ecosystems, economies, and human health.
Driven primarily by carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuel combustion,
global warming has already caused rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather
events, and biodiversity loss (IPCC, 2021). The urgency of the crisis is
underscored by international agreements such as the Paris Accord, which aims to
limit warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Renewable energy is central to these efforts. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable
sources are abundant, clean, and increasingly cost-competitive. The International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA, 2021) reports that renewables accounted for over
70% of new global electricity capacity in 2020. Solar and wind energy, in
particular, have witnessed dramatic growth, largely due to declining costs and
supportive policies.
This paper explores how renewable energy can mitigate climate change, identifies
key technological and policy developments, and addresses barriers to large-scale
adoption. By reviewing recent literature, it presents a holistic understanding of
renewables as a pathway to sustainable development.
Literature Review
Renewable Energy Technologies
Solar Power: Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight into electricity. Advances in
efficiency and storage have made solar one of the fastest-growing energy sources
(Fraunhofer ISE, 2020).
Wind Energy: Onshore and offshore wind turbines generate significant power.
Offshore wind, in particular, is emerging as a scalable solution for densely
populated regions (IRENA, 2021).
Hydropower: The largest source of renewable electricity, though associated with
ecological disruption from dam construction (World Bank, 2019).
Geothermal Energy: Provides constant power from underground heat, especially viable
in volcanic regions (Lund & Boyd, 2016).
Biomass: Organic material converted into energy; while renewable, its
sustainability depends on careful management to avoid deforestation and land-use
conflicts.
Climate Benefits
Renewable energy reduces reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas, thereby lowering
greenhouse gas emissions. Jacobson et al. (2017) modeled 139 countries
transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2050, showing significant reductions in
CO₂ emissions and air pollution-related deaths.
Economic Impacts
Contrary to earlier concerns, renewable energy generates substantial economic
benefits. Clean energy industries create millions of jobs worldwide, often
surpassing those in fossil fuels (IRENA, 2021). Furthermore, declining technology
costs make renewables increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite growth, challenges persist. Renewable energy is often intermittent,
requiring storage solutions such as batteries or hybrid grids (NREL, 2019).
Infrastructure costs remain high, particularly in developing countries.
Additionally, resource extraction for renewable technologies—like lithium for
batteries—raises environmental and ethical concerns (Vidal et al., 2013).
Methodology
This study applies a qualitative literature review of peer-reviewed articles,
international agency reports, and policy documents from 2015 to 2023. Sources were
selected based on their focus on renewable energy technologies, climate change
mitigation, and socioeconomic impacts. The review synthesizes scientific and
economic perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of renewable
energy’s role in addressing climate change.
Discussion
Renewable Energy and Global Emissions
Transitioning to renewable energy is critical for reducing carbon emissions. The
power sector accounts for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions (IEA, 2021). Replacing
fossil fuels with renewables could cut emissions drastically, supporting the 1.5°C
goal. For example, solar and wind now provide cheaper electricity than new coal in
most regions.
Equity and Access
Access to renewable energy remains uneven. Developed nations lead in deployment,
while low-income countries often lack infrastructure and investment. This disparity
risks widening global inequality unless financial and technological support is
provided.
Integration with Other Sectors
Renewables must expand beyond electricity generation into transportation, industry,
and heating. Electric vehicles, powered by renewable grids, reduce emissions in
transportation. Similarly, hydrogen produced with renewables could decarbonize
heavy industry.
Policy and Governance
Policy frameworks are crucial. Countries with strong incentives—such as Germany’s
Energiewende—have accelerated renewable adoption. Carbon pricing, subsidies for
clean energy, and phase-outs of coal plants are proven strategies for driving
transition (Sovacool, 2017).
Recommendations
Invest in Energy Storage: Governments should fund research into advanced battery
and grid storage systems to manage intermittency.
Expand International Cooperation: Wealthier nations must support developing
countries through finance and technology transfer.
Adopt Stronger Policy Frameworks: Carbon taxes, renewable portfolio standards, and
clean energy subsidies accelerate adoption.
Encourage Just Transition: Policies must protect fossil fuel workers and
communities by providing retraining and economic diversification.
Promote Public Awareness: Education campaigns can increase acceptance of renewable
projects and reduce opposition.
Conclusion
Renewable energy is both a necessity and an opportunity in the fight against
climate change. Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass collectively offer a
pathway to decarbonization, improved public health, and economic growth. However,
challenges such as intermittency, inequality, and resource management must be
addressed. With strong policies, global cooperation, and sustained innovation,
renewable energy can drive a just and sustainable energy transition.
References
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International Energy Agency (IEA). (2021). World energy outlook 2021.
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IPCC. (2021). Climate change 2021: The physical science basis. Intergovernmental
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Jacobson, M. Z., Delucchi, M. A., Cameron, M. A., & Frew, B. A. (2017). 100% clean
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Lund, J. W., & Boyd, T. L. (2016). Direct utilization of geothermal energy 2015
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Sovacool, B. K. (2017). Contestation, contingency, and justice in the Nordic low-
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Vidal, O., Goffé, B., & Arndt, N. (2013). Metals for a low-carbon society. Nature
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World Bank. (2019). Hydropower sustainability assessment protocol.
