The Good, the Bad, and the Green: A Guide to Energy Sources by Environmental Impact

Energy powers everything in your daily life — your home, your phone and how you get to work. It’s the backbone of modern life, but how people produce it has big environmental consequences. Fossil fuels like oil and natural gas have fueled progress for decades, but they also pump harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

On the other hand, renewable energy offers cleaner solutions but comes with its own set of challenges, like land use and storage limitations. As demand keeps rising, the challenge is finding a balance between reliable power and a sustainable future.

The Good: Renewable Energy Sources

Solar Power

Solar energy changes how you power your life, turning sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic panels. Unlike fossil fuels, solar doesn’t burn anything, meaning it produces almost zero emissions while delivering clean, renewable energy. That’s why in 2024, solar and storage made up 84% of all new electric generating capacity added to the grid.

However, solar isn’t perfect. Large-scale projects require a lot of land, which can impact local ecosystems. Meanwhile, battery storage, while improving, still faces challenges like cost and efficiency. Even so, with continuous advancements in technology, solar energy is becoming more reliable, affordable and essential.

Hydropower

Hydropower gives you a way to generate electricity using the natural movement of water — from rivers, dams or waterfalls — with zero emissions and reliable output. It’s one of the oldest forms of renewable energy, and in 2023, it accounted for 5.7% of all U.S. utility-scale electricity generation.

Because water flow is steady, hydropower offers consistent power day and night, rain or shine. However, dams can disrupt river ecosystems, harm fish habitats and displace nearby communities. With smart planning and environmental safeguards, hydropower can continue influencing the clean energy transition.

Wind Energy

Wind power uses giant turbines to harness the wind and generate clean energy. Whether on land or offshore, these turbines produce zero emissions and take up less space than other sources — farms and ranches can even operate around them. In the U.S., wind power has grown by 60% since 2017, reaching about 142 gigawatts of capacity by the end of 2022.

Offshore wind farms take advantage of stronger, more consistent ocean winds, but wind energy isn’t without challenges. Turbines can pose risks to birds and bats, and some communities raise concerns about noise, aesthetics and the impact on scenic views. Still, with advancements in technology and better planning, wind power continues to be a breakthrough for clean systems.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy lets you tap into the Earth’s natural heat to generate electricity and warm buildings efficiently. Just 30 feet below the surface, temperatures stay between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Deeper underground, the heat is intense enough to produce steam that powers turbines. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal energy runs 24/7 with low emissions, which makes it one of the most reliable clean sources.

But there’s a catch — it only works in certain areas where underground heat is accessible, and drilling deep into the Earth can sometimes trigger minor seismic activity. Even with these challenges, geothermal energy is crucial for sustainable power because it offers a steady and eco-friendly way to keep the lights on.

The Bad: Fossil Fuels and Their Impact

Coal

Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel because it pumps out more CO2 emissions than any other source and accelerates climate change. Beyond its pollution, coal mining is incredibly destructive, tearing up landscapes and leaving behind toxic waste. Mining operations also pollute water sources as it contaminates rivers and groundwater with heavy metals and harmful chemicals.

Even after a mine shuts down, the environmental damage lingers, with degraded land and poisoned waterways lasting for decades. While coal once powered the world, its devastating impact on the planet makes it one of the least sustainable options today.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is often called a “cleaner” fossil fuel, but don’t be fooled. It still emits CO2 when burned and comes with serious environmental downsides. The real problem is methane leaks. Natural gas is mostly methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 84 times more powerful than CO2 over 20 years, meaning even small leaks can have a massive impact on climate change.

Then there’s fracking, a drilling method that can contaminate water, trigger small earthquakes and disrupt ecosystems. While natural gas burns cleaner than coal, its hidden costs make it far from the perfect solution for a sustainable future.

The Green: Emerging Sustainable Solutions

Hydrogen Energy

Green hydrogen could be the zero-emission fuel that changes everything. Unlike fossil fuels, it doesn’t release greenhouse gases when used. Its only by-products are water vapor and heat, which makes it one of the cleanest sources out there. You can use it to power vehicles, industries and cities without contributing to climate change.

However, producing green hydrogen is still pricey since it takes a lot of renewables to extract hydrogen from water. Plus, the infrastructure for storage and transportation is still developing. Even with these challenges, green hydrogen has the potential to be pivotal in the push for cleaner systems.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is one of the most efficient low-carbon sources. It gives you massive amounts of electricity with almost zero carbon emissions and CO2. Unlike fossil fuels, it doesn’t burn anything, making it crucial in reducing climate change. But while nuclear power is clean, it is not renewable and does come with significant challenges.

Safety concerns still loom, with the risk — though rare — of serious accidents. Then there’s the issue of nuclear waste, which stays radioactive for thousands of years and needs secure long-term storage. Despite these hurdles, nuclear energy is still considered to be one of the most reliable ways to produce clean electricity on a large scale.

Building a Cleaner Future With Sustainable Energy

Shifting to cleaner energy reduces pollution, fights climate change and secures a sustainable future. Supporting renewable innovations and policies prioritizing clean sources helps create a world that runs on power without harming the planet.