What’s renewable energy?
zRenewable energy systems transform incoming solar energy and its alternate forms (wind and river flow, etc.), usually without pollution-causing combustion
zThis energy is “renewed” by the sun and is “sustainable”
zRenewable energy is sustainable indefinitely, unlike long-stored, depleting energy from fossil fuels zRenewable energy from wind, solar, and water power emits no pollution or carbon dioxide zRenewable energy is “nonpolluting” since no combustion occurs (although the building of the components does in making steel, etc., for conversion machines does pollute during manufacture)
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Greenhouse gases threaten to increase the temperature of the Earth with long-term consequences. These are extremely lengthy processes, and there is debate about the cause and effects.
Coal provides a cheap, efficient source of heat, but it creates pollutants and CO2 through its combustion. Developing countries such as India and China rely heavily upon coal and thus have high concentrations of pollution. Far more pollution is expected from them in the future unless they can be convinced that renewable energy is preferable.