Solar energy is the type of energy that is derived from sun light. It is one of the most environment friendly power sources available in the world. There are several environmental benefits of using solar power and the biggest advantage is that there are no carbon emissions from using solar energy. There is no air pollution and it is a renewable source of energy. More than being renewable it is abundantly available across the world. Also, it is more reliable natural source than wind.
While using wind energy is also a genuine cause to protect the environment, the installation and huge sized equipment tend to create a different type of pollution — noise pollution. If just one wind mill is located at a distance, one may not hear and feel the noise. However, if there are too many wind mills in one area, the noise levels will be much higher and can become a source of noise pollution. That is why people often prefer solar energy systems to wind energy systems.
Installation of solar power system is very simple and it does not take much space. It is not noisy and it is used just to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. It does not give out any toxic waste or poisonous gases. If a lot of people use solar energy, then the burning of coal, which is a fossil fuel, to generate electricity may come down rather significantly. This will help us to preserve the fossil fuels, reduce the carbon emissions and also downsize the progress of global warming.
Taking into consideration the numerous benefits, one can say without a doubt that the impact of solar power on the environment is actually a positive one. Today, the efficiency and dependability of solar energy is questioned. However, technology dealing with solar power is constantly improving and soon we may have a solution to both these questions.
Scientists have already warned the world of the possible results of global warming some thirty years ago. After recent wars it is the biggest threat to our way of life. Due to the change of climate which is the result of global warming, destructive storms prevail, floods and landslides aggravate, sea level are rising, droughts affect crops and livestock production, glaciers are melting. These are some of the catastrophes brought about which need speedy solutions and a strong resolve to cope with the situation. But have we done anything to rectify the problem? Do we allow it to carry on without fighting it?
This cooperation of government with its citizens and companies and with other countries should aim to grow research and experimentation on the long term effect of climate change. How will it affect our rain forests and the world’s major bodies of water like the lakes, rivers, oceans, and the livelihood of people who are depending on them. Addressing all such environmental issues is desperately needed to tackle the effect of global warming. We need to start reducing carbon emission and emission of other greenhouse gases, teach people about climate change issues and what practical solutions are feasible.
Each country has to map out of how much carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases it produces and emits into the atmosphere and in the same way it has to decide how much greening of the environment through reforestation in the rural areas and planting of plants and trees in urban areas is needed to neutralize these harmful gases emitted into the air. Once these gases are in the atmosphere, they stay there for a long time thus trapping the heat in the lower atmosphere and radiating some of it back to earth. With huge amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere it would increase the global surface temperature.
Through environmental awareness, every person can contribute in his own little way to combat global warming. Every little thing you can do at home in the use of gas emitting equipment or vehicles will help. You need to minimize their use if you cannot totally avoid them. Any equipment or vehicle using oil and gas produces carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gas is emitted by compressor-run equipment like airconditioning units, refrigeration and freezing units, etc. which need to be reduced because of the effect it can bring to our ozone layer. These gases are the most devastating global warming gases which remain in the atmosphere for a long time. Energy efficient appliances should be encouraged and by saving energy help reduce gas emission of power plant generators generating electricity.
