While the world is gradually waking up to the benefits of solar energy and the huge potential it offers to combat climate change and save the planet, many environmentalists are still skeptical of the alternative energy source and its methods of generating electricity.
Some of these naysayers have even gone so far as to state that solar energy is bad for the environment because it is a non-renewable energy source, and thus contributes to climate change. Still others have said that solar panels and other devices that utilize solar energy cause irreparable damage to the planet’s ecology.
While these claims might sound reasonable, the reality is that they are completely inaccurate. In fact, as we will explore in this article, solar energy is not only good for the environment but also offers a lot of benefits for the planet itself. Here are 8 reasons why solar energy is good for the environment and the planet.
1. It Has Fewer Negative Impacts On The Environment Than You Might Think
You might be thinking that having fewer negative impacts on the environment equates to better, but that’s not necessarily true. A 2013 study found that while solar energy has fewer ecological impacts than traditional burning sources like coal or oil, it also produces more harmful byproducts during its production, such as toxic chemicals and radiation.
The solution? Replace some of your fossil fuels with solar energy. You’ll still need to drive a car occasionally, but at least you’ll be doing your bit to reduce air pollution and global warming.
2. It Provides A Lifespan Advantage
Let’s say you’re driving to work and you come across an old man in a rickety old truck. You decide to give him a lift and conversation. You chat about climate change and the environment, and he expresses his disdain for renewables, particularly solar energy. You arrive at your desk and begin your workday. After a few minutes, you glance at your computer screen and notice something amiss. There are multiple security alerts for your company, all because of something the old man said.
You call security and inform them of the old man’s presence in your office. Now what?
You can’t really prove that the old man is dangerous or will cause any harm. He could’ve been a threat to your safety, or the safety of others. Yet alone, you’ve learned valuable lessons about solar energy and the environment.
3. Produces Fewer Byproducts Than You Might Think
When we think about the environment, many of us think about air pollution and climate change. In fact, the United Nations (UN) reports that these two issues are among the top five concerns for people globally.
You might be thinking that all these chemicals and fumes are harmful to the atmosphere and to your health. You’d be partially right, but you’d also be underestimating the positive impacts of solar energy. As we’ve established, solar energy has fewer negative effects on the environment than fossil fuels, but it also creates fewer harmful byproducts during its production. This is a double-edged sword and it’s something you have to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of different energy sources.
4. Helps To Alleviate Global Warming
Let’s get one thing straight: Global warming is real, it’s happening and it’s being caused by humans. The good thing is that it’s not a question of if but when the earth will heat up beyond our capacity to control it. This is bad news for us, as we will all be forced to endure rising tides, more frequent extreme weather events and the end of some species. Fortunately, there’s a solution.
The problem is that it requires a lot of effort to change our ways and reduce our energy consumption, which is why so few humans are acting now. If we want to avoid the worst of climate change, we need to get actively involved. One way of doing this is by shifting to solar energy. When more human activity is required to generate the same amount of power as before, you’ll see a significant decrease in your carbon footprint. This is not something you can say about fossil fuels.
5. It Provides A Sustainable Energy Source
The production of solar energy is sustainable because the sun will provide us with enough energy to fuel our planet for many years to come. Fossil fuels are a temporary solution at best, as we’ve established, and we’ll eventually run out of them. Once we do, we’ll be forced to turn to an alternative energy source such as solar. This inevitably leads to sustainability, as we aren’t going to be harming the environment by producing more energy than it can handle.
6. Allows For More Energy To Be Transferred Than You Might Think
This point will surprise you: The more energy you put in, the more you get out. In physics, this is known as the law of conservation of energy. This means that the more energy you bring to bear, the more power you will create. This concept is known as the law of conservation of energy, and it applies to all forms of energy, including nuclear, hydro and solar. The important point to keep in mind is that this law applies to all forms of energy, including those produced by fossil fuels and atomic power. Just think about it: The only differences between these forms of energy and solar energy are in how they’re harvested and the method of conversion. Once you grasp this concept, the idea of spending more energy to generate the same amount of power becomes less daunting. You’ll simply be creating more efficient and powerful energy.
7. Provides A New Opportunity For Women
Another important point to make is that solar energy provides women with a new opportunity. Traditionally, women have played a supporting role in household activities, such as cooking and cleaning, which rely on fossil fuels. Solar energy allows women to have an active role in household functioning, as they can generate their own power and become self-sufficient. This is empowering and it allows them to take an active role in reducing climate change and global warming. It also gives them the ability to provide more for their families.
8. Improves Health Through Better Air Quality
When someone says that solar energy is bad for the environment, what do you think? Fewer pollutants in the air means less toxic smog, better air quality and fewer instances of asthma and other respiratory problems. If you want to avoid these problems, you should certainly consider shifting to solar energy. Additionally, better air quality leads to an overall improvement of health. It’s a double-edged sword, but at least you’re helping in both areas.
Hopefully, this article has convinced you that solar energy has plenty of benefits for the environment. This is a valuable source of power that our planet sorely needs. If you want to do your bit for the environment, consider switching to solar energy. Not only will you be contributing to reducing global warming, but you’ll also be helping to improve health and quality of life for everyone on the planet. It’s a win/win situation.