It is energy that occurs naturally and repeatedly in the environment; from the sun, the wind and the sea, or from plants and the motion of water. It includes energy produced from waste and the clean technology of fuel cells.
Supplies of oil, gas and coal are limited. At current rates of consumption only coal is predicted to be available in significant quantities at the end of the 21st century. Burning fossil fuels also produces pollutants which can lead to environmental problems, such as acid rain and the "greenhouse effect".
Renewable energy produces few, if any, harmful emissions. Exploiting renewables also reduces the rate at which other resources are consumed. Most importantly, they will never run out. With the world's population continuing to grow, renewables promise to play an increasingly significant role in the future.
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