Fossil fuels supply the majority of the world’s energy today; they provide electricity, heat and transportation we need, as well as power the processes that manufacture and produce the vast array of products we use today.
Fossil fuels are energy sources that are created when decomposing plants and organisms are buried beneath layers of sediment and rock. The three major types of fossil fuels are coal, crude oil, and natural gas. The latter is also the fossil fuel used to generate electricity in Singapore.
The largest issue with fossil fuels is that they are finite resources, which means that they are non-renewable and will deplete as global demand rises. Besides, they are one of the largest contributors to global warming.
As climate change continues to cause extreme weather events and a rise in daily temperatures, environmental activists are urging businesses and governments to replace use of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is drawn from natural sources that can be replaced quickly, sometimes at a faster rate than they are consumed. For example, solar power draws energy from the sun, which will not deplete with continuous use. They also produce far less emissions and have a much lower environmental impact.
Why is Renewable Energy Important
The burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat within the earth. The continued use of non-renewable energy resources has negative consequences for our health, wellbeing, and the environment as they also release pollutants that pollute our ecosystem. The impact we experience will vary depending on the type of energy source used. For example, coal-fired power plants release mercury, which can settle on the ground or end up in our waters and convert into toxic substances that enter our food chain. Studies have shown that mercury exposure has been linked to neurological and neuro-behavioural effects in embryos and young children.
Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter are among the other air pollutants produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. They can cause acid rain, eutrophication (the excessive richness of nutrients in a body of water, which causes a dense growth of harmful algal blooms, dead zones and fish kills), damage to crops and forests, and harm to wildlife. The extraction of fossil fuels also produces waste and pollutants.
In contrast, renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, do not release pollutants or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and cannot be depleted. Although they were a much more expensive source of energy in the past, they are gradually becoming cost-effective and affordable as technology advances and the adoption of renewable energy sources increases.
By using renewable energy, we drastically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases and pollutants released into the atmosphere, thereby reducing the harmful effects our actions have on the environment. Furthermore, it contributes to better public health, the creation of new jobs, economic benefits, as well as ensuring resilience and stability.
Many believe that renewable energy is the future, and as the world fights global warming to keep temperatures from rising above 1.5℃, renewable energy sources are the most effective way to protect the environment.
Renewable Energy in Singapore
Solar energy is Singapore‘s most abundant renewable energy source; all it takes is sunlight and solar PV systems to generate the necessary electricity. Solar panel installation and maintenance are also simple, and there are companies that will oversee the entire installation process and manage the panels for the duration of their life. Interested in installing solar panels on your roof?
Union Solar currently develops, owns and operates a network of rooftop solar PV systems to power buildings and homes in Singapore. Contact us today to find out more about going solar.