Everyone has heard about renewable energy. They are envisioned as humanity's future, where coal and fossil fuels are finite and solar, wind, and hydro are infinite sources of energy for current human energy consumption. So, why aren't they the primary source of energy for all countries?

Renewable energy, with all its benefits, is not without flaws. The main issue is that renewable energy cannot operate around the clock. If there is enough storage, fossil fuels can be used indefinitely. Nuclear power facilities can also operate around the clock, except perhaps occasionally or twice every few years. Renewable energy sources, on the other hand, cannot operate continuously. There will be times when the sun does not rise, such as on cloudy days or at night. Additionally, there's no guarantee that the wind will blow, the tides will shift, or that there won't be a drought. There must be a backup plan in place in case these energy sources fail to continue to produce energy. This entails the use of nuclear energy, fossil fuels, natural gas, etc. Battery storage is an option, but it takes up a lot of space and is not yet developed enough to be worthwhile for storing enough energy to power cities. As a result, humans must rely on nonrenewable energy sources to have a reliable source of power.

The effects of renewable energy on the environment are another issue. First off, sources of renewable energy require a lot of room. Although this may and will be rectified with technological advancements, renewable energy sources now waste too much space. The natural areas where renewable energy sources are constructed are impacted by this. For instance, solar energy is probably the least space-efficient source. On the ocean, for instance, wind energy can be developed. It does, however, have its difficulties. Every year, 1.17 million birds are killed by wind turbines in the US alone, possibly including endangered species. Wind turbines also have to be built in remote locations as they produce lots of noise and affect visual aesthetics. Therefore, choosing a site to build wind turbines can be quite a challenge. Hydroelectric power also affects the environment around it. Building dams require new roads and power lines that usually go right through and disrupt the environment. Dams also flood certain areas which can displace wildlife and humans. Flooding can also kill plants and trees, releasing carbon dioxide into the air. They also stop rivers from flowing, creating stagnant water which results in a lack of oxygen, causing methane to be produced from the decomposition of plant material at the bottom of the reservoir. The nonflowing water also disrupts migrating fish, also affecting the local food chains.

As shown, renewable energy does have lots of problems, these being just the tip of the iceberg. For example, the massive cost of producing renewable energy sources or the waste material from them has not been addressed. However, renewable energy is likely to be the future of humankind. Someday we will run out of fossil fuels from the ground and uranium deposits. Renewable energy will be the only sustainable source of energy. Before being able to completely rely on renewable energy, humans still have a long way to go. Even while it may seem like a tedious journey, it is now the only choice available to humanity. Nonrenewable energy is only transient and has a limited shelf life. As a result, efforts must be made to create renewable energy sources to ensure a hopefully more sustainable future.

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