Biofuels (Ethanol, Biodiesel, and Biomass) Biofuels are made from crops/plants. Biofuels produce carbon dioxide when they are burned, but remove carbon dioxide from the air as a plant. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of energy to grow crops and most of that energy comes from fossil fuels. Coal Burning coal pollutes the air with carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and mercury. There is a new technology being developed called “Clean Coal”. This should remove the harmful materials from the coal before it is burned. The “Clean Coal” technology should also make coal more energy efficient; less coal would need to be burned for energy.
Geothermal Geothermal energy uses the heat of the earth to create energy. No fuels are burned; therefore, the carbon dioxide emissions are low.
Hydropower Hydropower is created by the force of water flowing through dams. Hydropower does not pollute the air, but dams affect fish populations and their migration patterns.
Petroleum (Gas and Oil) Petroleum releases carbon dioxide and other pollutant when it is burned. There is a limited amount of petroleum on earth and one day it will run out.
Solar Solar energy does not harm the environment directly. Although, there are some toxic chemicals produced by manufacturing solar panels. Solar panels are only manufactured once and provide clean energy.
Nuclear Nuclear energy uses nuclear fission the create energy. It does not pollute the air. Water is used for cooling, which pollutes the water and effects fish. Nuclear and radioactive waste is a byproduct of nuclear power plants. Once the plant is closed, the land can not be used for anything else.
Wind Wind energy is clean because it does not pollute water or air. Windmills are most harmful to birds, but improvements have been made to make them less harmful.