How Does Green Energy Help the Environment?

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Green energy is a category of renewable resources that provides the highest environmental benefit. It restores itself while having little to no emissions or carbon footprint. Due to its minimal environmental impact, green energy is considered the healthiest form of power for the planet. Green energy sources include wind, solar, geothermal, qualifying biomass, and low-impact small hydropower.

Traditional energy sources, such as coal and natural gas, have significant environmental impacts when extracted and used for power. Conventional power usually requires drilling into the earth’s surface, often polluting and harming nearby ecosystems. Similarly, when burned for energy, they emit greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

With worries about climate change growing stronger, the shift towards green and renewable resources has become more prevalent as individuals and companies work to improve the planet’s longevity.

The difference between green and renewable energy

While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between “green energy” and “renewable energy.”

Like green energy sources, renewable energy naturally replenishes but can have some environmental impacts. A prime example is biomass — organic material from plants and animals. Wood is a very common form of biomass energy, which we can burn to create fire. While trees naturally grow to produce firewood, burning biomass sources releases carbon dioxide.

So, while biomass is a form of renewable energy, it is less “green” than other power sources, such as wind or solar, which naturally renew without causing any direct harm to the environment.

This Earth Day marks another year of growth for renewable energy in the U.S. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), wind energy generation has grown 6.6% since last year. Meanwhile, solar power has increased 21.7% across the country.

Wind and solar are generally considered the “greenest” energy sources because they occur naturally, replenish frequently, and have no emissions. The upward trend of wind and solar generation over time shows that investments in renewable energy continue to multiply and offer an optimistic path forward for residential and commercial electricity generation.

Caption: U.S. solar and wind energy generation over the past two decades, according to Eia.gov.

Which states produce the most green energy?

Texas and California stand out the most for green energy production in the United States. Texas leads the nation for wind production, while California ranks first in solar power generation. In both states, wind and sunshine are abundant and offer excellent opportunities to take advantage of these natural resources.

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you can utilize green energy in several ways. Some of these include a significant investment, such as installing solar panels on your roof or driving an electric vehicle (EV). However, there are other small ways to benefit from green energy and help the environment at the same time:

• Use a solar-powered water heater.
• Plant trees around your home for shade and natural cooling in the summer, and to block wind in the winter.
• Use as much natural light as possible to reduce your energy consumption.
• Sign up for an energy plan sourced from renewable energy, such as those offered by Gexa Energy, Green Mountain Energy, and TriEagle Energy. Enter your ZIP code and select the green energy filter to explore options in your area.
• Join a community solar program, where you pay a monthly fee to share the power generated by a solar farm with other participants.

With these methods, you can help create an environment with sustainable energy for years to come.