Unlocking the potential of renewable energy for a sustainable future

Fast Company

8 hours ago

When we talk about climate change, it often triggers resistance. For many, the topic comes loaded with political or ideological connotations. But beyond the labels lies an undeniable need to rethink how we operate—especially when it comes to managing waste and embracing renewable energy. The key isn't just about reducing carbon footprints; it's about reshaping our economic and industrial systems to create sustainable, circular economies where materials are reused, emissions are minimized, and communities thrive.
Renewable energy has emerged as a cornerstone of this transformation. When people think about renewables, solar panels and wind turbines likely come to mind. Yet there's another powerful, often‑overlooked resource: wood waste.
In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that roughly 15.9 million tons of wood waste entered municipal solid‑waste streams, with only 15% of that recovered for reuse or energy. Meanwhile, newer studies suggest that if you combine yard trimmings and wood waste, the total available is closer to 21.8 million tons annually.
Why does this matter? Because every ton of wood waste represents embodied energy—energy we already invested growing, harvesting, and processing that timber. When wood ends up in landfills, that potential is simply buried. By contrast, processing wood waste into biomass fuel or bio‑products taps into a dispatchable renewable energy source, one that can complement intermittent wind and solar output.
ADVANCES IN BIOMASS TECHNOLOGY
Historically, biomass facilities struggled with emissions controls, leading to concerns about local air quality and particulate pollution. Today, however, cutting‑edge facilities are combining biomass combustion with advanced carbon capture and stringent particulate filters. Some pioneering projects have retrofitted old coal‑fired power plants, replacing coal feedstocks with sustainably sourced biomass and installing capture technology to trap CO₂ before it reaches the atmosphere. This approach can drastically reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions compared to traditional fossil‑fuel plants, making biomass a truly sustainable option when managed and regulated properly.
Wood waste is just one piece of the larger waste‑management puzzle. In 2018, the EPA reported that 18.1 million tons of wood entered U.S. municipal solid waste—about 6.2% of all MSW that year—and only 17.1% of that was recycled (e.g., chipped for mulch), while 8.2% was combusted for energy recovery, and 8.3% was landfilled. Meanwhile, 50% of all U.S. MSW still ends up in landfills, despite recycling and composting rates climbing to around 32% and energy recovery to 12%.
By integrating waste‑diversion strategies from the very start of projects—whether construction of a new manufacturing facility or operation of a large industrial site—companies can dramatically cut disposal costs, create local feedstocks for on‑site energy generation, and reduce environmental impact. Treating waste as a resource rather than a problem is the bedrock of a circular economy.
BROADER HEALTH, ECONOMIC, AND JOB BENEFITS
Switching to renewables yields far‑reaching co‑benefits beyond simply slashing CO₂. A 2024 Cell Reports Sustainability study found that, between 2019 and 2022, the U.S. increased wind and solar generation by 55%, raising their share to 14% of electricity supply. That shift cut 900 million metric tons of CO₂—equivalent to removing 71 million cars from the road each year—and avoided 1 million metric tons of SO₂ and NOₓ emissions, delivering $249 billion in combined climate and health benefits.
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) forecasts that under a 1.5 °C‑compatible energy pathway, renewables could support 43 million jobs by 2050. Even more conservative estimates suggest 40 million total energy‑sector jobs—including manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and R&D—by mid‑century.
On the health front, reducing air pollution from fossil combustion can cut premature mortality dramatically. Studies of low‑emission zones in European cities found sustained reductions in particulate pollution and NO₂, with downstream benefits including slower growth in chronic disease and healthcare savings—underscoring the broader social value of clean energy transitions.
THE RIPPLE EFFECTS ON GLOBAL LOGISTICS
An often‑overlooked ripple effect of cutting fossil‑fuel use is reduced international shipping of coal, oil, and gas. Nearly half of maritime bulk cargo volumes are energy commodities. By lowering demand for fossil‑fuel transport, ports would see less congestion, shipping emissions would fall, and carriers could repurpose vessels for other goods, all of which would benefit global trade efficiency and reduce ocean pollution.
SCALING SOLAR, WIND, AND MORE
While biomass and waste‑to‑energy capture crucial local resources, scaling wind and solar remains vital. Government and private‑sector partnerships—like those on public lands, where 96 utility‑scale wind, solar, and geothermal projects already generate over 5,000 MW powering more than two million homes and delivering over $660 million in rent and royalty payments since 1982—demonstrate the economic potential of strategic siting.
Distributed solutions—such as solar mini‑grids in rural Africa—highlight how renewables can uplift communities far beyond traditional grids. A 2024 cohort study in Kenya and Nigeria found that households linked to solar mini‑grids saw median incomes quadruple, improvements in gender equality, and health gains from cleaner lighting sources.
CHALLENGES AND THE PATH FORWARD
Despite these promising figures, challenges remain:
Up‑Front Costs And Infrastructure: Building new renewable capacity and modern grids demands capital. Yet costs continue to fall: Solar and wind have become cost‑competitive or cheaper than coal and gas in many regions.
Grid Integration And Storage: Managing intermittency requires investment in storage technologies and smarter grid management.
Policy And Regulatory Support: Clear, stable incentives—carbon pricing, renewable portfolio standards, tax credits—are essential to mobilize private investment and ensure long‑term project viability.
The renewable‑energy revolution isn't just about swapping technologies; it's about a fundamental shift in how we value resources—seeing waste as feedstock, emissions as externalities to be captured, and energy as a vector for health, equity, and economic opportunity. From unlocking the latent power in wood waste to scaling solar farms and offshore wind, each step multiplies benefits: cleaner air, more jobs, economic savings, and a stable climate.
As the world edges closer to critical climate thresholds, the urgency to act grows. But within that urgency lies unprecedented opportunity: to retool industries, revitalize communities, and ensure a liveable planet for generations to come. The future belongs to those who power it responsibly—and renewably.