The environmental and social impacts of solar energy are a key area of interest for those considering going green. People are naturally concerned about the impact that their energy consumption has on the environment and what impact the manufacturing process of solar panels has on the environment. However, as with most things in life, there is more than one side to the story. While solar energy can be harmful to the environment, it can also be a powerful tool for good. In this article, we will explore the different aspects of the environmental impact of solar energy so that you can decide for yourself what is important to you.
Energy Efficient Lighting
Lighting is one of the major categories where we see the largest impact of solar energy. When you consider the amount of energy wasted by our current lighting systems, going green with solar lighting is an easy decision. There are virtually no energy-efficient lighting solutions that don’t use solar power, so if you’re looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective source of light, consider going solar.
Zero Waste
One of the biggest issues with our current energy system is the large amount of waste. In 2016, the United Kingdom generated over 1.7 million tons of plastic waste, and it’s estimated that we’ll be throwing away billions of disposable items in the next few years. When you combine this with the fact that 25% of the world’s plastic waste ends up in the ocean and that plastic wastes block the absorption of nutrients from the water, it’s easy to see why going green is a focus for many.
Reduced Food Waste
The food waste problems that we face as a world are huge. In the UK alone, we throw away a massive 16.9 million tons of edible food each year. That’s nearly 70% of the food grown in the country. The good news is that, similar to lighting, we have the power to reduce this food waste and turn it into something useful. With more and more people wanting to reduce their carbon footprint, going green with food waste becomes an easy decision.
If you’re looking for a way to reduce your impact on the environment, you don’t have to look far. Just focus on reducing your food waste and you’ll be doing your bit to help preserve nature. It’s a lifestyle change that can make a difference, and more and more people are realizing this. Recent research shows that the food waste problem is so great that in the next few years, we may have to rethink how we deal with it. If we don’t, we could face starvation as a result of climate change. That would be a tragedy for all humanity.
Going green with your food waste will not only reduce your environmental footprint but it will also cut the amount of food that you need to feed yourself. Imagine what an impact this could make on the world’s poorest countries. Not only would you be feeding their people but you’d be sparing them the burden of producing their own food. This is a priceless benefit that comes with going green.
Healthy Air Quality
Our air is becoming more and more polluted with the growing number of cars on the road and coal-fired power stations. It’s not just a problem for those living in large cities either where air quality is already poor. If you’re not used to spending lots of time outside, then it can be hard to imagine air that is healthy to breathe. Since the dawn of time, humans have been creating energy using a variety of fuels, and while many are aware of the damage that our beloved combustion engine has caused over the years, there are still those who believe that it is the only way of powering our world. That thinking will soon be a thing of the past. Thanks to solar energy, we have the power to remove pollutants from the air, transforming what was once thought to be impossible into a realistic goal.
Reduced Energy Consumption
The energy industry across the world is one of the worst polluters, particularly in large cities where the demand is high and the supply is low. The energy consumed in lighting alone would be enough to power many homes, and most homes in large cities have more than one lighting system. This means that a lot of energy is simply wasted in the form of heat. Going green with your energy will not only reduce your carbon footprint but it will also reduce your energy bills. Since most of the energy is used up lighting and heating your home, going green reduces your dependence on fossil fuels and cuts the amount of carbon you’re contributing to the atmosphere. It’s an easy way to reduce your environmental impact without even noticing a change in your day-to-day life. You may not think that you consume a lot of energy but the truth is that you need to cut back significantly if you want to make a difference. Going green with your energy consumption is one of the best things you can do for the environment.
There are many reasons why going green with your energy is a good idea. Not only does it help to reduce your carbon footprint and cut the amount of waste generated but it can also improve the air quality in your home. As a renewable energy source, the Sun is at its best when the Sun is shining. It’s an energy source that is free and accessible to all. The good news is that once you harness this power, it’s almost impossible to stop. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Going green with your energy is a brilliant way to improve your quality of life and the lives of those around you. It can help to preserve nature and reduce your dependence on fossil fuels. It’s a win-win situation.
If you’re looking for a way to reduce your impact on the environment, it’s an easy decision. All you need to do is look to the Sun and start generating your own power. Not only will this benefit you and your home but it could also change the world for the better. Imagine if everyone decided to go green with their energy and there was no more waste. There would be no more pollution. There would be no more food insecure countries. There would be a better quality of life for everyone.