The world uses many different energy sources. Fossil fuels–including oil, natural gas and coal–accounted for more than 80 percent of the energy consumed in the year 2018. Renewable energy sources, such as solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity and biomass, make up for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is 5 percent. Different countries employ different mixes of energy sources, while balancing economic needs with environmental concerns.

Energy is found in nature in a number of forms, including sunlight winds, waves oceans and more. When harnessed and converted into more practical forms of energy, such as electricity or heat, these are referred to as primary sources. These sources are non-renewable resources of energy when they are exhausted.

The environment is harmed by many fossil fuels, along with other sources of energy that are not renewable. Oil mining, for web link example, can destroy the planet’s virgin forests. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) could cause earthquakes and water pollution. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burned which contributes to global warming.

Fortunately some of the most promising sources of energy are sustainable and renewable. Solar, wind and hydropower can, for example, generate electricity without having to dig for new sources.

Other sustainable energy sources are emerging, such as wave power and tidal energy. However, in order to be used at a large scale these technologies require efficient distribution networks. This requires the use non-renewable energy sources to build these networks. In the end, these sources are not yet capable of meeting the majority of our energy needs. It’s still important to remember that the cost of renewable energy equipment has drastically decreased in recent years and efficiency is growing.