The Extra Benefits of Solutions
The solutions to climate change don’t just help with climate change, they also create many more benefits - saving money, cleaner air, more local jobs and a safer world. Learn more below!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
The Solutions to climate change come with huge extra benefits that reach far beyond just addressing climate change. They save money, improve our health, create jobs, improve our local economy and can create a safer, more equitable world. Learn more about the great extra benefits of climate solutions below.
1Cleaner, Healthier Air
The cost of these health impacts is also significant and has a serious impact on family budgets, businesses and the economy as a whole. If the added health costs of fossil fuels were included in the price of fossil fuel powered electricity, it would make renewable energy sources extremely cheap in comparison. Add in the costs of emissions from fossil-fueled (gasoline and diesel) powered cars and trucks and burning fossil fuels like natural gas and fuel oil at home, and the health costs are even higher. Transitioning away from fossil fuels will create a much cleaner and healthier environment for our children and everyone today.
2Lower Energy Costs
If you invest in solar panels for your home, the annual savings on your electric bill generally pays off the investment in 5-10 years. Then, after this, the power you generate from your panels is free for the lifetime of the panels. With a lifetime of generally 25+ years, that's a lot of free energy! It works the same for renewable energy at larger scales. Once the initial cost to install a large solar field or wind farm is paid off, the cost to operate is extremely low. Over the long term, renewable energy can significantly lower energy costs to families and businesses across the U.S.
Fossil fuels on the other hand are expensive to extract, refine and transport - and we are running out. There is only so much fossil fuel in the ground. Although we are currently experiencing an unusual period of low prices, this will likely not last. Fossil fuel prices are projected to continue to rise dramatically in the future. Prices for renewable energy sources, on the other hand have dramatically decreased in recent years and will continue to drop. The faster we transition, the more we protect ourselves from future fossil fuel price shocks.
3More U.S. and Local Jobs
- Renewable Energy Jobs = over 500,000
- Clean Vehicle Jobs = over 250,000
- Energy Efficiency Jobs = over 2.3 million
- Solar alone employs more than twice the number of coal workers
- There are clean energy jobs in all but two of America’s 3007 counties
- Clean Energy Job Growth is expected at 6% in 2019
With the Paris Agreement and a global commitment in 2015 from all countries around the world to transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy, the global market and demand for clean energy technology and jobs is projected to grow exponentially in the coming years. This will happen whether the U.S. joins in or not. We must not miss this opportunity! It is time for the U.S. to be at the forefront and lead the industry, creating significant opportunity for new investment and jobs in the U.S.
4Local Control, Local Benefits
5National Security, Global Stability
Drought, reduced crop yields and water shortages are all impacts from climate change that many areas of the world are seeing now. This can lead to increased tension over resources. When these conditions are present it can increase the likelihood of instability in countries. Climate change is one of the factors in the conflicts in both Sudan and Syria. The sooner we transition to clean, renewable energy sources, the lower the impacts will be, creating a safer world.
6A Better Future, Being Good Neighbors
Just as we come together as a community in our city, working with our neighbors to reach community goals, we should also consider how our efforts will help to lessen the impact on our neighbors around the world. We have the biggest impact, but we also have the biggest opportunity to make a difference in the future, not only for our children, but for children all around the world.