Final answer:
About 90% of our energy comes from fossil fuels due to their availability, cost, energy density, and environmental impact. Factors considered when choosing an energy source include availability, cost, efficiency, and environmental impact. Renewable energies are gaining traction but face challenges in efficiency and cost compared to fossil fuels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Approximately 90% of our energy resources come from fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas, and coal. This dominance is largely due to factors including: availability, cost, energy density, and environmental impact. Fossil fuels like coal and gas are the primary sources for electricity production, with coal producing nearly twice the carbon emissions of gas. The environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption is significant, as it includes air and water pollution, land use impact, and large carbon dioxide emissions.
When choosing an energy source, four key factors are typically taken into account:
- Availability - How readily accessible the energy source is.
- Cost - The economic feasibility of the energy source including initial investment and ongoing expenses.
- Efficiency - How effectively the energy source can be converted into usable energy.
- Environmental Impact - The effect of the energy source on the environment, including emissions and resource extraction implications.
- These factors contribute to the sustained use of fossil fuels despite growing interests in renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and biomass, which present alternatives with lower environmental impacts. Nonetheless, renewable energies are becoming more appealing due to technological advancements, climate change concerns, and the potential for decentralized energy production.