subject: Advantages of Green Energy [print this page] Advantages of Green Energy Advantages of Green Energy
Green energy is defined as the energy that does not affect the environment and comes from renewable sources. It is also referred as sustainable energy. The production of green energy usually includes technologies that improve energy efficiency. Examples of renewable sources of green energy are wind, sunlight, water, geothermal, hydrogen, biomass, and waste materials. Below are some of the advantages of green energy:
1. Helps in mitigating global warming. The daily use of fossil fuels has led to global warming. In the United States alone about 85% of their energy consumption comes from fossil fuels. If extracting of energy from fossil fuels continues, the earth surface will get warmer in few years time. However, green energy offers a safe way to use and generate energy. It will not damage the environment at the same time can help in mitigating global warming.
2. Prevents acid rain generation. With today's environment, earth's air also comprises of many pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). These gases are produced when fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum are used by industries, vehicles and power plants. The acid rain is formed when water vapor combines with SO2 and NO2. But with the use of green energy, dependence on fossil fuels will decrease thus decreasing the probability of having acid rains.
3. Improves environmental protection. The usage of fossil fuels such as oil comes with many disadvantages and that include oil spills that causes environmental disaster. Just take for example the oil spill in Gulf of Mexico, hundreds of marine wildlife and ecosystems have been ruined. It could have helped in conserving our flora and fauna if the world dependence on oil has been stopped long time ago. The use of green energy greatly helps in conserving our environment since it does not cause any pollution to the environment.
4. Cost effective and improves energy efficiency. Energy from renewable sources is more efficient and cost effective compare to coal and oil power plants. Some people argue that green energy facilities are expensive to build, but these facilities only requires less maintenance thus you can still save a lot by investing on green energy facilities.
5. It is renewable. Green energy can be created continually and can be used repeatedly. The renewable sources of green energy are created continually by nature thus it's unlimited unlike fossil fuels that will eventually be used up entirely.
