The COVID Pandemic is serving as a catalyst for countless nations around the globe to reflect upon their priorities, and most importantly, to ensure health for their citizens. One Harvard study stated one urgency – pollution affects everyone, and it does so in a severe manner. The effects of climate change are rising in severity around the world. In the United States alone, the life cycle costs and public health affects of coal accumulate to a staggering $74..6 billion every single year. Health related illnesses that have been proven to be linked to pollution include heart attacks, neurological damage, cancer, premature death, and many, many more serious illnesses… all of which could be prevented if we were to utilize renewable energy and to do our research as conscious citizens.

It is essential that we begin to adopt sources for energy that are environmentally friendly, to ensure that individually and collectively, we continue to tackle the climate crisis and the rising GHG emissions. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, it is no surprise that the accumulation of fossil fuels and other anthropogenic emissions lead to catastrophic consequences such as drought, sea level rise, and extinction.

The benefits of renewable energy are bountiful – and we are all well aware of the minimal impact that renewable energy sources have on the environment and human health. In contrast to the fossil fuel industry and the carbon emissions which are released and cause health related illnesses – renewable energy sources are scientifically proven to release little to no emissions into the atmosphere… while also considering the life cycle of a solar system and of clean energy including installation, operation, and manufacturing. Consequently, it is not just carbon emissions and air quality which would improve. Solar and wind energy both do not require any water whatsoever in order to be fully operated, and the water could alternatively be utilized for drinking water as well as used towards our agricultural sector. Coal mining and natural gas both have dramatic impacts on our resources, and it well known that power plants require water for cooling purposes.

One thing is for certain – the decision we make to either adopt or reject renewable resources has an impact not only on our energy and our budget, but also on our health, environment, and the potential prosperity of future generations which are yet to come. What will you decide?