page_title: Renewable energy transition
section_title: Impacts
hierarchical_section_title: Renewable energy transition / Social Aspects / Impacts
caption_attribution_description: Looking west towards the Ivanpah's three boiler towers.
context_page_description: The renewable energy transition is the process of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy. This transition can impact many aspects of life including the environment, society, the economy and governance.
  The rationale for the transition is often to limit the adverse effects of energy consumption on the environment. This includes reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and mitigating climate change. In 2019 the cost of renewable energy reached the point where it is cheaper to build and operate than coal-fired power plants.
context_section_description: The renewable energy transition has many benefits and challenges that are associated with it. One of the positive social impacts that is predicted is the use of local energy sources to provide stability and economic stimulation to local communities. Not only does this benefit local utilities through portfolio diversification, but it also creates opportunities for energy trade between communities, states and regions. Additionally, energy security has been a struggle worldwide that has led to many issues in the OPEC countries and beyond. Energy security is evaluated by analyzing the accessibility, availability, sustainability, regulatory and technological opportunity of our energy portfolio. Renewable Energy presents an opportunity to increase our energy security by becoming energy independent and have localized grids that decrease energy risks geopolitically. In this sense, the benefits and positive outcomes of the renewable energy transition are profound.
  There are also risks and negative impacts on society because of the renewable energy transition that need to be mitigated. The coal mining industry plays a large part in the existing energy portfolio and is one of the biggest targets for climate change activists due to the intense pollution and habitat disruption that it creates. The transition to renewable is expected to have decrease the need and viability of coal mining in the future. This is a positive for climate change action, but can have severe impacts on the communities that rely on this business. Coal mining communities are considered vulnerable to the renewable energy transition. Not only do these communities face energy poverty already, but they also face economic collapse when the coal mining businesses move elsewhere or disappear altogether. These communities need to quickly transition to alternative forms of work to support their families, but lack the resources and support to invest in themselves. This broken system perpetuates the poverty and vulnerability that decreases the adaptive capacity of coal mining communities. Potential mitigation could include expanding the program base for vulnerable communities to assist with new training programs, opportunities for economic development and subsidies to assist with the transition. Ultimately, the social impacts of the renewable energy transition will be extensive, but with mitigation strategies, the government can ensure that it becomes a positive opportunity for all citizens.
caption: The 392 MW Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California: The facility's three towers.
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