Among the available energy sources, renewable energy is generally the least harmful to the environment. This is primarily because renewable sources, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power, generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants. In contrast, fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil release carbon dioxide (CO2) and various pollutants when burned, contributing significantly to climate change, air pollution, and other environmental problems. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, we can reduce our carbon footprint and minimize our impact on the environment.

Renewable energy helps combat climate change in several ways. First, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuel-based energy production. As more renewable energy is integrated into the grid, the overall carbon intensity of electricity generation decreases, which is a critical step toward meeting climate goals.

Second, renewable energy sources are often more energy-efficient and produce electricity with higher energy returns on energy investment (EROEI) compared to fossil fuels. This efficiency reduces resource consumption and environmental degradation associated with energy production.

Lastly, renewable energy technologies continue to improve and become more cost-effective, making them increasingly attractive alternatives to fossil fuels. Widespread adoption of renewables can lead to decreased reliance on fossil fuels, helping to slow down global warming and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Overall, the transition to renewable energy is a key strategy in the fight against climate change, as it not only reduces emissions but also helps create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy system.

Dr Gaurav H Tandon thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Switching to clean sources of energy, such as wind and solar, thus helps address not only climate change but also air pollution and health. Electricity from renewable resources such as solar, geothermal, and wind generally does not contribute to climate change or local air pollution since no fuels are combusted. There is no path to protecting the climate without dramatically changing how we produce and use electricity: nearly 40% of US CO2 pollution comes from power plants burning fossil fuels. But we can turn things around. Renewable energy minimizes carbon pollution and has a much lower impact on our environment. Solar energy, much like wind, is one of the most sustainable energy sources currently available. In fact, given its modular and scalable nature where it can be utilized as part of massive solar fields or mounted on individual homes it may be the most practical form of sustainable energy in use today. Non-renewable energy sources result in the waste of coal or natural gas. This requires additional energy and environmental mitigation. For this reason, the efficiency of usable energy for the least efficient source of energy coal comes in at a meager 29% of its original energy value. Renewable energy produces zero waste. There are no carbon emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change or air pollution. It is, thus, one of the best choices for countries combating the climate change problem. Renewable energy releases no harmful emissions. Cars would not run on gas, heat would not be produced by the burning of oil, etc. Air and water pollution not only kills the Earth, but it also kills humans too. Fossil fuel use, most prominently, the extraction of coal, releases toxic chemicals. Solar produces less life-cycle GHG emissions than conventional fossil fuel energy sources. While there may be some GHG emissions produced during the manufacturing and recycling of the solar system, the generation of energy results in zero GHG emissions and zero environmental impact. Nuclear is a zero-emission clean energy source. It generates power through fission, which is the process of splitting uranium atoms to produce energy. The heat released by fission is used to create steam that spins a turbine to generate electricity without the harmful byproducts emitted by fossil fuels. For instance, when compared to coal-fired power plants, electricity from renewable energy sources emits between 90 and 99% less greenhouse gases (GHGs) and produces 70 to 90% less pollutants. These technologies also create jobs and stimulate economic growth, which is essential for sustainable development.

Renewable energy sources are generally considered to be the least harmful to the environment when compared to fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Here's a breakdown of some key renewable energy sources and their environmental benefits, along with an explanation of how renewable energy can help combat climate change:

How Renewable Energy Helps Climate Change:

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal are less harmful to the environment compared to fossil fuels and can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy production. Transitioning to renewable energy is a vital step in addressing the global challenge of climate change.

Dr Narendra Kumar Maurya thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Renewable energy sources which are available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air. Renewable energy comes from the Earth's natural resources sunlight, wind, waves, the tides and geothermal heat from deep within our planet. It has two great advantages: unlike oil, coal and gas, it will never run out, and it's clean it doesn't pollute the planet or cause dangerous climate change. The effects of climate change are quickly escalating due to excess greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere that are trapping in excess heat from the sun. A way to reduce emissions and save our planet would be to would be to change our energy sources and switch to renewable energy sources. They differ from fossil fuels principally in their diversity, abundance and potential for use anywhere on the planet, but above all in that they produce neither greenhouse gases which cause climate change nor polluting emissions. Solar produces less life-cycle GHG emissions than conventional fossil fuel energy sources. While there may be some GHG emissions produced during the manufacturing and recycling of the solar system, the generation of energy results in zero GHG emissions and zero environmental impact. Renewable and energy efficiency, boosted by substantial electrification, can provide over 90% of the necessary reductions in energy-related carbon emissions. Because they do not burn fossil fuels, these renewable energy sources do not release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as they generate electricity. Nuclear energy also creates no greenhouse gas emissions, so it can be thought of as a solution to climate change. Fossil fuels, when burned to produce energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide. Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels. Solar energy, much like wind, is one of the most sustainable energy sources currently available. In fact, given its modular and scalable nature where it can be utilized as part of massive solar fields or mounted on individual homes it may be the most practical form of sustainable energy in use today. Using fossil fuels for energy has exacted an enormous toll on humanity and the environment from air and water pollution to global warming. That's beyond all the negative impacts from petroleum-based products such as plastics and chemicals.