In our increasingly automated, high-tech world, electricity is a basic necessity of modern life in developed nations. It is also considered a key element in improving the quality of life in impoverished regions. We need power to make progress, but, according to climate scientists, we are destroying the planet to make power.
What is green energy?
A number of solutions to the coal pollution problem have
been suggested, experimented with, or implemented through the years. Unfortunately,
the most popular (at least, popular with power companies) have failed to live
up to their promises.
- Clean coal is touted as a solution by industrial lobbyists, but environmentalists call it a myth. Improved techniques may reduce the pollution, but coal cannot be mined and used for fuel without an environmental impact – a significant and negative one. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/04/coal/nijhuis-text
- Despite promises of safety, fracking has been implicated in numerous illnesses and cases of water contamination, even leading to lawsuits. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/14/bokoshe-fracking-waste-disposal-class-action-suit_n_4268732.html
- Nuclear energy is said to be “green,” but one accident can spell devastation for generations, as demonstrated by the infamous Chernobyl disaster three decades ago has demonstrated. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chernobyl-the-catastrophe-that-never-ended/
- Hydropower was once thought of as the great renewable energy. However, the mega-dams built to sustain it have submerged countless acres of habitat, and destroyed local ecosystems. http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/is-hydropower-really-a-clean-power-source.html
True clean, green energy must be harvested without
environmental destruction, and processed without pollution. Innovative
solutions, such as systems utilizing the power of ocean currents, are promising
but further research and development are needed to determine the environmental
impact and economic feasibility. So far, wind and solar remain the staples of
the green energy movement.
A ray of sun in the darkness of the energy dilemma
Wind power is not easily scalable for the individual user,
leaving solar energy as the shining star of consumer systems. Rooftop panels
can turn your home into its own power-generator. With increased interest and
availability, these systems are becoming more affordable. A solar system is an
investment that can pay for itself with savings on your utility bill, if saving
the planet isn’t enough incentive. There are even options for leasing panels,
though experts warn to be sure you understand the terms before signing a
contract.
It’s hard to argue with the benefits of rooftop solar, but
it is admittedly a big financial commitment, and it’s not an option for
everyone. Perhaps you live in an apartment, or a rental house. Perhaps you
simply aren’t ready to commit to a full, and potentially pricey system. That
doesn’t mean you can’t go solar, at least a little. In fact, due to scalability
and economical production, it seems we’re going solar bit by bit, and the
benefits aren’t just environmental. Small solar panels are becoming the go-to
solution for convenience in many applications.
Are you tired of your smartphone or tablet going dead
half-way through your day at the beach? Try a solar charger. Do you want
landscape lighting on the patio, where there is no outlet? Try solar powered
lights. How about a soothing fountain, in the secluded spot in the back yard?
You guessed it – avoid the cord, and choose a solar powered model. From
batteries and generators to fans and boom boxes, the variety of solar-powered
consumer devices continues increasing, and in many cases, the price is
decreasing. http://www.pcworld.com/article/217479/15_energy_saving_solar_powered_gadgets.html
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