Benefits of Renewable Energy Use - Union of Concerned Scientists
Jul 14, 2008 · In contrast, most renewable energy sources produce little to no global warming emissions. Even when including “life cycle” emissions of clean energy (ie, the emissions from each stage of a technology’s life—manufacturing, installation, operation, decommissioning), the global warming emissions associated with renewable energy are minimal [].
Are Humans the Major Cause of Global Warming? | Union of …
Jul 14, 2009 · Rising carbon dioxide levels. Carbon dioxide (CO 2) is the heat-trapping gas in our atmosphere responsible for most of the warming measured over the past several decades. It’s released during cement manufacturing and when coal, gas, and oil are burned—something humans started doing a great deal of during the Industrial Revolution through to today.
Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with people across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
How the Electricity Grid Works - Union of Concerned Scientists
Feb 17, 2015 · Despite a campaign by Thomas Edison to promote the direct current system, businessman George Westinghouse and inventor Nikola Tesla won the support of electric companies for the alternating current system, which had the distinct advantage of allowing high voltages to be carried long distances and then transformed into lower voltages for customer use [].
Environmental Impacts of Wind Power - Union of Concerned …
Mar 5, 2013 · Wildlife and habitat. The impact of wind turbines on wildlife, most notably on birds and bats, has been widely document and studied. A recent National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) review of peer-reviewed research found evidence of bird and bat deaths from collisions with wind turbines and due to changes in air pressure caused by the spinning turbines, as well as from habitat disruption.
How Coal Works - Union of Concerned Scientists
Dec 15, 2017 · Two dominant methods account for the vast majority of underground coal mining: “room and pillar” and “longwall” mining.. In room and pillar mining, seams of coal are partially mined, leaving large pillars of coal intact to support the overlying layers of rock.When finished, miners practice “retreat” mining, extracting as much …
CO2 and Ocean Acidification | Union of Concerned Scientists
Jan 30, 2019 · CO 2 concentrations drive rising temperatures and acidification. The rising concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is driving up ocean surface temperatures and causing ocean acidification. Although warming and acidification are different phenomena, they interact to the detriment of marine ecosystems. These changes to the ocean aren’t occurring at the same rates everywhere: there ...
Car Emissions & Global Warming - Union of Concerned Scientists
Jul 18, 2014 · Our personal vehicles are a major cause of global warming. Collectively, cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. About five pounds comes from the extraction, production, and delivery of the fuel, while the great bulk of heat-trapping emissions—more than 19 pounds per ...
Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies
Jul 14, 2008 · Solar power. Like wind power, the sun provides a tremendous resource for generating clean and sustainable electricity. The environmental impacts associated with solar power can include land use and habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing, though the types of impacts vary greatly depending on the scale of the system and the technology used—photovoltaic (PV ...
Environmental Impacts of Solar Power - Union of Concerned …
Mar 5, 2013 · The sun provides a tremendous resource for generating clean and sustainable electricity without toxic pollution or global warming emissions. The potential environmental impacts associated with solar power—land use and habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing—can vary greatly depending on the technology, which includes two broad categories: photovoltaic ...