Green energy is energy that is produced in such a way as to minimize its negative impact on the environment. Traditional energy sources, most notably fossil fuels, produce greenhouse gases that are believed to be the primary cause of an effect known as global warming or climate change. Sources of green energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro energy, are developed and promoted as alternative sources that make little or no contribution to climate change. Even nuclear energy is sometimes considered a green energy source, because some types of nuclear technology produce much less waste than oil and coal.

Why Green Energy is Important
The industrial revolution that began in the second half of the 18th century changed the world, with new methods of machine-based manufacturing leading to a profound increase in economic growth, population growth, and quality of life. At the time, the long-term consequences could not even be conceived of, much less felt; however, the burning of vast quantities of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, has caused a great deal of harm to the environment. Most climatologists agree that the use of fossil fuels has contributed significantly to global warming. This term refers to the measured increase in the Earth’s surface temperature since the late 19th century and the environmental effects of this change.