“Clean energy” is a term that most of us have heard, but how many of us know what it means or why it really matters? Energy powers everything from transportation to lighting and in between. It even plays a role in the production of food, clothes, and other resources. Clearly, energy is crucial to our quality of life. But given our heavy reliance on energy, it’s important to ensure that our energy use isn’t harmful to the planet.
In order for energy to be considered clean, power must be generated by facilities that do not emit greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide. This is important because greenhouse gasses are responsible for diminishing the ozone layer and contributing to climate change, which can have extremely severe effects.
Clean energy is also sometimes called carbon neutral or carbon free and often overlaps with renewable energy sources, which naturally replenish over time. Some clean energy is also green energy, meaning it provides the greatest environmental benefit. Energy that is clean, green, and renewable is the most sustainable way to power our planet. Let’s take a look at how we can bring clear energy to the forefront.
And we need it to be affordable too
Clean energy isn’t very useful if it’s not accessible. For example, if only corporations and the wealthy can afford solar panels, a large portion of the population will still be forced to rely on fossil fuels. However, there are clean and affordable energy solutions that ensure we all have access to a quality of life without sacrificing our planet’s ecosystem.
Fortunately, clean energy is more affordable than it has ever been, with prices for wind, solar, and hydroelectric power all decreasing significantly since 2010. As generations continue, clean energy will hopefully become more commonplace and, therefore, even more affordable.
Investing in these clean energy sources not only benefits the ecosystem, but the economy as well. Increased investment in clean energy produces new jobs and reduces healthcare expenses by minimizing the risk of pollution related illnesses. It also alleviates the strain of poverty by making reliable energy more accessible, which in turn improves living conditions, education opportunities, and financial development in low income communities.
Doing your part
How can we make clean and affordable energy a reality for everyone? On an individual level, the most impactful thing we can do is raise awareness about the availability and necessity of clean energy in the face of this climate crisis. If you represent a business or corporation, there are ways you can take action within your workplace to support clean energy solutions. If you’re jumping into a new career, what better time to make clean energy part of your workplace practice?
Climate change has serious consequences and is already impacting our quality of life, so it’s important to keep our energy clean and safe for our environment. Curious about the real effects of climate change? Check out our article on whether too much sunlight can kill crops to learn more.