Why 'clean energy' is important for a sustainable future
Clean Energy or what?
by Faith Ogbonna
Image: Unsplash Stock Images
What comes to your mind when you hear the words ‘Clean energy’ ? It is basically energy that's produced without pumping greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A lot of people tend to associate it with solar panel or wind turbines but there are more sources. Some other examples include hydro and geothermal.
You might be wondering why this is important. Here’s the thing, if we’re being honest we’ve been witnessing several weather changes this year alone- in the US for example, places like Atlanta and Houston that barely see snow during the winter have received a huge amount of snow and in Nigeria, harmattan which appears during the dry season is barely there, with some parts of the country experiencing drought while others floods.
Greenhouse gases play a huge role in this change - by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, they cause temperatures to rise which leads to global warming and climate change. These gases come from different sources. However, it has been reported by the United Nations that fossil fuels are responsible for more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and nearly 90% of all CO2 emissions.
“The rate of carbon dioxide released has increased by more than 40 percent since pre-industrial times, from approximately 280 parts per million (ppm) in the 18th century to 419 ppm in 2023. ”
Air pollution from burning fossil fuels can lead to serious health problems like respiratory diseases. Exploring and producing fossil fuels can lead to oil spills and water contamination, which harm ecosystems and human health. Switching our dependence to clean energy will not only protect our environment from these threats but will save human health by cutting down pollution-related illnesses.
How can you help?
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How can you help? 〰️
Image: Unsplash Stock Images
You’re probably wondering what you as an individual could do that would make a difference, no? Well, here’s a few…
Support clean energy policies: Get behind policies that prioritize renewable energy and sustainability through voting or speaking/writing to your constituent representative on reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Make the switch to energy-efficient living: Simple changes like upgrading to energy-efficient appliances like light bulbs, investing in solar panels (these may be offered by institutions or tax backs/cut by the government) can make a big difference in reducing energy consumption based on fossil fuels.
Advocate for change: Support organizations and campaigns that push for businesses and governments to invest more in green solutions and sustainable energy sources.
Now more than ever, the shift to clean energy is key to ensuring a healthier planet for future generations! Are you in?