A review of renewable energy sources, sustainability issues and climate change mitigation

• Published in: Cogent engineering Vol. 3; no. 1; p. 1167990
• Main Authors: Owusu, Phebe Asantewaa, Asumadu-Sarkodie, Samuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Cogent 31-12-2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; carbon footprint; Clean energy; Climate change; climate change mitigation; Economic development; Energy policy; Energy resources; Energy sources; Energy utilization; Environmental impact; environmental sustainability engineering; Raw materials; Renewable energy; Renewable energy sources; Renewable resources; sustainability issues
• ISSN: 2331-1916; 2331-1916
• DOI: 10.1080/23311916.2016.1167990

The world is fast becoming a global village due to the increasing daily requirement of energy by all population across the world while the earth in its form cannot change. The need for energy and its related services to satisfy human social and economic development, welfare and health is increasing. Returning to renewables to help mitigate climate change is an excellent approach which needs to be sustainable in order to meet energy demand of future generations. The study reviewed the opportunities associated with renewable energy sources which includes: Energy Security, Energy Access, Social and Economic development, Climate Change Mitigation, and reduction of environmental and health impacts. Despite these opportunities, there are challenges that hinder the sustainability of renewable energy sources towards climate change mitigation. These challenges include Market failures, lack of information, access to raw materials for future renewable resource deployment, and our daily carbon footprint. The study suggested some measures and policy recommendations which when considered would help achieve the goal of renewable energy thus to reduce emissions, mitigate climate change and provide a clean environment as well as clean energy for all and future generations.