Numbers in the News: Renewable Energy

April 22 is Earth Day! Check out some figures about energy sources, from wind to solar, that are cleaner and greener alternatives to fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.

2019

The year in which the use of renewable energy in the U.S. surpassed the use of coal for the first time.

12

The number of countries, including Costa Rica, Iceland, and Kenya, that get nearly 100 percent of their energy from renewable sources.

26%

The percentage of electricity produced by renewable sources worldwide. That’s projected to rise to 45 percent by 2040.

THINK ABOUT IT: Do you think more countries should increase their use of renewable energy? What would be the benefits? Drawbacks?

SOURCES: U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY, REN21

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