The future is here! Most of us have heard the term “going green” in reference to making more environmentally friendly decisions and lifestyles. It is a trend that (thankfully!) is catching on and gaining momentum, as we are beginning to see the real effects of using more conventional ways of living, such as our raised carbon emissions and warming of our planet.
Renewable energy includes resources that rely on natural resources that restore themselves or do not diminish, such as sun, wind, and water. Green energy is electricity that is produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas (a mixture of gases, primarily consisting of methane and carbon dioxide, produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste or food waste), eligible biomass (organic matter used as fuel), and low-impact small hydroelectric sources.
What is the difference between renewable and green energy?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), green energy provides the highest environmental benefit and includes power produced by things such as solar and wind.
Renewable energy, while encompassing the same sources as green energy, more broadly includes technologies and products which can have a considerable impact on both local and global environment.
How do green energy products work?
It’s important to understand the energy you use will always include green, renewable, AND conventional energy-regardless of which products you purchase. This is because all of the energy sources I’m the electric grid are combined once they enter the power transmission grid.
Ultimately, by buying green energy-you are not directly purchasing green power for your home, but are instead paying for a small premium that covers the cost of putting more renewable energy into the grid.
Why this premium? This cost contributes to green energy projects, such as the development and maintenance of solar fields and wind farms. As this movement gains more funding, less of the energy that we consume will be produced by conventional methods are unsustainable, contribute to air pollution, and harm the environment.
Why is green energy important?
The materials we have relied on thus far such as oil and coal to provide us energy, are non-renewable and expel pollution into our environment and atmosphere. These sources will eventually run out, and inflict even worse environmental harm. Green energy will help us lessen at least some of these issues.
