Environmental Science Assignment: Energy Sources and Sustainability

This assignment explores the critical topic of renewable versus non-renewable energy sources, emphasizing their significance in addressing global energy demands and mitigating climate change. The student provides an overview of the importance of shifting towards renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydro, considering the depletion of fossil fuels and the growing concerns about climate change. The research examines preliminary findings, highlighting the increasing role of renewable energy and the impact of consumption on economic growth and CO2 emissions. The assignment poses a research question: Is it possible to meet the growing energy needs of the planet with renewable sources? The hypothesis suggests that a balance between renewable and non-renewable sources, with a shift towards increased renewable energy usage, can meet energy needs and reduce carbon emissions. Works consulted include studies analyzing energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation, highlighting the importance of policies, public awareness, and technological adoption in promoting sustainable energy practices.

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Renewable Energy or non-Renewable energy
Part 1: Overview of your decision
The topic of renewable energy or non-renewable energy is of significant importance for
the planet. With the non-renewable energies depleting fast on the planet, and the energy
consumption growing at a steady pace, the world needs to rethink about its sources of energy. As
nonrenewable energies like coal, gas, and oil are created very slowly by natural processes, it is
not easy to replace them. It is essential for the world to find the right balance and look at
renewable energies like wind, solar and hydro. Distributed energy systems (DES) are becoming
more popular as there is a rise in the percentage of renewable energy sources in the energy
market (Wang et al. 1). I carry a deep interest in how the world will manage its energy needs,
knowing that fossil fuels are not going to last forever, and the climate-change threats are already
a growing concern.
Part 2: Examination of Preliminary Research
An overview of the research read thus far indicate the growing importance and increasing
role of renewable energy sources in energy markets around the world. With new scenarios
developing and different climate conditions mean different profiles for energy production and
demand. Different climate conditions and potentials would mean different portfolios for energy
supply for different countries (Wang et al. 31). At the same time consumption of renewable
energy impacts the economic growth adversely as pointed out by Lee and Jung (1312). The
renewable energy policise should be applied when the GDP is impressive and big enough. It

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suggests that policymakers should formulate suitable policies to sustain positive economic
growth when implementing renewable energy usage. CO2 emissions show constructive impacts
on trade and non-renewable energy and adverse consequences for renewable energy (Amri 382).
Another study compared the impacts of development and growth on demand for non-renewable
energy in both developed and developing countries. As there is an optimistic impact of
urbanization on consumption of non-renewable energy, it points to the need for developing a
more efficient strategy for urban energy consumption (Mrabet et al. 838). There is data based on
the long-run estimates that a rise in renewable energy consumption can curb environmental
degradation. The current and future regulatory plans and guidelines will play a significant role in
handling the augmented CO2 emissions due to non-renewable sources. Public awareness and
adoptions of environmentally-friendly technologies and renewable energy sources are of utmost
importance (Dogan and Ozturk 10853).
Part 3: Statement of the Research Question and Hypothesis
Research question- Is it possible to meet the growing energy needs of the planet with
renewable sources of energy?
Hypothesis – With the right balance of renewable and non- renewable sources of energy,
and a shift towards increased use of renewable energies, it is possible to meet the growing energy
needs of the planet and cut down carbon emissions.
Part 4: Works Consulted
Amri, Fethi. “Renewable and Non-Renewable Categories of Energy Consumption and Trade: Do
the Development Degree and the Industrialization Degree Matter?” Energy, 173.1( 2019):
374–383.

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Dogan, Eyup, and Ilhan Ozturk. “The Influence of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy
Consumption and Real Income on CO Emissions in the USA: Evidence from Structural
Break Tests.” Environmental Science & Pollution Research, 24.11(2017): 10846–10854.
Lee, Seong-Hoon, and Yonghun Jung. “Causal Dynamics between Renewable Energy
Consumption and Economic Growth in South Korea: Empirical Analysis and Policy
Implications.” Energy & Environment, 29.7(2018): 1298–1315.
Mrabet, Zouhair et al. “Urbanization and Non-Renewable Energy Demand: A Comparison of
Developed and Emerging Countries.” Energy, 170.1(2019):832–839.
Wang, Haichao, et al. “Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transitions for Countries with
Different Climates and Renewable Energy Sources Potentials.” Energies (19961073),
11.12( 2018):1-32.