What is clean energy

Most of our electricity comes from power stations that use fossil fuels like coal and oil.

The power stations burn the fossil fuels to make our electricity and in that process a LOT of greenhouse gas is made, including carbon dioxide and methane. This is why they are called dirty sources of energy.

It is the greenhouse gases that are causing the Earth's atmosphere to warm, which scientists tell us will cause the climate to change. It is understood that this will cause more extreme weather, the spread of diseases and threaten the habitat of all living things

Moving towards a clean energy world

We have already found ways to tap into the energy of the sun, wind, waves and water, amongst other things.

These sources of energy produce only very small amounts of greenhouse gas once operating, if any at all - now that's clean!

The greenhouse gases that cause the warming of the Earth's atmosphere tell scientists that the climate will change. It is understood that this will lead to more extreme weather, the spread of diseases, and the threat of all living things to their habitats.

They are also renewable which means they can be used over and over again.

The challenge is finding ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions when dirty energy sources are used to make power and develop the clean energy industry so it supplies more and more of the energy we use.

Government are exploring lots of different ways to help. One of these makes companies who pollute pay for their pollution. Other ideas include big projects to help such as tree plantations and encouraging people to use less energy.