Benefits of Solar

 

Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source. It saves money, creates local jobs, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, protects health and the environment, expands energy independence and security, enhances economic competitiveness and community prosperity, and safeguards future generations. And, contrary to popular belief, a group of Stanford University researchers has released a plan for the United States to transition away from fossil fuels entirely and be powered 100% by renewable energy by 2050. [1]

 

The dangers posed by continued dependence on fossil fuels means continued use of extreme extraction methods (e.g., tar sands mining, mountaintop removal, and hydraulic fracturing) that cause sever damage to the environment and people’s health. These damages include high levels of toxic chemicals in the air, water, and soils; high energy and water use in the extraction processes; huge health and environmental consequences and cleanup costs that have mainly been externalized; national security concerns and their relationship to international conflicts and war; climate change; and the growing wealth consolidation by the industry and inequalities in wealth and political power in the U.S.

 

Even though fossil fuels will remain an important part of the energy mix into the future their use will inevitably decline. Strategies for moving beyond fossil fuels include diversifying the nation’s energy mix to include expanding its clean and renewable energy capacity and decreasing its energy demand over time through conservation, demand management, and energy efficiency. Both strategies should be applied in buildings, transportation, food production, green infrastructure, and appliances. States and utilities today are beginning to employ these strategies already. 

 

References:

[1] Stanford News Service. (2015). Stanford engineers develop state-by-state plan to convert U.S. to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050.