The benefits of living in a renewable energy-powered community are numerous. From reducing pollution to improving health, renewable energy can improve your life and your community.
Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are produced locally and therefore are less vulnerable to geopolitical strife or price spikes. They also create jobs and boost local incomes.
1. Low to Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In many parts of the world, the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity, transport and industry causes huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. Switching to renewable energy is one of the most effective ways to reduce those emissions.
The benefits of living in a renewable energy-powered community are numerous. For starters, it’s cheaper than other energy sources.
Moreover, it doesn’t have the same environmental risks as other forms of energy generation. It’s also less affected by geopolitical crisis or price spikes or sudden disruptions in the supply chain.
It can also provide an economic boost to the local economy and create jobs. This is especially true in rural communities, which lack access to clean electricity.
2. Improved Health
Renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal power are clean alternatives to fossil fuels. They produce fewer pollutants that can cause health problems in poor communities, such as respiratory ailments and cancer.
These energy sources also produce lower emissions than diesel-run generators and kerosene lamps. This is important for improving air quality, which can reduce the risk of respiratory illness and premature death.
Developing countries that lack access to traditional energy resources often have a higher risk of disease due to high levels of pollution in the air. By investing in energy infrastructures that run on renewables, these communities can increase access to electricity and improve their quality of life.
In addition, renewables are less vulnerable to geopolitical crises or price spikes that can disrupt supply chains. They are also more resilient to weather-related impacts of climate change.
3. Economic Boom
Living in a renewable energy-powered community can boost the economy. It can also help residents get access to essential amenities, such as heat and electricity, that many impoverished communities lack.
Economic booms occur when real GDP growth exceeds trend rates of growth. They are usually short-lived as they can lead to macroeconomic overheating and inflationary pressures.
A boom can boost consumer confidence and spending. This can increase tax revenue.
In these times of strong demand, businesses expand their production and hire additional workers. This can cause the unemployment rate to decline.
When business expansion happens, it also tends to boost wages. This is because the labor market is tight due to high demand and a low supply of jobs available.
The resulting economic boom can benefit communities and citizens of all ages. It can increase employment, reduce state spending on welfare benefits, and increase tax revenue.
4. Increased Resilience
Solar, wind and geothermal power produce a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by fossil fuels, reducing the risks of climate change. They also produce fewer air pollutants, which is good for our health.
Aside from improving resilience, renewable energy technologies can also help poor communities overcome poverty. Subsidies that offset the initial costs of installing these systems can make them affordable for those who are most economically disadvantaged.
For example, community solar programs in Minneapolis save 92 percent of their subscribers money. They also create jobs and help people get on their feet after an economic downturn.
Another way to increase a community’s resilience is by pairing renewable energy with storage or microgrids. This can reduce the impact of a natural disaster, such as flooding, by allowing critical facilities to keep functioning.