Why Change to Renewable Energy
Electricity generation is the leading cause of air pollution in the United States.
Gabriel Ruiz
August 25, 2022
According to Resource Solutions, electricity generation is the leading cause of air pollution in the United States. Fossil fuels are the main cause of pollution, contributing an estimated over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.
Much of the electricity production relies on coal, nuclear sources, and power plants, resources that cause a major impact on the environment.
On the other hand, renewable energy sources are one of the main - if not the main - weapon we have in our favor to stop, or at worst slow down, global warming. Renewable energies such as solar energy and wind energy do not emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and its high temperatures. In addition, helping us to generate electricity.
Greenhouse gases are gases trapped in the heat of the atmosphere; these include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), etc.
Scientists are clear, and it was fully clarified when the UN, and subsequently confirmed in the Paris Agreement that by 2030 we have to reduce our emissions by 50%, while by 2050, they have to be close to zero.
To reach this goal, it is important to start today and be part of helping the planet by switching to renewable energy. Invest in energy that is clean, affordable, reliable, and sustainable.
Today, fossil energy still accounts for about 80% of the world's energy and electricity production. Less than 30% comes from renewable energy.
Reasons to Use Renewable Energy
Renewables Benefit the Economy
In addition to doing your bit for the environment, you can also save money. According to the Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), “Of the wind, solar and other renewables that came on stream in 2020, nearly two-thirds – 62% – were lower cost than the cheapest new fossil fuel. This is double the equivalent share for 2019.”
Savings that you will see sooner rather than later in your energy consumption.
Less Global Warming
Human activity is already filling the ecosystem with carbon dioxide and other polluting emissions. Electricity generation via fossil fuel is the other major part of the pollution we can avoid.
In the United States alone, about 29% of the emissions contributing to global warming come from the electricity sector.
In contrast, renewable energies contribute very little or nothing at all. The comparisons become simpler when you look at the numbers.
Burning natural gas for electricity releases between 0.6 and 2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour (CO2E/kWh); coal emits between 1.4 and 3.6 pounds of CO2E/kWh. Wind, on the other hand, is responsible for only 0.02 to 0.04 pounds of CO2E/kWh on a life-cycle basis; solar 0.07 to 0.2; geothermal 0.1 to 0.2; and hydroelectric between 0.1 and 0.5.
Wind, on the other hand, is responsible for only 0.02 to 0.04 pounds of CO2E/kWh on a life-cycle basis; solar 0.07 to 0.2; geothermal 0.1 to 0.2; and hydroelectric between 0.1 and 0.52.
Increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to reduce our reliance on coal and fossil fuels in a major way and reduce global warming emissions.
Climate action is not an option nowadays, but a necessary step. Efficiency and renewable energy could change the world we live in.
Renewable Energy Creates Jobs
Every dollar invested in renewable energy creates three times more jobs than in the fossil or coal energy industry.
According to the IEA, the efforts we will make to energy transition to renewable energy will also increase the number of jobs in this sector.
While about 5 million jobs will be lost when fossil fuels are phased out, about 14 million jobs will be created to produce clean energy. That is a gain of about 9 million jobs.
Renewable power such as wind power, solar panels, etc. They help us to generate renewable energy systems that are good for the environment, economy, and power generation.
Improved Health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), About 99% of people on the planet breathe air that can harm their health. More than 13 million people die each year for reasons that could be prevented by better air and the ecosystem in general.
A Harvard University study estimated the life cycle costs and public health effects of coal to be an estimated $74.6 billion every year. That’s equivalent to 4.36 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced—about one-third of the average electricity rate for a typical US home.
Switching to renewable energies will not only help the economy of the health sector and in general, but will also help all the people who inhabit this world. Where we can breathe cleaner and healthier air for development.
Energy Security
Energy diversification will not only make you rely on one source of energy but on several where you will not have to depend on only one. Where you can also help to maintain the natural resources of your country.