The United States currently uses a wide variety of energy sources to power itself. The United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that in 2016 energy consumption looked like this: Natural gas – 33% Oil – 28% Coal – 17% Renewable energy – 12% Nuclear electric power – 10% Over the last century, our energy consumption has increased. focuses primarily on the three main fossil fuels: oil, natural gas and coal. Fossil fuels have enabled meteoric growth; : it is no exaggeration to say that the 20th century was built on them. Never before in human history has there been such an acceleration in the fields of technology, science and medicine thanks to the seemingly limitless power of oil. But this rapid and unprecedented growth comes at a high price. Carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels have a disastrous impact on our atmosphere and environment. In the last twenty years alone, almost 75% of human emissions came from the burning of fossil fuels, the majority of which was used for transportation. If we want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, America must develop a practical, large-scale solution to its dependence on fossil fuels. And that remedy is renewable energy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay The Potential of Renewable Energy Renewable energy, also called alternative energy, is usable energy derived from naturally restorative sources, including l solar, wind, river, hot springs, tides and biomass energy. Its implications on health and the environment are indisputable: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air, preservation of nature and the possibility of stopping the advance of climate change. But for all their myriad benefits, renewable energy has proven expensive to produce and an inefficient and unattractive alternative to natural gas. Until now. Last year, the renewable energy sector broke major records in almost every category, citing the technology's increased profitability and efficiency. In a very short time, renewable energy has become a major contender to replace fossil fuels in the decades to come. A recent study from the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) paints a fairly optimistic picture. According to their calculations, the United States will be able to produce most of its electricity – almost 80% – from renewable energy by 2050. The majority of this energy comes from wind turbines and solar (photovoltaic) sources. And this is done using existing technology – not to mention the innovations that will undoubtedly arrive in the years to come. But many American cities aren't waiting to transform their energy use from fossil fuels to green alternatives. Major metropolises, including San Diego, San Francisco and Rochester, Minnesota, are already on track to achieve 100% renewable energy status by 2030. This should come as no surprise. Meeting urgent, seemingly impossible challenges with ingenuity and courage is inherent to the American character. From a purely economic point of view, the renewable energy sector also offers enormous potential for job creation. Employment in the solar industry alone increased nearly 25 percent in 2016 from the previous year, reaching a.