Renewable energy sources can help reduce the impact of climate change on people. Climate change is mostly caused by greenhouse gas emissions, so moving to renewable energy is really important. In the UK, about 42% of greenhouse gas emissions come from producing electricity and heat.

Facts About Renewable Energy Growth

1. Solar and Wind Energy Worldwide:

   • By 2022, the world's solar energy capacity reached around 1,000 gigawatts (GW), which was a 20% increase from the year before.
   • Wind energy also grew, with global capacity surpassing 850 GW by the end of 2022.

2. UK's Renewable Energy Goals:

   • The UK plans to have net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2021, renewable energy made up about 42% of all electricity generated in the UK. This was the first time it outperformed fossil fuels.
   • The government’s support for renewable energy has helped lower offshore wind energy costs by 70% since 2012.

Benefits for the Environment and Society

Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and water power help lower carbon emissions and clean the air. A 2020 study found that moving to cleaner energy could save around 7 million people worldwide from dying early due to air pollution each year.

1. Jobs:

   • According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the renewable energy sector provided jobs for more than 11 million people around the world in 2018. This creates many chances for economic growth, especially in poorer countries.

2. Energy Independence:

   • By focusing on local renewable energy, countries can rely less on imported fossil fuels. This helps make their energy supply safer. In the UK, the renewable energy sector could create over 300,000 jobs by 2030.

Challenges and Things to Think About

Even though renewable energy has many advantages, there are still some challenges:

• Unpredictability: Solar and wind energy can vary, which means we need to improve how we store energy.
• Infrastructure Needs: We need to invest a lot in updating our energy systems to manage more renewable energy.

In summary, renewable energy sources not only help lessen the effects of climate change but also provide jobs, cleaner air, and other benefits that can support sustainable growth for people everywhere.