10 Sep 2024
Climate change is an ever-present phenomenon that leaves lasting impacts on our world. Weather patterns are changing and average temperatures are rising, which has the potential to cause destruction and irreparable harm to our land and the human life upon it.
It's in our hands to make the changes required to restore our environment and keep it thriving. Clean energy is at the heart of making this vision of a better world a reality. Learn more about how renewable energy resources like solar power contribute to the fight against global warming.
Understanding Climate Change Climate change has been affecting our world for hundreds of years, dating back to the 1800s. This ongoing phenomenon is most prominently observed in the onslaught of harsh weather and continuous increase in global temperatures, which have risen around 1.2 degrees Celsius — 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit — in the last 200 years.
Around the Industrial Age, scientists began to realize that human activities like using coal, oil and other fossil fuels have an effect on the global climate. From driving cars to heating homes, the fossil fuels burned in these applications release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This gas buildup consequently traps heat from the sun and prevents its escape into space, raising the Earth's overall temperature. With this warmer environment, the long-term effects of climate change include:
Rising sea levels Droughts Wildfires Storms Melting polar ice Flooding Declining biodiversity What Is Clean Energy? Clean energy is a key player in human attempts to slow global warming and mitigate the effects of climate change. Fossil fuels pollute the environment with harmful contaminants such as carbon dioxide, methane and other particulates.
Clean energy, on the other hand, produces no greenhouse gas emissions and is completely renewable, meaning it can be harnessed and generated infinitely. Examples of these renewable energy sources include solar, wind, bioenergy, hydropower and geothermal energy. Taking advantage of these clean, affordable and effective energy sources comes with many advantages, including:
Decreased air pollution Energy independence Lower energy costs Renewability How Clean Energy Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Using clean energy is one of the best ways to produce electricity without creating the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. Fossil fuels must be burned to create power. These substances contain carbon and hydrogen compounds, which means that when they release energy as heat, they also release carbon dioxide, methane, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere.
Clean energy solves this dilemma, offering a safer and more efficient method to produce high-quality energy. This direct conversion process eliminates the need for combustion and harnesses naturally occurring forms of energy such as wind, the flow of water, heat and sunlight. These resources are often collected at, or close to, their source, limiting the need for transportation and minimizing unnecessary energy losses. Some of the ever-evolving technologies involved in this process include:
Wind turbines Solar photovoltaic solar panels Smart grids Solar storage systems Geothermal heat pumps Challenges and Solutions Change is difficult, and it never happens overnight. We've built our world on fossil fuels, and they've become a part of how we go about our daily lives. Because of this fact alone, switching society over to clean energy is a significant challenge. The following are a few of the main difficulties to overcome in making this technology more prevalent:
Access: Constructing high-performance storage solutions is crucial to successfully implementing clean energy, and these are required to support meaningful energy access during times of low generation. Resources like wind and sunlight are not present 24/7, which increases the demand for accessible storage spaces with the capacity and output necessary to satisfy everyday power needs. Public perception: While many advocate for clean energy, there are just as many challengers spreading misinformation. The best way to combat this resistance is to create educational programs, address the misinformation and strive to create trust between providers and customers. Integration: Adding these new resources to the current grids can be complicated due to existing generation patterns, grid stability and political regulations. Raising public awareness while creating a more modern and flexible grid is imperative to accelerating the adoption of clean energy resources. Cost: While switching to renewable energy reduces costs in the long run, converting and replacing current infrastructure requires upfront investment, manpower and time. Future of Clean Energy in Combating Climate Change The future of energy is renewable. Many experts predict that the majority of our energy supply will be generated by clean and renewable resources by 2035. Technology will continue to evolve and adapt to clean energy demands through dedicated research, leading to advancements in materials, infrastructure, storage abilities and other areas. This advancement is being driven by various policies and programs throughout the United States, such as the Energy Act of 2020 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and there will likely be more to come.
How You Can Contribute to the Fight Against Global Warming While it may seem like the damage is done and out of our hands, humans still have the power to better our world. By making adjustments to how you live, you can make incremental changes that lead to lasting improvements. Consider the following actions:
Advocate for clean energy: Being a voice in your community promoting the use and adoption of clean energy is one of the most helpful things you can do to foster a more eco-friendly environment. Support sustainable practices: Make a tangible contribution by supporting local and environmentally focused organizations committed to adhering to best practices and workflows designed to minimize carbon emissions. Implement clean energy solutions at home: Installing solar panels, taking public transport and using water-saving fixtures are meaningful, easy-to-implement changes you can make in your everyday life. Connect With Northeastern Power to Start Doing Your Part Acknowledging the severity of climate change is the first step to living a greener life. At Northeastern Power, we understand the significance of having meaningful access to clean energy and strive to provide homes and businesses with a steady supply throughout the New York region. We're a fully licensed and integrated energy provider specializing in sustainable solutions with the expertise and resources to empower communities in the battle against climate change.
Contact our team online to learn more about how our professionals can support you in living a greener life.
