Renewable Energy Overtakes Coal as Clean Power Surges Worldwide

February 3, 2026

A funny thing happened while federal leaders talked up fossil fuels. Renewable energy kept winning. Solar and wind did not slow down. Instead, they surged past coal and reshaped the global power mix.

According to Barbara Grady at Yale Climate Connections, solar and wind generation jumped 109 percent worldwide last year. That growth pushed renewables ahead of coal for the first time. The shift matters for the Earth and for people who want cleaner air and safer communities. It also matters for animals and wildlife that suffer when fossil fuel Pollution damages habitat.

Much of the growth came from simple math. Solar and wind now cost less than coal or gas in most places. Prices fell sharply over the past decade and kept dropping after pandemic disruptions eased. Even with battery storage added, renewable power stays cheaper and more reliable. This protects the planet while helping families manage energy bills and protect their health.

The United States followed the trend. Solar generation rose fast, and renewables supplied nearly a quarter of total electricity. For one month in 2025, renewables even supplied more than half of all power. That milestone showed how quickly the energy system can change when cleaner options become affordable.

Globally, countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America are skipping fossil fuels altogether. They are choosing solar and wind to power homes, schools, and industry. This leapfrogging helps protect ecosystems while supporting economic growth. It also reduces harm to pets and farm animals living near polluting plants.

Clean energy growth continues even where politics resist it. Many new U.S. solar projects rose in conservative states. Utilities and communities keep choosing renewables because they work. The transition is no longer theoretical. It is happening now, at scale, and faster than many expected.

Solar and wind also Support a plant based future by cutting Pollution tied to industrial food systems. Cleaner grids make it easier to build healthier, more resilient communities. If you care about the environment and the living beings who share it, now is the time to Support clean energy progress and push for policies that protect our shared home.

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