Renewable energy, or clean energy, comes for natural processes that are regularly replenished. For example – sunlight and wind.
The sun keeps shining and the wind keeps blowing. Many people think of renewable energy as a new technology, but in fact, we have been using it for a long time for lighting, heating, and transportation. It is true that people have been using cheaper but dirty energy like coal or gas for the last five hundred years. However, now that scientists have found less expensive methods of capturing wind and solar energy, tables are turning. Renewable energy is booming and what is most important, people are starting to understand its benefits. So, without further ado, here is how we can benefit from renewable energy use.
Less Global Warming
Human activity is overwhelming and burdening our atmosphere with carbon dioxide and other emissions. Because of it, we have incessant storms, sea-level rise, drought, extinction, and many other extremely harmful impacts. In contrast, renewable energy does not have any emissions that are harmful to the atmosphere. This is because renewable energy comes from green and clean sources. So, if we turn to using renewable energy, we will be saving our atmosphere and our planet, that is, we will be responding to global warming. Not to mention, we will keep our environment safer and cleaner for generations to come.
Inexhaustible Source of Energy
Renewable energy will just not run out. And that is one of its strongest benefits. This cannot be said for fuel, gas, and coal. Even now, it is getting hard to obtain them, and it will probably be even harder in the future. However, fast-moving water, heath from the earth, strong winds and sunny skies are always going to be here for us. And they will provide a constant supply of energy. By using these inexhaustible sources of energy we will be more independent.
Improves Public Health
Health is the most important thing. But, we are affecting and damaging our health with pollution. Pollution affects everyone; there is no doubt in that. By constant use of coal and gas plants, we are polluting air and water, which then creates breathing problems, heart attacks, cancer, premature death, and numerous other diseases. But, by using clean and renewable energy we can stabilise the greenhouse effect, improve the quality of water we drink and the air we breathe. This will not only improve public health but also save many lives as well. People are slowly starting to understand the benefits of living in a ‘clean’ country. So, should you decide to relocate overseas, make sure that you are moving to a place that is using renewable sources.
Gives Independence
Renewable energy helps people and households gain mor
e independence. It is self-generated and as such helps people become independent from the coal-powered energy. By installing solar panels on your home or business, you instantly reduce your dependence on electricity and all the fees that come with it. Moreover, any solar energy that you generated but did not use, is sent back to the utility company. You can also install batteries and become even more independent as they will collect and store all the solar energy which you can use later on when your power usage overtakes what your solar panels are generating. By doing this, we are helping build a more sustainable world.
Saves Money
Using renewable energy will definitely help you save money in the long run. You only have to pay for the initial cost of construction and setup, and the whole thing will quickly begin to pay for itself. You will also save money on maintenance and operating costs as well. This is because you do not have to pay for the refuel. Sunshine is bountiful and we can easily capture it with solar panels. The same goes for wind and other sources of renewable energy. They are free. As previously mentioned, the only investment is to create a facility where energy power will be converted into electricity. This first investment might seem expensive, but soon, you will realise that you are saving anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Creates Jobs
Renewable energy creates more jobs as it is more labor-intensive than fossil fuel sources of energy. Just think about it. People need to install solar panels, and technicians need to maintain them. This applies to all renewable energy technologies. Today, thousands of people are working for this industry and according to some research, by 2030 even more people will be employed, that is, approximately 24 million people. And, increased support for renewable energy may create even more job positions. Two biggest renewable energy industries are the wind and the solar industry.
- The wind industry needs a variety of employees. For example, in 2016, more than 100,000 people were hired to work in manufacturing, construction and turbine installation, project creation and development, transportation, logistics, finances, legal and consulting services, and many more. Moreover, many new factories are being open every day.
- The solar industry is one of the biggest ones and it employs the biggest number of people. This industry employed more than 260,000 people in 2016.
Lower Reliance on Foreign Energy Sources
Another benefit or renewable energy and its industries is that it can be produced locally and lower the reliance on foreign energy sources. Nowadays, the usage of fossil fuels is the most common. Even though it is polluting the atmosphere. The USA approximately imports 57% of fossil fuels from other countries in the Gulf. That is a lot of ‘dirty’ energy, which costs a lot as well. That is why by using renewable energy and reducing the dependency of fossil fuels can save both the economy and the environment.
This article was kindly written and contributed by Sally Norton.
