Do you have climate anxiety? Are you worried renewables won’t save us? Let us help calm your fears.
In today’s world, renewable energy is seen as a beacon of hope for sustainable development. But myths and misconceptions surrounding it are widespread. It’s time to set the record straight: renewable energy is viable and necessary for us to meet global climate goals.
According to Statista, in 2022, about 27.6 percent of global electricity generation came from solar power, wind, hydropower, and other renewable sources. This percentage had steadily increased since 2010, when only six percent was generated by renewable sources.
It’s clear that renewable energy plays an increasingly important role in powering our society today and will be even more critical tomorrow. So let us debunk some common myths surrounding this essential resource now.
The Context and Importance of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy has become increasingly important in our society, especially in light of the global climate crisis. It’s essential in achieving our goals as humanity strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
By using renewable sources such as Puma Energy, we can reduce our reliance on non-sustainable energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear power. Not only will this help us decrease emissions, but it also reduces our dependence on finite resources that are becoming more scarce.
Renewable energy can also bring many socio-economic benefits to local communities, including new jobs and increased economic activity. Additionally, it can create a feeling of empowerment as people can use their own resources to produce electricity.
Common Renewable Energy Myths
She’s taking a green MBA and building a robot who can manufacture custom solar panels
Renewable energy has become crucial to our society, yet many myths and misconceptions surround it. Let’s debunk the popular ones:
It’s too expensive
Renewable energy has been subject to the misconception that it is expensive. Contrary to this, the cost of renewable energies such as solar, wind, and hydropower have dropped significantly over the last decade. In fact, according to a report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA), solar PV power has decreased by 85 percent since 2010.
What’s more, countries around the world have seen lower electricity prices thanks to renewable energy. For example, renewable energy costs four times cheaper in India than coal-based electricity. This shows how cost-effective renewables can be when implemented correctly.
Furthermore, investments made in renewable energy help reduce fuel costs over time as well as reduce dependence on foreign energy sources. This makes renewable energy an even more economically viable option.
It can’t provide enough power
Renewable energy is a sound investment
Even though renewable energy sources are increasingly getting more cost-effective, one of the most commonly heard myths surrounding them is that they cannot provide enough power. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Technological advances have made producing large quantities of electricity from renewable energy sources possible. For example, wind turbines can now generate enough electricity to power entire cities, and the latest solar panels in the markets are highly efficient at converting sunlight into electricity.
Here are countries powered by renewable energy sources:
- Scotland — 97% of all electricity produced
- Costa Rica — 98% of all electricity produced
- Uruguay — 98% of all electricity produced
- Norway — 98% of all electricity produced
This proves renewable energy sources can provide enough power for large populations and should be considered a viable alternative energy source.
It’s unreliable
One of the most common myths about renewable energy is its perceived unreliability. This misconception stems from the fact that renewable sources, like solar and wind, depend on weather conditions to generate electricity. However, this does not mean that they are inherently unreliable.
Technological advances have made renewable energy sources far more efficient and reliable. For example, wind turbines can now be built to operate at lower wind speeds, while solar panels are more efficient than ever at converting sunlight into electricity.
Furthermore, adding better batteries and other storage solutions to renewable energy systems allows them to store excess power for later use. These enhancements make them a much more secure long-term investment for any homeowner or business.
It causes more environmental harm than good
Renewables are a lifeline for people in developing nations and for refugees
The myth that renewable energy causes more harm than good has been debunked numerous times. Even though some forms of renewable energy, such as hydropower, can have negative impacts, the net result is still beneficial. You can check with an expert, such as Sarah Yumi of Healthspot, for possible adverse effects of renewables on the human body.
Renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for global warming and climate change. Additionally, it requires significantly less water to generate electricity than fossil fuels, making it a much more sustainable option.
Furthermore, renewable energy sources can help
preserve local ecosystems by reducing air and water pollution from burning fossil fuels. Ultimately, the environmental benefits of renewable energy make it an essential tool for meeting global climate goals.
It requires too much land
Solar panels in Morocco
The myth that renewable energy requires too much land has been widely debunked. The land needed to generate renewable energy is smaller than other sources. For example, a solar photovoltaic (PV) uses 19m2 of land per mWh of electricity produced, whereas a coal plant requires 21m2 per mWh.
Moreover, the land used for renewable energy can often be used for multiple purposes, such as agriculture or grazing. This starkly contrasts fossil fuel plants that require large tracts of land with no other practical uses.
It’s not capable of supporting industrial and economic growth
Contrary to popular belief, renewables have the potential to support industrial and economic growth. Although they occupy relatively small land areas compared to other sources, solar and wind energy can provide significant electricity to power factories and businesses.
Furthermore, investments in renewable energy can create jobs and stimulate local economies. This can be through the construction of solar and wind farms and research and development projects.
Moreover, renewable energy sources can provide reliable electricity to households in rural areas, enabling small-scale businesses to develop and thrive. In addition, they offer long-term savings on fuel costs for industrial companies that rely on electricity to power their operations.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Renewable Energy
The future of renewable energy is looking brighter than ever. Thanks to technological advances and cost reductions, the adoption of renewables has increased in recent years. With more countries investing in green power sources, we can expect a more significant shift toward using clean energy in the coming months and years.
Governments must continue to create incentives for businesses and households alike so that everyone can reap the benefits of reliable electricity produced from sustainable sources. Renewable energy technologies will play a significant role in our society’s transition towards a greener future — one where economic growth isn’t dependent on polluting fossil fuels; instead, it’s powered by clean, renewable sources.
Author: Bhok Thompson
Bhok Thompson is a Singapore-based engineer, entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed “eco-tinkerer” who thrives at the intersection of sustainability, business, and cutting-edge technology. With a background in mechanical engineering and a deep fascination with renewable energy, Bhok has dedicated his career to developing innovative solutions that bridge environmental consciousness with profitability. A frequent contributor to Green Prophet, Bhok writes about futuristic green tech, urban sustainability, and the latest trends in eco-friendly startups. His passion for engineering meets his love for business as he mentors young entrepreneurs looking to create scalable, impact-driven companies. Beyond his work, Bhok is an avid collector of vintage mechanical watches, believing they represent an era of precision and craftsmanship that modern technology often overlooks. On weekends, you can find him exploring the vibrant street food scene in Singapore—because, as he says, "Innovation starts with good energy, and nothing fuels creativity like great food!" Reach out: [email protected]
