6.2, 6.3

6.2
Around the world, people are using more renewable energy. These alternative energy sources could hold the key to combating climate change. But what is renewable energy? Renewable energy comes from sources that won’t run out. The most common are solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. About 90% of the energy we use comes from non-renewable sources. But renewables are the fastest-growing energy source in the world.

PART 2
6.3
Renewable energy has many benefits. First, it will help us combat climate change. Renewable energy creates no direct greenhouse gases. The only emissions are produced indirectly during manufacturing, installation, operation, and maintenance—but these are minimal. Second, it will help decrease pollution. Wind, solar, and hydroelectric systems create no air pollution. Geothermal and biomass energy emissions are much lower than fossil fuel emissions. Third, we will have a reliable source of power. Renewable energy sources are… well… renewable: they will never run out. The facilities cost little to operate, and the fuel is often free. Renewable energy prices will therefore remain stable over time.

But renewable energy is not without downsides. First, it generates power on a much smaller scale than fossil fuels. Second, wind farms and dams can disrupt wildlife and migration patterns, and cause ecological destruction. Third, both solar and wind energy are intermittent—they only work while the sun is shining or while the wind is blowing. Batteries can store energy for later use, but they are often costly.

Switching completely to renewables won’t be easy, but it will get easier with time as the technology gets cheaper and better. And it will definitely help the environment, too. With renewable energy, an end to climate change could actually be within our reach.