Climate Action
Renewable Energy Will Take Us from Coal to Clean
February 4, 2025
2025 marks the first time in history that renewables are expected to surpass coal use globally, claiming the top spot as the world’s leading source of energy production. This puts the industry on track for a net-zero power grid in the U.S. as early as 2035. Despite this milestone, many skeptics tout high costs, implementation challenges, and dependability issues on the feasibility of a full transition.
They are wrong. Renewable energy is happening now and will power the future. This is how to win the skeptics over.
Cleaning up on Costs
A notable concern of most clean energy critics is money. On the consumer level, the issue of upfront costs associated with renewable sources such as solar panel installation is often a deterrent. However, the truth is that the cost of solar energy for the individual has decreased by nearly 90% over the past decade and continues to drop.
So while on a personal level it is becoming cheaper to install solar on our own homes, even if we cannot do that, renewable energy is becoming more affordable to buy from your energy supplier too.
In fact, almost all of the big five — solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and tidal — have experienced a sharp decline in cost. The price of wind energy has dropped by 70%, tidal by 40%, and geothermal by 25%.
With a growing emphasis on sustainability, companies are finding that investing in renewable energy not only benefits the environment but also fosters a thriving economy. Projections show that the reduction of pollution and climate issues alone will save the global economy $4.2 trillion by 2030. In addition to these savings, renewable energy offers other financial perks like lower maintenance costs, energy independence, and a new growing job market.
A Workforce in Transition
Of course, a growing job market in the renewable energy sector inevitably means phasing out work in the fossil fuel industries. This shift is already underway, with renewable energy jobs making up over 40% of the country’s energy industry, a startling reality for those whose livelihoods have up until recently depended on coal mining, oil drilling, or other fossil fuel-related work.
Many energy companies have committed to retraining their workforce, preparing employees for roles within their expanding renewable energy divisions, and equipping them with the skills needed for jobs in solar panel installation, wind turbine maintenance, and energy storage technologies. LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills report, 2024 backed up the need for a more green-skilled workforce, as did another report from the World Bank. This is why EDO is calling for the teaching of climate education in all schools across the planet to arm future workers and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills they will need. Our report, Climate Education vs. The Climate Crisis makes the case for the universal teaching of climate education.
Similarly, the energy industry itself has been anticipating this ‘clean’ energy transition and has taken steps to minimize barriers to entry. Transferable skills such as project management, technical expertise, and Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) knowledge are highly valued across both sectors, making it easier for workers to adapt to new roles.
With over 12.7 million jobs in renewable energy globally, the sector is experiencing significant growth. Reflecting this trend, wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers rank as the top two fastest-growing jobs in the country.
Dispelling Doubts: The Case for Renewable Energy Reliability
In case any of you are still skeptical – here are a few more compelling points to consider.
On the issue of reliability, some worry that because solar and wind power are dependent on weather conditions, they cannot consistently meet energy demands, and energy production will be intermittent.
While it’s true that solar panels generate less electricity on cloudy days and wind turbines produce less energy during calm periods, advancements in energy storage and technology are making renewables much more dependable. Solar storage systems, such as solar batteries, capture energy generated during the day and store it for use at night or on cloudy days, ensuring a consistent and reliable power supply. Similarly, wind energy can be stored in batteries allowing surplus energy generated during windy periods to be saved and utilized when wind speeds are low.
Innovations in technology are also improving capture and storage capabilities at an unprecedented rate. Wind and solar energy storage capacity doubled between 2022 and 2023, marking a significant milestone in the effort to enhance grid reliability and accommodate the growing shift to renewable energy sources. Additionally, scientists at Stanford recently retrofitted commercial solar panels to capture energy at night, something once thought impossible.
Fossil fuels will never be reliable, as they are finite resources that will eventually run out unlike renewables, which offer an infinite and sustainable energy supply.
The momentum behind renewables is undeniable, and with continued advancements and collective action, a clean and sustainable energy future is not only feasible but inevitable.
Let’s keep the momentum going! Join EARTHDAY.ORG’s Our Power, Our Planet drive, calling on global leaders to pave the way for a sustainable future through a switch to renewables. We invite you to sign here.