The world is facing a wide range of environmental problems, from global climate change to resource depletion, and many nations are struggling to identify and implement sustainable solutions. One of the key areas of concern is the contribution of energy sources to global warming. While particular types of energy generation often have advantages over others in terms of emissions, the overall picture of which type of energy contributes to global warming is more complex than simply choosing ‘green’ sources.
It is well-established that the burning of fossil fuels produces the most significant share of greenhouse gases and contributes significantly to global warming. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas provide the predominant energy source for electricity generation, industrial and domestic use and transport, and are the primary source of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Burning these fuels results in the generation of carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to global warming. Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burned, released directly through the exhaust of machines, and from production processes such as steel plants. Other types of pollution, usually as a by-product of burning fossil fuels, also contribute to global warming, such as sulphur dioxide and methane.
The burning of wood, although renewable, is a significant contributor to global warming and air pollution. Deforestation combined with burning wood for fuel, such as for cooking and heating, results in increased levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, as well as black carbon particles. This has important but often overlooked ecological implications, as forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, when lost, releasing that carbon via burning and decomposition.
In recent years, governments and industries around the world have focussed on renewable forms of energy, citing them as a ‘green’ alternative to more traditional methods, primarily fossil fuels and wood. Though renewable forms of energy can produce fewer emissions than other sources, in particular solar and wind power, appropriate site selection, construction considerations, and resource availability can affect emissions resulting from the development of these sources. For example, the manufacturing of turbines and solar panels has environmental implications in terms of emissions, and the remoteness of some of these sites can reduce the efficiency of the energy generated – effectively resulting in additional emissions.
While the emergence of renewable sources of energy offers an option of reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production, a balanced approach is required to tackling global warming. In terms of energy generation, this means a variety of sources with different regulatory requirements, costs and implications. There is significant potential for a more diverse renewable energy mix, embracing different sites, and energy sources both on- and offshore. Governments need to maintain incentives and focus on cost-efficiency, and the public should strive to use energy more efficiently, through changing our behaviour, such as the production of more energy-efficient housing, or taking public transport instead of private cars.
In conclusion, the contribution of different energy sources to global warming is increasingly important for nations to consider in their attempts to pursue emissions targets. While a shift away from fossil fuels is necessary in the long-term, a range of energy sources could be used in the short-term to set us on a trajectory to a low-carbon economy. Government, industry and the public must work together to ensure that policies are effective, and that long-term strategies are in place.
