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Energy has been around since the dawn of time. Of course, the first energy source was the sun, which played a fundamental part in the way humans interacted and built societies. Then came the wind and water, which helped us generate basic mills.&nbsp;Fast forward a few decades, and the Industrial Revolution came along. With it, we started developing other sources of energy, which came to be known as electricity. Most people credit Benjamin Franklin with 'discovering' electricity in 1752. However, Franklin didn't discover electricity or even perform the first experiments associated with its discovery. But he did create the lightning hypothesis and experimental conditions to prove electricity was possible.&nbsp;TIP: To find out more about the discovery of electricity, search for French physicist Thomas-Francois Dailbard.&nbsp;<h1>Then Came Coal</h1>From around 1750, coal was used to power tools and machines during the industrial revolution. The first coal-powered steam engine was patented in 1769 by James Watt. Thanks to his machine, steam engines became more powerful and efficient – making them perfect for factories and mills.In some way or another, coal is still being used today to generate energy, mainly because it is one of the cheapest energy sources out there. According to RP Siegel, PE, President of Rain Mountain LLC and the co-author of the eco-thriller Vapor Trails, coal accounts for 40 percent of all-electric generation (down from 45 percent) and 21 percent of all energy in the U.S.&nbsp;But coal use and coal mining have a severe impact on the environment. Coal is a nonrenewable source and contains high levels of carbon dioxide. In addition, coal mining is the second-highest emitter of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.&nbsp;Not even clean coal is carbon-free. Clean coal is born from extensive research and new technologies used to reduce ash and sulfur dioxide emissions when the coal is burned. This form of cleaner coal is widely used now, and while it is better, it is not 100% clean.&nbsp;<h1>The Birth of Gas as an Energy Source</h1>Natural gas is a fossil energy source that forms deep beneath the earth's surface; therefore, it is a nonrenewable energy resource like coal.&nbsp;In 1821, William Hart dug the first successful natural gas well in the U.S. in Fredonia, New York. Later, the Fredonia Gas Light Company was formed, becoming the first American natural gas distribution company.However, the first commercialized natural gas occurred in Britain. In 1812 in the UK, Frederick Winsor created the first company to build public gas works and distribute gas to customers through a network of underground pipes.&nbsp;Soon Frederick's business opened up the markets for gas worldwide, transforming the everyday life of millions of people. Reliable light and heat were now available for everyone. Gas started being used to light London's streets. By 1827, London's network provided gas to almost 70,000 streetlights.Today, natural gas is a vital component of the world's supply of energy. Natural gas currently supplies more than one-half of the energy consumed by residential and commercial customers and about 41 percent of the energy used by the U.S. industry. In addition, gas is one of the cleanest, safest, and most valuable of all energy sources. However, natural gas has methane, a contributor to greenhouse gas.&nbsp;Regardless of this, natural gas is better for the environment than other fossil fuels. While natural gas is not as clean as solar or wind energy, it is the cleanest fossil fuel source available.<h1>Clean Energy Transition&nbsp;</h1>Many governments now realize the importance of having access to affordable clean energy and the impacts of fossil fuels on the environment. As a result, decarbonization, a rapid shift toward renewables, and more innovative energy use are now part of the world agenda. But as the United Nations suggests, we need to consider how to transition without disturbing the global job market and national energy grids.&nbsp;This is where the Sustainable Development Goals can offer us the framework to bridge the gap between the global energy issues and maintain the infrastructure that supports our lives today. For example, one of the targets for <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7">SDG #7 Affordable and Clean Energy</a> is to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by the year 2030.&nbsp;<h1>Renewable Energy Increase</h1>In our previous blog post on goal 7, <a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/clean-energy-using-earth-s-gifts-to-power-the-world?redirect_to=%2Fblog%3Flimit%3D9%26offset%3D9%23clean-energy-using-earth-s-gifts-to-power-the-world">Clean Energy Using Earth's Gifts to Power the World, </a>we talked about Clean Energy types and benefits. Head over to that blog post if you need to learn more about clean energy and better for the environment.&nbsp;Now transitioning the conventional energy industry, including repurposing assets and storage, is a tremendous job that needs to take place worldwide. Many governments have already started their journey to becoming net-zero. However, this will take years to accomplish. So we need you, the next generation of engineers, planners, scientists, and politicians, to step up and take over when the time comes.&nbsp;

Transitioning to the conventional energy industry, including repurposing assets and storage, is a tremendous job that needs to take place worldwide. Many governments have already started their journey to becoming net-zero.

