THE ISSUE:

The burning of coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat production is the largest single source of global warming pollution. Fossil fuel use releases heat-trapping gases that make up about 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions. (Source: IPCC 2014) 152 million tons of manmade greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere every 24 hours, mostly carbon dioxide. (Source: UN Environment Programme)

THE FACTS:

There are other, cleaner ways to produce energy. Hydropower uses moving water to produce electricity, generating little to no greenhouse gases. In 2017, hydropower comprised about 3.6% of total energy consumption. (Source: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions) Hydropower is one of the oldest energy sources and the largest source of renewable energy. Wind is the second largest renewable energy source. China and the U.S. have the greatest capacity for wind power generation. The largest wind turbines in the world are nearly 260 meters tall (853 feet). (Source: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions) The price of solar power has dropped 89% from 2009 to 2019 (Source: Our World in Data)

THE SOLUTIONS:

Renewable energies offer nature-based solutions that are unlimited. Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source globally, but is currently underutilized. They were the source of only about 11% of total energy consumption in 2017. (Source: International Energy Agency) To stop global warming, more of our energy needs to be generated from water, wind, solar, and other renewable sources.