How are fossil fuels causing climate change?
Do you know where fossil fuels like coal, petrol, and gas come from? They come from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago. Burning these fuels provides us with electricity which runs our homes, cars, etc.
When these fossil fuels are burnt, they also release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that makes Earth hotter, making life difficult for all humans and animals. This is called climate change.
How is clean energy different from fossil fuels?
Clean energy, also known as renewable energy, is produced from things available in the environment like sunshine, wind, and water. Every day when the sun rises or the wind blows, we get a brand new source of this energy.
Clean energy doesn’t damage the environment. That’s why it’s the best way to fight climate change.
What is up with California and clean energy?
California is a state in the United States. On 8th May 2022, it produced all the electricity it needed using only clean energy. This energy came from the sun, wind, water, etc. California couldn’t run on renewable energy all day though, just for a short while.
Why doesn’t California switch to 100 percent clean energy all the time?
Just getting energy from the sun, wind, water, etc., isn’t enough. We have to get so much energy from them that we can use it and store it for when they aren’t around. But producing and storing so much renewable energy isn’t possible right now. For this, California will need lots of time and money.
Without this storage, California may lose electricity when renewable energy is not available. Until then, petrol power plants must keep running as a backup.
So, we’re stuck with fossil fuels forever?
Nope. Scientists are figuring out how to create and store more renewable energy. California using 100 percent renewables, even if for a short while, is a phenomenal first step in that direction. By the time you grow up, hopefully, we all will be using 100 percent clean energy all the time.