Yes, switching to renewable energy sources is a major way to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Here's why:

• Fossil Fuels Release Carbon: When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, they release carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. This traps heat and contributes to global warming.
• Renewables Emit Little to No Carbon: Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower harness natural energy from the sun, wind, water, and heat within the Earth. They produce little to no greenhouse gases during electricity generation.
• Displacing Fossil Fuels: As renewable energy use increases, it displaces the need for fossil fuel-based power plants. This directly reduces overall carbon emissions from the energy sector.

Studies show that renewable energy sources have significantly lower lifetime carbon footprints compared to fossil fuels.

Here are some resources for further reading:

• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): [how to transform energy system and reduce carbon emissions ON International Renewable Energy Agency irena.org]
• World Resources Institute (WRI): [setting the record straight about renewable energy ON World Resources Institute wri.org]

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Renewables and energy efficiency, boosted by substantial electrification, can provide over 90% of the necessary reductions in energy-related carbon emissions. Increasing the use of electricity sourced from renewables presents the best opportunity to accelerate world's energy transformation. All renewable technologies have a small amount of carbon dioxide associated with their output due to the emissions from manufacturing and installing them, as detailed in the study, but how the renewable energy is used can have a much larger impact on the environment. Energy efficiency delivers a number of environmental benefits. It notably reduces GHG emissions, both direct emissions from fossil fuel combustion or consumption, and indirect emissions reductions from electricity generation. Renewable energy sources include solar energy, geothermal energy, wind turbines, ocean wave and tidal energy, waste and biomass energy, and hydropower. Because they do not burn fossil fuels, these renewable energy sources do not release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as they generate electricity. There is no path to protecting the climate without dramatically changing how we produce and use electricity: Renewable energy minimizes carbon pollution and has a much lower impact on our environment. The most immediate and significant impact of renewable energy is its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar, wind, and hydropower, among others, produces electricity without emitting CO2 or other harmful pollutants. That's because renewable energy sources such as solar and wind don't emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Renewables and energy efficiency, boosted by substantial electrification, can provide over 90% of the necessary reductions in energy-related carbon emissions. Increasing the use of electricity sourced from renewables presents the best opportunity to accelerate world's energy transformation. By transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy technologies produce little to no carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during operation, helping to combat global warming and limit temperature rise.

Yes, switching to renewable energy sources can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate climate change. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal are considered “clean” or “green” energy sources because they do not emit greenhouse gases (GHG) during operation. In contrast, traditional fossil fuel power plants emit large amounts of GHG, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), contributing to global warming.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a transition to renewable energy sources is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. In its "Net Zero by 2050" scenario, the IEA suggests that at least 60% of the world's energy supply must come from renewable sources by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

The role of renewable energy sources in mitigating climate change is twofold:

1. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Renewable energy sources emit significantly less greenhouse gases during operation than power plants using fossil fuels. For example, solar and wind power plants do not emit any greenhouse gases during operation, while hydroelectric plants emit very few greenhouse gases. By switching to renewable energy sources, we can significantly reduce the amount of GHGs released into the atmosphere, thereby helping to slow global warming.

2. Reduce fossil fuel consumption: Renewable energy sources can replace fossil fuels as the main source of energy for power generation, transportation and heating. By reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during the extraction, transportation and combustion of these fuels. This is especially important to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

While renewable energy sources are essential for mitigating climate change, it is important to note that transitioning to a renewable energy-based economy also poses challenges, e.g. :

1. Intermittent: Renewable energy sources are intermittent, meaning their availability varies depending on weather conditions (e.g. sun or wind). This can make it difficult to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply.

2. Energy storage: Energy storage technology is still developing and we need to improve our ability to store renewable energy for use during times of low energy resources.

3. Grid integration: Integrating renewable energy sources into the existing grid can be challenging, especially when it comes to connecting supply and demand in real time.

4. Cost: While the cost of renewable energy technology is falling, transitioning to a renewable energy-based economy still requires significant investment in infrastructure as well as research and development develop.

