Energy and Climate Change

The need for sustainable energy has become one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. As the global population grows and industrialization continues to expand, the demand for energy is rapidly increasing. However, the world’s continued reliance on fossil fuels—such as coal, oil, and natural gas—has led to severe environmental consequences, including air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. To address these issues and ensure a healthier, more stable future, transitioning to sustainable energy sources is essential.

Sustainable energy refers to energy derived from resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. These sources produce little to no harmful emissions and have a much lower environmental impact compared to traditional fossil fuels. Solar panels and wind turbines, for example, generate electricity without emitting carbon dioxide, helping to combat global warming. Additionally, many sustainable energy systems require less water and do not pollute the air, which contributes to better public health and cleaner ecosystems.

Economically, investing in sustainable energy also offers significant benefits. The renewable energy sector has become a major source of job creation, with opportunities in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research. As technology advances, the cost of producing and storing renewable energy continues to decline, making it more competitive with conventional energy sources. Energy independence is another key advantage, as countries that develop their own renewable energy infrastructure can reduce their reliance on imported fossil fuels, enhancing national security and economic stability.

From a social perspective, sustainable energy can improve quality of life, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Off-grid solar or wind systems can provide electricity to remote communities that lack access to centralized power grids, enabling access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

However, the transition to sustainable energy requires strong political will, public support, and substantial investment. Governments and private sectors must work together to create policies, incentives, and infrastructure that support clean energy innovation and adoption.

In conclusion, the need for sustainable energy is not just about protecting the environment—it is about ensuring long-term economic prosperity, social equity, and global stability. Embracing sustainable energy is no longer optional; it is a necessary step toward a more resilient and just future for all.

 

Notice: The above summary was written by ChatGPT, a free artificial intelligence (AI) program. I asked it to write 400 words about the need for sustainable energy, which it did in about two seconds. The summary is comprehensive, well-organized, and accurate, but it lacks the distinctive “voice” of a human author. You’ll rarely find clever or memorable phrases in AI writing nor any irony, humor, or passion. Climate change is an emergency, a clear and present danger to life as we’ve known it, but this AI text reads as if it were written by a soulless machine, which it was. Mark Twain it ain’t.

Another weakness of AI writing is like that of social media: there is no referee or editor.  Because AI “learns” what it knows by processing vast amounts of information, often from the Internet, and because a large proportion of that information is false, AI-generated text is prone to what are called “hallucinations.” An Ethics and Information Technology article argues that AI text products are “indifferent to the truth of their outputs,” with statements only accidentally true and accidentally false. Consequently, AI writing must be carefully fact-checked. I checked every fact and claim in the above summary and found them all accurate.

To process information, AI requires data centers (pictured) which consume enormous amounts of energy, as much as 3 percent of all U.S. electricity this year, projected to increase significantly. This raises electricity rates for consumers and demands more energy sources—preferably sustainable—in a competition between power to the people and power to the machines.