Carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants are flooding our atmosphere. These pollutants form a blanket that traps the sun’s heat energy in the atmosphere, warming the earth and putting marine life in jeopardy.
With these alarming updates, people can take some simple steps to help mitigate the effects of climate change. For example, we should invest in technological breakthroughs that enable the use of renewable energy.
What is Green Electricity?
The term “green electricity” refers to energy derived from natural sources such as the sun. Green electricity does not emit contaminants into the atmosphere, whereas renewable energy comes from continuously replenished sources.
Moreover, green electricity refers to energy sources such as sunlight, rain, and wind. It is highly beneficial because they are readily accessible on earth, can be replenished naturally, and do not cause significant environmental damage.
The Benefits of Green Electricity
Aside from the common benefits mentioned above, there are other advantages that green electricity could offer to consumers this 2024.
1. It is Economical
The world has been moving toward renewable energies in recent years. According to a recent study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy is now considered the cheapest form of energy production. Renewable energy in the form of green electricity is now cheaper than new fossil fuel energy.
If it’s economical, why are people still not switching? There is a misconception about green electricity that needs to be clarified. According to a survey, and 11% believe the process is too complicated, 27% are unsure how to proceed, 30% believe there are no green energy providers in their region, and 32% perceive green energy to be too expensive.
In fact, the cost of renewable energy has dropped dramatically in some cases. The large-scale solar photovoltaic project cost, where energy is converted directly into electricity, dropped by 82 percent between 2010 and 2019.
Costs have decreased due to various factors, including improved technology and large-scale development, and the surge of more experienced renewable developers.
2. Promises Low Maintenance Cost
Traditional generators that use traditional fuel sources need total maintenance than renewable energy technologies. Solar panels and wind turbines are examples of renewable energy generation technologies that have minimal mechanical components. The best thing is that they work without flammable, combustible fuel sources, lowering operational expenses.
The best example is solar energy. You can just install it, leave it alone, keep an eye on it, and enjoy the energy it generates for decades. A new solar panel will produce renewable energy for at least 30 years. According to Neeeco’s Mass Save Home Energy Audit, a solar array needs very little extra expense to run and maintain. There are no extra or fluctuating fuel costs, and there are no moving parts to maintain.
3. Cancels Global Warming
The energy industry accounts for about 29% of global warming emissions in the United States. The majority of these emissions are caused by fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), carbon dioxide emissions in the United States increased by around 7% between 1990 and 2013, with emissions from fossil fuel combustion for electricity generation accounting for the majority of the increase. More recently, carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the United States increased 3% in the first half of 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.
Consequently, replacing fossil-fuel-based electricity generation with renewable energy sources is an essential move toward slowing and eventually halting global warming.
4. Promotes Public Health
According to a US Environmental Protection Agency report, Americans spend between $361.7 and $886.5 billion per year on population health.
A significant portion of this budget is spent on preventing and curing diseases linked to fossil fuels like breathing disorders, heart attacks, neurological conditions, cancer, and various other severe and possibly lethal complications. All of these pose long-term health hazards of living in industrially contaminated areas.
The harvesting and combustion of solid fuels, coal, and biomass have the greatest health consequences, primarily in the form of general ambient air pollution and occupational health hazards.
Harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide are reduced by producing power from low-carbon energy sources and reducing energy demand through green electricity.
5. Generates More Jobs
Thousands of jobs are now generated by renewable energy in the United States. Manufacturing, construction and turbine installation, project development, operations and maintenance, transportation and logistics, and consulting services employed over 125,580 workforce in the wind energy industry in 2023.
According to the latest figures published today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy continues to provide socio-economic benefits by generating multiple jobs worldwide.
Renewable energy jobs have been growing at a promising rate around the world. By implementing a comprehensive policy structure that drives the energy transition, it will create significantly more jobs.
Final Thoughts
People worldwide need electricity, and adopting renewable energy sources is preferable to continuing to rely on polluting fossil fuels. Renewable energy is an integral part of the solution to the global threat of climate change. We should take a step towards adopting such a beneficial trend in energy production.
