by Garvin Nelson

Created on: October 28, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

There is no denying the positive effects to the environment by the maximum utilization of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal, biomass and others. Actually defining the benefits are actually a little difficult even though they should be obvious.

The easiest benefit to sees benefit would be the reduction in the production of carbon dioxide the most prominent green house gas. There are also other greenhouse gases involved here and the second most common one emitted by energy production is methane. This gas is released whenever coal is mined in vast quantities and is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

Another benefit in alternative energy sources is with the exception of hydroelectric practically no potable water used in their production of energy. Thermo electric power generation uses huge quantities water in the production of electricity. A prime example of this is shown by ware usage in the United States where 48% of surface water used thermo electric power plants (Coal, Gas and Nuclear power plants are defined as thermo electric types)
(1).
There is at present major stress on all major aquifers around the world, with increased demand and changing climate patterns that affect the replenishment of these aquifers. Thus any reduction in demand for energy production would be a help in what could become a global crisis. (2)

Less habitat destruction. Less thermo electric power plants mean less fuel would be needed and less drilling, and mining would need to be done. Which means less habitat will be lost and the habitat will be healthier. Healthy forest, rivers, streams and oceans will sink more carbon and reduce climate change caused by human activity. Also forest help in the replenishment of aquifers which is becoming a global issue as mentioned before.

Improved Quality of life for people. There was a recent research done that suggest the quality of life for persons living near coal fired power plants is reduced(3). Look at the emission from a typical coal fired plant and you could understand why(4).

3 700 000 tons of carbon dioxide (green house gas)
10 000 tons sulfur dioxide (causes acid rain)
500 tons of small particulates (causes lung diseases)
10 200 tons nitrogen oxide (acid rain, smog and a green house gas)
720 tons of carbon monoxide
220 tons of volatile hydrocarbons
170 tons mercury (toxic metal)
225 pounds arsenic (toxic element)
114 pounds of lead (toxic metal)
4 pounds of cadmium (toxic metal)
Trace amounts of Uranium, thorium

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