Rapidly increasing global renewable energy

Grade level: 3rd – 4th grades

Skills: Subtraction (3 and 4 digits)

Related environmental issues: Energy

Renewable energy has grown rapidly and currently makes up one-fourth of the total electricity generated in the world. The table below shows the total electricity capacity of 4 types of renewable energy (bio-power, wind power, solar power and hydropower) in 2014 and 2015.

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  1. Which renewable energy generates the largest amount of electricity in the world?
  2. Which renewable energy increased more during 2014 and 2015, solar power or hydropower?

  3. Which renewable energy increased the least during 2014 and 2015?

  4. How many more gigawatts did wind power increase than solar power during 2014 and 2015?

Source: REN 21, 2016. Renewables 2016 Global Status Report

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Answer keys

1. hydropower

2. solar power

3. bio-power

4. Wind power increased 13 gigawatts more than solar power during 2014 and 2015.

Solar power: increased by 50 gigawatts   Wind power: increased by 63 gigawatts

63-50=13