Goal 7: Affordable & Clean Energy

Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replenish themselves. Unlike fossil fuels, which took millions of years to form and will run out, renewable sources are continuously available. The sun delivers enough energy to Earth in one hour to power human civilization for a year—we just need to capture it.

Major renewable energy sources:

• Solar Power: Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar is now the cheapest electricity source in history.
• Wind Energy: Turbines convert wind's kinetic energy into electricity. One turbine can power 1,400 homes.
• Hydroelectric: Flowing water spins turbines to generate power. Provides 16% of global electricity.
• Geothermal: Uses Earth's internal heat for power and direct heating. Available 24/7 regardless of weather.
• Biomass: Organic materials like wood and agricultural waste produce energy through combustion or conversion.
• Tidal & Wave: Ocean movements generate predictable, consistent power in coastal areas.

Energy efficiency means getting the same results while using less energy. The average household wastes 30% of its energy—about $500 per year. Small changes add up: if every home replaced one incandescent bulb with an LED, it would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 800,000 cars from roads.

Practical efficiency improvements:

• Switch to LED bulbs - they use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer
• Unplug devices when not in use - "vampire power" costs households $100+ annually
• Use programmable thermostats to reduce heating and cooling waste
• Insulate homes properly to maintain temperature with less energy
• Choose ENERGY STAR appliances that use 10-50% less energy
• Use natural lighting and ventilation when possible

Energy production accounts for 73% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂ that warms the planet, causing sea level rise, extreme weather, and ecosystem collapse. But the transition to clean energy is accelerating—renewable energy jobs grew to 12 million worldwide by 2020 and continue to expand.

Benefits of clean energy transition:

• Reduces air pollution that causes 7 million deaths annually
• Creates millions of new jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance
• Provides energy independence and security for countries
• Lowers energy costs as technology improves and scales
• Protects ecosystems and biodiversity from extraction damage
• Slows climate change to prevent catastrophic impacts