A New Chapter of Wind
One of the most groundbreaking moments in our world’s history is when coal was first used to harness energy in the 1880s. Ever since this moment, the reliance on coal has grown to unprecedented heights, to the point where it has been detrimental to the world. In the last 20 years, the issue of climate change has been at the forefront of every major conversation involving coal. The polluting impact of climate change has caused the use of coal to become frowned upon by many environmentalists. But at the same time, there has been a resurrection in the world of energy. Sustainable energy sources like solar and wind power have become capable of the same functions that coal has been beneficial for in the last century.
Solar panels and wind turbines operating on a sunny day in a California desert (Planetizen)
The decline of coal as a source of energy is happening faster than anyone expected. Renewable energy generation in America exceeded coal-fired power in 2020 and 2022, but this is only when hydropower. This year, however, it has been different. For the first time ever, wind and solar power generated more power than coal. Power markets have witnessed a precipitous drop in coal-fired generation this year, driven by low natural gas prices, a mild winter and a wave of coal plant retirements. This signifies a major change as America continues to focus on transitioning to cleaner forms of energy. Although this trend is terrible for the coal industry, the changes signify a promising future.
Solar and wind power are now cheaper than fossil fuels for the first time in history. A major disadvantage of renewable energy is now insignificant. (DW)
Coal generated almost half of the country's energy as recently as 2008. This puts into perspective the extent to which the production has decreased. But the rapid decline in the past two years has been even more significant, as the U.S. has retired around 14 gigawatts of coal capacity, or roughly 7 percent of the coal fleet, since the start of 2022.
This development is a major boost to the green movement and efforts to slow carbon dioxide emission: Carbon Monitor, an emissions tracker run by academics, estimates U.S. emissions were down 5.6 percent through April compared with the same time in 2022. Power sector emissions were down by nearly 1 percent. This can be linked to the decline in coal emissions, as it accounted for 55 percent of power sector emissions in 2022, according to EPA data, despite representing just 20 percent of total power generation.
Data showing the trends of each type of electricity generation. Renewable energy has surpassed coal for the first time as of 2022. (Statista)
Overall, the results that environmentalists have been clamoring for are finally starting to show. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are gradually starting to overtake the premier energy source of the last century. People should look at these trends and be optimistic about our planet’s future. If humans can continue to put the issue of climate change and carbon dioxide emission at the forefront of their agenda, the world is in safe hands.
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