Global warming and solar power 

Global warming is here and it’s changing the world as we know it. These effects can be seen everywhere across the globe. Flooding, severe droughts, intense storms – everywhere you turn, the news is talking about extreme weather patterns that wreak havoc on the environment, economy, and society. Climate change is a part of the human experience and will be for years to come. The time to reduce carbon emissions is now. Use this guide to find out how solar and renewable energy can reduce a person’s carbon footprint. Explore why climate change is happening and why it’s important to take action now. 
 

Personal choices when selecting fuel can make a big difference

As people use less energy to heat and cool their homes, the impact on emissions is clear. According to the EIA,(Energy Information Administration)  in 2015, the U.S. generated about 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity. Sixty-seven percent of that electricity was generated by fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum. That same year, the U.S. also emitted nearly 5,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. While these levels seem high, they are actually 12 percent lower than in 2005. One of the largest sources of this change has come from the residential sector. Another significant source of change was transportation. As people travel less, use more efficient vehicles, and simply burn less gasoline, emissions drop. If using electricity generated by fossil fuels, just one kilowatt-hour of electricity can produce 1.76 to 2.07 pounds of CO2, according to the EIA.

One kWh is enough to:
Watch television for 10 hours
Vacuum for an hour
Work on the computer for five to 10 hours
Cook breakfast for a family of four

These actions, while seemingly insignificant, can add up in big ways. In 2014, the average U.S. household was using 911 kWh per month, that’s 10,932 kilowatt-hours per year. 
 

Making conscious choices to conserve energy can make a big difference

The most effective way individuals can avoid carbon emissions is to use clean, renewable solar energy. A comprehensive study conducted by NREL determined the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted over an energy source’s lifetime noted that: “While coal-powered technology used up 1050 g of carbon dioxide per kWh of electricity over its lifetime (a median estimate measured in CO2 eq/kWh), solar PV consumed 55 g CO2 eq/kWh.” The NREL researchers noted that for solar, as technology improves, its carbon footprint will see a downward trend.
 Coal contributes more than 16 times the amount of CO2 emissions compared to solar. Data from the International Atomic Energy Agency reveals that natural gas contributes more than seven times the amount of CO2 emissions relative to solar energy. 
 

Emissions in Your State: The Case for Solar 

The origin of your household’s energy makes a big difference in how environmentally impactful a switch to solar can be. Across the U.S., the two biggest sources of electricity come from coal at 33 percent and natural gas at another 33 percent. However, not all states are equal when it comes to energy consumption and carbon emissions. In fact, CO2 emissions per person can vary wildly by state. For example, Wyoming produces nearly 120 metric tons of CO2 per person, while New York doesn’t even reach 10 metric tons.
These variations are due to a number of factors such as population density, weather and the source of fuel. In Wyoming for example, the winter is cold with average low temperatures in January between 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Heating homes consume a lot of energy, driving up emissions compared to other states. Wyoming also has one of the lowest population densities in the country. New York on the other hand, with the lowest per capita CO2 emissions in the country, has a high population density and a strong mass transit system. Most of its residences are multi-family units that offer more efficient heating and cooling systems, and with the fourth highest electricity price in the U.S., people are motivated to save energy.

Another noticeable factor that affects carbon emissions is how the electricity is generated. The states that boasted lower carbon emissions tend to be those generating non-carbon, cleaner electricity like hydropower or solar. States like Wyoming, on the other hand, use coal as the principal emissions source.
Currently, federal and state governments are attempting to clean up their emissions act. Solar energy is an attractive and realistic solution for many parts of the country that have a higher need to reduce their CO2 emissions.

U.S. Clean Power Plan 

We can figure this stuff out as long as we’re not lazy about it; as long as we don’t take the path of least resistance. … Right now, we’re inventing whole new technologies, whole new industries – not looking backward; we’re looking forward. And if we don’t do it, nobody will.” 

– President Obama, Aug. 3, 2015

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new set of standards known as the Clean Power Plan in August of 2015. This relatively recent plan was developed under the Clean Air Act, which mandates the EPA to take steps toward reducing air pollution harmful to public health. The Clean Power Plan is the first of its kind as it aims to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. Prior to the Plan power plants could release unlimited amounts of CO2 into the air – not only affecting air quality but also contributing to global warming.
The EPA estimates power plants account for one-third of all domestic greenhouse gasses making them the single largest source of carbon pollution in the nation. Not only will the Clean Power Plan cut carbon pollution from the power sector by 30 percent from 2005 levels, it will also cut pollution that leads to smog and soot by over 25 percent in 2030 – something major cities across the U.S. will surely appreciate.

 The EPA notes that the Plan will prevent 2,700 to 6,600 premature deaths and 140,000 to 150,000 asthma attacks in children. Carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases not only impact the environment, they affect public health and safety as well. The DOE notes that the U.S. emits 16 percent of global CO2 emissions, making it second in the world only to China, which contributes 28 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. Per capita, the U.S. releases 17 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year. Electricity emissions are 14,920 pounds per household annually. As a world leader in carbon dioxide emissions, the U.S. is striving to make positive changes through policies and standards enacted through efforts like the Clean Power Plan. 

The U.S. is not the only contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. China and India are the world leaders in carbon emissions. In fact, 10 other countries produce more carbon emissions per capita than the U.S. with Qatar generating an average of 44 metric tons of CO2 per person.  

I hope this article was informative and helpful in your search for alternative energy. For further information, please contact hahasmart.com.

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