World Energy Independence Day is celebrated every July 10 to promote the spread of renewable energy sources to make the global economy less dependent on fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).
Fossil fuels in the modern world
It is impossible to imagine the modern world without electricity. Over 80% of global primary energy consumption comes from fossil fuels – natural gas, oil and coal. They are used to generate electricity and to power engines, and are also burned to generate heat for direct use, such as for heating or cooking.
Fossil fuels have been important for the development of mankind throughout history, but they have a number of significant disadvantages:
- First, they are formed over millions of years and are therefore considered non-renewable. We are depleting fossil fuel reserves at an alarming rate, and new ones will not appear in the foreseeable future.
- Second, burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and toxic gases, which contributes to global warming and air pollution.
- Third, some countries that are major exporters of fossil fuels use it as a geopolitical lever. There is even such a phenomenon as the resource curse, which under certain conditions affects certain countries with a large amount of natural resources. Countries affected by the resource curse tend to have lower economic growth and lower levels of democracy.
Energy transition to renewable energy sources
The need to mitigate climate change and achieve energy security and independence has led to a process known as the energy transition. Its ultimate goal is to replace fossil fuels with sustainable energy sources in heating, transportation and other sectors. Renewable energy sources include solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal energy.
Some of these renewable energy sources have been known and used for decades, but their development is hampered by the fossil fuel lobby. Fortunately, the situation has changed in recent years, and renewable energy is becoming increasingly competitive compared to fossil fuels.
World Energy Independence Day
World Energy Independence Day was founded in 2006 by Michael D. Antonovich, an American politician and then mayor of Los Angeles County and a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He chose the date of July 10 to mark the birthday of Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and engineer best known for his experiments with alternating current, which helped shape the modern power supply system.
On World Energy Independence Day, renewable energy organizations hold various events: seminars, workshops, online campaigns to raise public awareness of renewable energy sources and the importance of energy independence. This is an ideal opportunity to learn more about alternative energy sources and find out how you personally can improve energy efficiency.