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Burning fossil fuels creates carbon dioxide, the number one greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Combustion of these fossil fuels is considered to be the largest contributing factor to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In the 20th century, the average temperature of Earth rose 1 degree Fahrenheit (1°F). This was a period that saw the most prolific population growth and industrial development

Some estimates say our fossil fuel reserves will be depleted within 50 years, while others say it will be 100-120 years.

In January 2012 the San Onofre nuclear power plant, which provided power to 1.4 million homes in Southern California

SCE went from having 50 percent of its energy production carbon-free in 2011 to 30 percent in 2012,

Wind machines were used in Persia as early as 200 B.C

The first windmill for electricity production in the United States was built in Cleveland, Ohio by Charles F Brush in 1888, and in 1908 there were 72 wind-driven electric generators from 5 kW to 25 kW.

The first utility grid-connected wind turbine operated in the UK was built by the John Brown Company in 1954

Somewhat surprisingly, the hot air that carries the heat from the earth at geothermal sites also contains carbon dioxide, CO2, the Greenhouse Gas that sends anti-technologists into a frenzy.  The suite of 20 geothermal sites from which Southern California Electric is obligated to buy electricity produces 730 tonnes of CO2 for every gigawatt-hour (GWh) of electricity produced.  Across the spectrum of all natural-gas power plants in the US, the average CO2 production is 519 tonnes per GWh.  That is, the geothermal power plants, which burn no fossil fuels whatsoever, produce 41% more CO2 than the run-of-the-mill natural gas power plant for the same amount of electrical energy produced.

Advantages of Tidal Energy1)  It is an inexhaustible source of energy. 2)  Tidal energy is environment friendly energy and doesn't produce greenhouse gases. 3)  As 71% of Earth’s surface is covered by water, there is scope to generate this energy on large scale. 4)  We can predict the rise and fall of tides as they follow cyclic fashion. 5) Efficiency of tidal power is far greater as compared to coal, solar or wind energy. Its efficiency is around 80%. 6)  Although cost of construction of tidal power is high but maintenance costs are relatively low. 7)  Tidal Energy doesn’t require any kind of fuel to run. 8)  The life of tidal energy power plant is very long. 9)  The energy density of tidal energy is relatively higher than other renewable energy sources.

Disadvantages of Tidal Energy 1)  Cost of construction of tidal power plant is high. 2)  There are very few ideal locations for construction of plant and they too are localized to coastal regions only. 3)  Intensity of sea waves is unpredictable and there can be damage to power generation units. 4)  Influences aquatic life adversely and can disrupt migration of fish. 5)  The actual generation is for a short period of time. The tides only happen twice a day so electricity can be produced only for that time. 6)  Frozen sea, low or weak tides, straight shorelines, low tidal rise or fall are some of the obstructions. 7)  This technology is still not cost effective and more technological advancements are required to make it commercially viable. 8)  Usually the places where tidal energy is produced are far away from the places where it is consumed. This transmission is expensive and difficult. Tidal Energy is thus a clean source of energy and doesn’t require much land or other resources as in harnessing energy from other sources. However, the energy generated is not much as high and low tides occur only twice a day and continuous energy production is not possible.

Lost in the mix are the biofuels, fuels made from biological ingredients instead of fossil fuels. These starting ingredients can range from corn to soybeans to animal fat, depending on the type of fuel being made and the production method.