Green energy solutions are the only possibility for expanding the prosperity of the world into the future. The fossil fuels which are now being used to provide energy to industry and to private homes will not last forever, and there are many who believe that their use should be phased out as quickly as possible for environmental reasons. Whatever the truth may be concerning the great global warming debate, there is no doubt that the fuels currently in use need to be replaced by renewable alternatives if the standard of living of Western people is going to be maintained.
The most commonly touted solution to the world energy crisis is solar power, for obvious reasons. The sun is an energy source which will always be with us, and it provides energy which is relatively easy to harness. There are many parts of the world which have extremely hot climates, where the sun will give out extreme heat for virtually the whole year. In these countries, which comprise most of the developing world, solar energy is the obvious solution. Even in northern climates where the temperatures are far cooler and where the sun is rarely seen, there is still a potential for the use of solar energy.
In northern climates where solar energy is not so well founded, there are often other possibilities. One of these is wind power, and this has the great advantage that it will function best in areas where solar is weakest. Many of the countries of northern Europe have extensive coastlines, and high levels of wind, especially in these coastal regions. If offshore wind technology can be developed to a high enough level, wind power alone could provide all of the energy which these countries need. In practice, it is better to have both solar and wind power in temperate countries, to cope with the changing conditions.
Other green energy solutions can be effective in localized areas, even if they have limited potential to energize entire nations. Water power, for example, can be harnessed whenever there is water running down in strong currents. The solution is similar to the traditional dam, which has been used to increase industrial production for many years. The water is directed to turn a turbine, which in turn generates the electricity. Suitable sites may be relatively few, but where the right terrain exists water power is a viable and useful solution.
There are other answers to the problem of energy creation which can be carried out on a much smaller scale. There are individual wind turbines, although they are limited in their use by safety and noise issues. Solar panels can be fitted to the roof of a house, and they can produce a significant percentage of the energy needs of that house. This type of installation cannot yet be considered enough to power an entire household, especially as the needs of a house vary considerably from one hour to the next. Solar generation needs to be supplemented from other sources, but when the consumption is low the electricity can even be fed back into the grid.
It is more than likely that the green energy solutions of the future will emphasize all different types of electricity generation. There will be installations set up in the home to take advantage of the sun hitting the roof, giving at least partial independence from the grid. There will also be large scale wind and solar farms which can create enough electricity to power entire communities. All of these resources will combine to provide Western society with an electricity supply long into the future, courtesy of effective green energy solutions.