This chapter presents the overview of pollution; the issues of soil pollution, water pollution, and air pollution; the aspects of renewable energy; energy security and energy imports; and renewable energy policy and renewable energy policy instruments. Pollution is one of the most important environmental, social, and health issues in the world. Pollution creates many diseases and causes death of many people across the globe. The environmental damage caused by pollution can reach catastrophic proportions and destroy entire ecosystems leading to the death of many species and a big biodiversity loss. Renewable energy is a critical part of reducing global carbon emissions and the pace of investment has greatly increased as the cost of technologies fall and efficiency continues to rise. Renewable energy offers a wide variety of different options to choose from as countries can choose between sun, wind, biomass, geothermal energy, and water resources.
Evaluation of Energy Policy Instruments for the Adoption of Renewable Energy: Case of Wind Energy in the Pacific Northwest U.S.