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Human health and solar energy

Millie HennickSeptember 12, 2018 367 0

Human health and solar energy

The trend toward solar power is necessary today in light of the damaging effects of global warming. The overall health of the planet is being affected by the combustion of fossil fuels and nuclear power. Researchers are beginning to study the benefits of the renewable energy revolution. Clearly, the burning of fossil fuels is extremely dangerous to the overall health of the planet as many studies have suggested. The substantial increase in wind and solar energy helped prevent the premature deaths of up to 12,700 people over a nine-year period in the United States, according to a new study. This demonstrates the wider benefits of abandoning fossil fuels beyond limiting global warming.

Lower carbon emissions with solar power

Lower carbon emissions were worth billions of dollars as a result of the elimination of the range of problems perpetuated by fossil fuels, according to a study published in the journal, Nature Energy. The UK Government has pledged that the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned from 2040 – a deadline analyzed by environmentalists as being too far in the future to make a useful difference. By contrast, Norway plans to phase out such vehicles by 2025.

Thousands of human deaths due to air pollution

According to the Royal College of Physicians, about 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are “attributable to exposure to outdoor air pollution”, which has been associated with “cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, diabetes, obesity and changes linked to dementia”.

Another study, which was funded by the US Department of Energy, found there had been significant declines in major air pollutants between 2007 and 2015.

Carbon dioxide fell by 20 percent, sulfur dioxide by a staggering 72 percent, nitrogen oxide by 50 percent and tiny particles known as PM2.5 by 46 percent. Some of this was due to fossil fuels being replaced by renewable energy, tougher emission regulations also played a part. Sulfur dioxide emissions decreased from nine million tons in 2007 to 2.5 million tons in 2015 after coal power plants were forced to install equipment that filters gas in order to meet air quality standards.

Agriculture, floods, and human health

These include “changes to agricultural productivity, energy use, losses from disasters such as floods, human health, and general ecosystem services”.

Sam Bright, a lawyer at environmental activist group ClientEarth, which has twice successfully sued the Government over inadequate air quality plans, stated it was clear that "moving away from coal brings major health benefits".

But he added: "It's essential that we make sure we use the opportunity the end of coal gives us to create the energy system of the future.

"That means replacing coal power stations with renewables, yes, but also making sure energy efficiency is top of the agenda and we build storage and flexibility into the system to lower and manage demand.

"A cleaner, more flexible energy system will mean fewer emissions of those pollutants that are harming people and our planet."

There has never been a better time to go solar!

In today's world, particularly in urban areas, the simple act of breathing can be a potential hazard. Every solar energy system that is installed helps because it means fewer fossil fuels are being burned to meet your energy requirements. But the financial benefits of going solar are even more enticing for some folks. Due to technological advances and solar panel price drops, solar energy is more affordable than ever before. So, not only do you feel proud to generate your own energy, you also help save the planet and save money on your electric bill month after month.

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.

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