Despite these challenges, many countries and regions have made significant progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources. For example, Norway, Iceland and Costa Rica have achieved 100% renewable electricity, while countries such as China, the United States and the European Union have set ambitious targets to increase their energy share their regeneration.

In short, switching to renewable energy sources is an important step in mitigating climate change. While there are challenges to overcome, the benefits of renewable energy are clear: reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy security and a more sustainable future.

You raise a very important question about the role of renewable energy in reducing carbon emissions and responding to climate change. Can answer as follows:

Yes, switching to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal can contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions and reducing the impact of climate change, with Some notes below:

1. Reduced emissions: Renewable energy sources emit little or no greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, etc. compared to traditional fossil energy sources such as coal, oil and gas.

2. Sustainability: Renewable energy sources are endless and inexhaustible, helping to ensure energy security and long-term sustainability.

3. Scope of application: Renewable energy can be applied at many scales, from household to national level, helping to diversify the energy structure.

4. Advancing technology: Renewable energy technologies are increasingly developing, increasing efficiency and reducing production costs, contributing to increased competitiveness compared to traditional energy sources.

However, the transition to renewable energy also requires appropriate policies, investments and infrastructure. In addition, some types of renewable energy such as hydroelectricity still have a certain impact on the environment. Rk Naresh

Dr Trung Thanh Anthony thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Renewable energy is a critical solution in combating climate change. By transitioning to a low-carbon energy mix, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy security, and provide millions of people access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Renewable energy minimizes carbon pollution and has a much lower impact on our environment and it's having its moment in the sun. "Giving more access to renewable energy can allow them to reduce their own energy bills while reducing stress on the grid and demand for fossil fuel power.The most immediate and significant impact of renewable energy is its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar, wind, and hydropower, among others, produces electricity without emitting CO2 or other harmful pollutants. Renewable technologies are considered as clean sources of energy and optimal use of these resources minimize environmental impacts, produce minimum secondary wastes and are sustainable based on current and future economic and social societal needs. Sun is the source of all energies. Renewable energy sources contribute significantly to cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions. All renewable technologies have a small amount of carbon dioxide associated with their output due to the emissions from manufacturing and installing them, as detailed in the study, but how the renewable energy is used can have a much larger impact on the environment. Renewable energy is important for reducing our carbon footprint and protecting the environment for several reasons: Greenhouse gas emissions: Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases than traditional fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources include solar energy, geothermal energy, wind turbines, ocean wave and tidal energy, waste and biomass energy, and hydropower. Because they do not burn fossil fuels, these renewable energy sources do not release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as they generate electricity. Lower emissions would have significant benefits. Increasing renewable energy usage and allowing coal to taper-off in this policy scenario would lead to a 2.5 percent reduction in pollution, saving lives and leading to fewer missed school and workdays. Biomass is often portrayed as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels with CO2 reduction benefits. But every year, per kWh, biomass power plants emit 150% the CO2 of coal and between 300% – 400% the CO2 of natural gas, making them a major contributor to climate change.

Yes, carbon emissions to the atmosphere can be reduced by switching to renewable energy sources such as wind energy, tidal energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, etc., as these sources do not produce any carbon into the atmosphere and also provide enormous energy that human beings can use safely. Carbon dioxide is the major greenhouse gas that traps the incoming solar radiation from the sun, thereby resulting in more heat inside the earth's atmosphere. This leads to a rise in global temperature, leading to climate change. If the heat-trapping carbon dioxide is drastically reduced or minimized, the temperature of the earth can be maintained as it is now, if not reduced. However, renewable energy sources as of now cannot completely combat climate change because the already emitted carbon has a long half life in the atmosphere and is still trapping heat radiation. In light of this, sustainable development and renewable energy sources may eventually be able to mitigate climate change

Dr Bidyalakshmi Phurailatpam thank you for your contribution to the discussion