There is a dire need for the planet so stop burning so many fossil fuels and adopt a more sustainable energy program. Pollution can be greatly reduced by our increased solar energy production. To illustrate the impact, it is estimated that adding another 100 GW of solar capacity in the United States would prevent emissions of at least 70,000 tons of nitrous oxide and 126,000 tons of sulfur dioxide annually. This would greatly benefit the diversity of our ecosystems but also ensure the health of our crops and freshwater resources.
One of the most desirable features of solar energy is that electricity generation with solar panels does not produce any greenhouse gasses. Some greenhouse gases are emitted during the manufacture and installation of a solar power system, but this amount is still at least ten times lower than emissions of a standard coal-fueled power plant. Some sources report that improvements in the efficiency of solar technology will result in further decreases in the overall amount of emissions. This is in strong contrast to fossil fuels, which are currently responsible for releasing 75 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions on the planet.
Even though carbon dioxide is naturally present in the atmosphere, our energy sector has been changing its natural concentrations since the Industrial Revolution to the point that our planet cannot support this increased level without outcomes such as global warming. Solar power has a great potential for lowering the impact of the energy sector on climate change. A research study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicates that replacing coal power plants with 100 GW of solar power could eliminate over 100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Even now, the 20 GW of solar installations operating in the United States offset 17 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
An important discovery recently advised that solar panels in cities might have a cooling effect of up to two degrees on the surrounding area. This happens because structures with solar panels capture and convert solar energy into electricity, while buildings without solar panels absorb some of the incoming radiation from the sun, transforming it into heat. Solar panels on rooftops could affect city climates by keeping the urban heat island effect at a minimum during summer heat waves.
In addition to endangering our clean drinking water supply, the energy industry also contributes to severe contamination of our water systems. An analysis done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that 72 percent of heavy metal water contamination originates from coal power plants. This makes them the main source of water pollution in the United States. Pollution also happens when power plants pump used water back into natural bodies of water. This water returned to these water sources is often much warmer than normal and causes health problems to many aquatic animals such as fish and amphibians, who are unable to sustain dramatic temperature changes.
The mining industry, especially coal, also plays a significant role in water quality degradation. Mining often exposes rocks with heavy metal content or sulfur minerals. When rainwater reacts with them, it carries them off to soils, lakes, and rivers. Local ecosystems and agricultural lands then become toxic to plants, animals, and humans. Solar farms leave local water resources intact and pollution-free. They also do not compete with agriculture, drinking systems, and other vital water requirements.
Make the change to solar today to make a difference in our environment!
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