Renewable energy has a host of social, environmental, and economic benefits. To be truly sustainable, an energy source must meet these criteria:

• have minimal or no negative environmental or social impact;
• not deplete natural resources;
• meet the needs of people today and in the future in an accessible, equitable and efficient manner;
• protect air, land and water;
• have little or no net carbon or other greenhouse gas emissions;
• be safe today and not burden future generations with unnecessary risk.

Renewable energy sources can meet all these criteria. Renewable energy puts energy in our hands by offering increased local control of energy production, helping to ensure stable prices and increase the security of our energy supply. Renewable energy also provides environmental benefits such as helping to improve local air quality and reducing our impact on the land, water and climate system. Increased use of renewable energy will also help boost local economies through job creation. No other energy source can provide all these benefits.

In comparison, continued reliance on conventional energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear power will perpetuate a host of environmental, social, and political problems and hold us dependent on limited resources controlled by a few countries and corporations.