Energy Challenges in the Face of Climate Change
Learn how the world can transform its energy use to fight climate change.
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What Is Water Scarcity?
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Climate Action Includes Transforming Energy Systems
Energy is essential for modern society. It drives economic growth, enables transportation and communication, and powers the technologies that humans rely on in their daily lives.
At the same time, energy consumption is one of the core drivers of greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most important steps in the fight against climate change therefore involves transforming the way the world produces and uses energy.
The transition to clean energy includes two main processes. The first involves replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy like wind and solar. The second includes replacing devices that run on fossil fuels with electric alternatives. Each of those processes poses new challenges, such as storing excess energy for when wind and solar power are unavailable or securing a stable supply of the critical minerals used in clean energy technology.
Rising demand for energy worldwide compounds these challenges. Policymakers and energy providers have to think not only about transitioning to renewables, but also about finding ways to increase energy efficiency and develop new infrastructure to keep up with growing economies and new energy-intensive industries.
Meanwhile, the effects of climate change already threaten vital energy infrastructure. Alongside the transition to green energy, building more resilient energy systems will also be a core challenge in adapting to climate change.
Policymakers and energy providers are already taking steps to improve energy systems. Renewable energy infrastructure is in development around the world, new technologies are under research, and more climate-conscious energy policies are guiding countries toward a greener future. But climate experts stress that the pace of progress needs to increase dramatically to meet the energy challenges that emerge in the face of climate change.