Energy powers everything we do, from turning on the lights to charging our phones. But have you ever wondered where this energy comes from?
Let’s explore renewable energy and non-renewable energy—how they work, their impacts on communities and industries, and what makes them so important for the future.
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What Is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy comes from sources that nature can keep making over and over again. Think about it like this: if you pick apples from a tree, but the tree grows more apples every season, that’s like renewable energy. Some examples are:
– Sunlight (Solar Energy): Using the sun’s rays to make electricity.
– Wind (Wind Energy): Using wind to spin turbines that generate power.
– Water (Hydropower): Capturing the movement of water in rivers or dams to produce energy.
– Heat from the Earth (Geothermal Energy): Tapping into the natural heat deep under the ground.
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What Is Non-Renewable Energy?
Non-renewable energy comes from resources that take millions of years to form, and once we use them, they’re gone for good—like eating all the cookies in the jar and realizing you can’t bake more. Examples include:
– Coal: A black rock we burn to make electricity.
– Oil: A liquid used to make gasoline for cars.
– Natural Gas: A cleaner-burning fossil fuel often used for cooking and heating.
– Nuclear Energy: Made by splitting tiny particles in a process that creates a lot of energy.
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How These Energy Sources Impact Communities and Industries
Renewable Energy Impacts
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Cleaner Air, Healthier People: Renewable energy doesn’t produce smoke or harmful gases. This means less pollution and fewer illnesses caused by dirty air.
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Jobs for the Future: Installing solar panels or wind turbines creates new jobs for local people. For example, in Kenya, the Africa Bioenergy Technologies project brings clean cooking and solar energy solutions to communities.
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Electricity in Remote Areas: Some villages in Africa now have lights at night because of companies like Greenlight Planet, which provide affordable solar home systems.
Industries benefit too! Factories can lower their electricity bills and reduce their impact on the environment by using renewable energy.
HAVE YOU READ?
Top 10 Solar Panel Companies in Kenya 2024
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Non-Renewable Energy Impacts
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Short-Term Growth, Long-Term Problems: Non-renewable energy is powerful and reliable, helping countries like Nigeria build industries quickly. However, burning fossil fuels leads to air pollution and climate change.
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Economic Dependence: In places like Angola, companies like Sonangol dominate the oil market. While they provide jobs, they also tie the economy to resources that might run out.
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Environmental Damage: Mining coal and drilling for oil can harm the land and water. Communities living nearby often face health risks.
