Not all hydroelectric power has to come from dams.
Today, about 20 percent of the world’s power is hydroelectric. Nearly all of that water-generated energy is made by forcing rivers to flow through dams. But rivers make up just a small percentage of the water in the world. The ocean, however, occupies two-thirds of the Earth’s surface and is constantly moving. That motion can spin turbines to create power, the ocean is full of potential energy just waiting to be tapped.
Waves
The first major “wave farm” opened in Aguçadoura Wave Park off the coast of Portugal last year. Made up of worm-shaped devices that generate energy from the up-and-down motion of the waves, the farm produces enough energy to power 1,500 houses in Portugal with only three wave-energy devices (expansion is planned). Other wave parks, off the coasts of Scotland and Oregon, for example, are still in the planning stages.
Tides
Early tidal power functioned the same as damming rivers, and could seriously damage to the environment. Today, tidal power operates much the same as wind power, creating power as tides push water back and forth past a turbine. Tidal-power generation of this sort was tested successfully with six turbines in New York’s East River, and may soon start appearing in other rivers around the world.
Currents
The Gulf Stream flows at a rate of 8 billion gallons per minute—50 times more than all of the rivers in the world put together. Researchers at the Center for Ocean Energy Technology in Florida are working on a prototype turbine sturdy enough to withstand the rough underwater conditions, which they hope to test by this fall, though full-scale power generation could be as much as a decade away.
LEARN MORECheck out GOOD’s interview with Matthew Simmons, an oil investor turned wave-energy advocate here.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.