Earth Day is being celebrated on Tuesday, April 22. This year’s theme is Our Power, Our Planet, calling for everyone to unite around the use of renewable energy with the goal of tripling global renewable energy generation by 2030. Earthday.org stresses that as fossil fuels continue to drive climate change through the generation of greenhouse gas emissions, the shift to alternative forms of energy is more critical than ever to support sustainability worldwide.
What is Renewable Energy?
As described by the United Nations (UN), renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Generating renewable energy creates significantly lower emissions than burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. A few common sources of renewable energy are described below.
- Solar energy is one of the most common forms of green energy resources. Solar technologies can deliver heat, cooling, natural lighting, electricity, and fuels for a variety of applications.
- Wind power harnesses the kinetic energy of moving air by using large wind turbines located both onshore and offshore. According to the UN, the world’s wind power potential exceeds global electricity production. In most regions of the world, ample potential exists to enable significant wind energy use.
- Geothermal energy uses the natural heat from below the Earth’s surface. Heated water is extracted from geothermal reservoirs using wells or other means. Once on the surface, fluids of various temperatures can be used to generate electricity, or directly for heating and cooling.
- Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, harnesses the energy of water in reservoirs and rivers moving from higher to lower elevations to create energy. Hydropower is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy in the electricity sector.
Is Renewable Energy an Option for Your Business?
Companies looking for more sustainable energy sources have different options to procure renewable energy. According to the Colorado Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), one of the most common renewable energy choices for businesses is commercial solar power to generate electricity. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops, parking lots, and unused land. For some facilities, the use of wind turbines is another alternative. Many utilities also offer the option to purchase green power by paying a different rate for electricity generated from renewable sources.
The benefits for businesses using renewable energy include the following:
- Cost savings as renewable energy such as solar and wind generated power is often less expensive than traditional energy sources. As technology advances, the cost savings will continue. According to Earthday.org, sustainable energy solutions can significantly lower utility costs, with solar panels potentially reducing expenses by as much as 75%.
- Energy independence as businesses can generate their own electricity with renewable energy systems, reducing reliance on the grid, and overall lessening the need for imported energy, technologies, and materials.
- Tax incentives are offered by many states to provide funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also offers clean energy tax incentives and credits for businesses. More information about available financial incentives can be found by clicking on the appropriate state on this interactive map.
- Sustainability initiatives support using renewable energy to lower a company’s carbon footprint to help combat climate change. Renewable energy is the desired option because it doesn’t run out and has less of an environmental impact.
According to Earthday.org in their Renewable Energy Petition, transitioning to renewable energy is the key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fighting climate change, and providing sustainable power worldwide. If your organization is considering converting, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the Guide to Purchasing Green Power, which may be a helpful resource.
Earth Day is a great time to look at your company’s environmental impact and to develop or enhance its sustainability practices. Contact us to learn how we can help provide tailored solutions to assist with meeting your organization’s goals for reducing its carbon footprint.
This Blog was written by Beth Graham, Safety Partners’ Director of Quality, Research, and Training.
