Renewable energy makes up about 10 percent of the world’s total energy supply. Of that percentage, a very small portion comes from the ocean’s tides. 

A device called a tide mill used to be a more common method for harnessing energy from the ocean, until they were replaced by steam and gas engines during the Industrial Revolution.

Rhode Island Public Radio’s environmental reporter, Avory Brookins, spoke with Jonathan White, a marine conservationist and author of “Tides: The Science and Spirit Of the Ocean,” about the promise of tidal power in the 21st century and how using more of it could benefit New England.

White will be in Nantucket Wednesday night as a part of his book tour throughout the region this week.