Energy, then, now and the future 

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Thinking Cap On&nbsp;Net-zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. In other words, imagine it is like cleaning after cooking or tying your room after playing.&nbsp;How can we work toward becoming net-zero at home? Explore with your parents: how can you reduce your family's carbon footprint? Perhaps by using less energy, installing a smart thermostat at home, recycling more, and/or by creating 'carbon offset' planting trees in your garden or neighborhood. It is never too soon to start.&nbsp;Share with us on social media and let us know how you can achieve your net-zero goals.

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The United Nations Goal number 7 states that by the year 2030, we should ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services to all. But what does that even mean?&nbsp;We understand as energy all the resources that help our electronic devices run. Including the air conditioner in our homes, the fuel to drive cars and all the energy we consume in our day to day lives. Living in areas with access to energy is vital to human development. When you think about it, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBnDz7HljT0&amp;t=3s">without energy</a>, access to information via the internet and access to health services becomes more challenging. &nbsp;Imagine a world without access to Google for researching and learning, and a world in which you cannot search for jobs online. Without access to electricity, many things take longer to get done, and economic progress becomes almost impossible.&nbsp;Many people – mainly concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia – live their daily lives without electricity. The number of people without access to electricity dropped from almost 860 million in 2018 to 770 million in 2019 (IEA, 2021), which is excellent news. However, a lot still needs to be done.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>What is Clean Energy?&nbsp;</h1><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44Wp3WE1AHs">Clean energy</a> is often collected from renewable resources found naturally in the environment, including carbon-neutral sources like sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.Clean energy has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPsso2acew">zero emissions</a>. This means it does not pollute the atmosphere when used because it is carbon neutral. As a result, clean energy does not release greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, which is one of the leading causes of climate change.&nbsp;<h1>Types of Clean Energy</h1>As mentioned before, clean energy can be harvested from different sources. The most common of those are solar energy, wind power and Hydropower, also known as water power.&nbsp;Solar energy is harvested from the sun using solar panels. Solar panels allow for energy from the sun to be collected and transformed into electricity. Many people believe that solar panels don't work in colder climates. That's not true. Solar panels work very well in colder areas, even at lower light exposure. Solar energy can be gathered anywhere as long as there is daylight.&nbsp;However, one drawback of solar energy is that the solar panels' production has an environmental impact. Therefore, it is always advisable to make sure the panels come from reputable sources and to research and understand the conditions in which these were made.&nbsp;Wind power works by attaching a windmill to a generator. This form of generating energy has been used for centuries to grind grain and pump water. Wind turbines operate on a simple principle: instead of using electricity to make wind—like fans—wind turbines use the wind to produce electricity. The wind turns the propeller-like blades of a turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator, which creates electricity.&nbsp;Around the world, more and more wind farms are appearing both on land and on the sea (Onshore and offshore). According to goodenergy.co.uk, most onshore wind turbines have a capacity of 2-3 megawatts (M.W.), which can produce over 6 million kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity every year. That's enough to supply the electricity demand of around 1,500 average households.&nbsp;Water or hydroelectric energy is when we harvest energy from water flow. Hydroelectric power is generated by using flowing water to spin a turbine that turns a shaft connected to an electric generator. Usually, hydroelectric dams are used to direct the water in a downward direction through a turbine which can be controlled to maximize energy production.As you can see, all these forms of energy use the momentum created by the naturally occurring energy sources to harvest and generate more power. None of these forms of energy release or produces gasses, waste or harmful residues into the environment. Therefore, they are considered clean.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>How Can You Help</h1>The best thing we can all do is to become conscious consumers.&nbsp;<ul><li>Be aware of the amount of energy you consume every day and remember the impact on the environment.&nbsp;</li><li>Help others become aware and inform them about their carbon footprint (how much carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere by the use of fossil fuels (driving) and meat consumption) and how they can carbon offset.&nbsp;</li><li>Make a contribution by carbon offsetting, plant a tree or donate to parks and local conservation areas can help your carbon offset&nbsp;</li><li>Find out more about clean energy and how you can contribute to the use of alternative energy.&nbsp;</li></ul>

The United Nations Goal number 7 states that by the year 2030, we should ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services to all. But what does that even mean? 

Clean Energy Using Earth's Gifts to Power the World 

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<h2>Thinking Caps On&nbsp;</h2>Imagine you are on a deserted island with two of your best friends. Among other things, you need to find a way to get the radio started to ask for help. S.O.S.!&nbsp;How can you harvest energy using only the things you have around you. For example, you have a motor from a boat but no fuel. However, you also have a river nearby, and the sea. Can you think of ways to generate clean energy?&nbsp;