"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."
-Mother Teresa
It is easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless when confronted with a problem as vast, complicated and contentious as environmental pollution. The situation we are in now was not caused by one person or one technology. It was the result of millions of people making millions of small decisions. We have the power to start repairing our environment, and all it takes is a few small changes to the way we live.
Solar power is one of the technologies that can work to make our environment cleaner and healthier. Let's look at how.
Most of the energy that we consume comes from fossil fuels. When fossil fuels are burned, they release energy that we can harvest, as well as airborne particles that contribute to illnesses, create acid rain and contribute to climate change. It is crucial for us to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels if we hope to leave a healthy and prosperous planet for future generations.
Solar Power is Clean Energy
Most people understand that solar power is clean energy, and by using this energy we are not only reducing our own dependency on fossil fuels, we are reducing the total global dependency on traditional forms of energy. This means fewer emissions, leading to cleaner, healthier air and water.
Protecting Our Ecosystems
Traditional forms of energy effect our ecosystems in ways that may not be immediately apparent. Many of us don't consider the connection between our need for electricity and such effects as oil spills, nuclear waste and an increase in natural disasters. Energy sources such as oil and coal have to be mined from the ground, which causes large-scale habitat disruption.
Many power plants take water from local lakes and rivers to use for cooling, disrupting water-based ecosystems. Solar panels don't need to be cooled or drilled from the ground. They don't require anything except sunshine.
Environmentally Sustainable Manufacturing
Top-quality solar panels are now more easily accessible to the American public with the expansion of LG Solar™’s Huntsville, Alabama manufacturing plant. Producing the panels domestically reduces the carbon footprint associated with transport.
Many of the products that make up solar panels are easily attainable without mining. For example, glass and silicone are both created from sand. While aluminum and other metals are used in solar panels, they are also reusable when the panel is replaced.
A top-quality solar panel will provide you with clean, renewable energy for decades, however, when it is finally time to upgrade, you'll be happy to know that all the major components of a solar panel (aluminum, glass, and silicone) can be recycled.
Starting a Conversation
Friends and neighbors may be curious about this new project you have undertaken, or they might want to know how to improve the environment (and lower their energy bills while they're at it). This gives you a great opportunity to explain your project and what led you to invest in it.
Solar Panels are Part of a Bigger Solution
Installing solar panels is a great way for you and your family to act as advocates for the planet. However, there are many other actions you can take as well. Initiatives such as turning out your lights when you aren't using them, carpooling or taking public transit instead of driving, and recycling and composting household waste are all excellent ways to help us preserve the only planet we've got!
Installing solar panels is a huge step towards reducing our dependence on traditional forms of energy such as fossil fuels. Reducing this dependency is key to making the planet a better place to live.
