Development projects have the potential to damage our natural environment, therefore at Lizard Landscape Design and Ecology, sustainability is at the forefront of our ethos. Working with clients and design teams, we seek to retain and protect the natural environment of woodland, trees, hedgerows and grassland through sustainable land usage.
One way we can all do our part in protecting the environment by utilising renewable energy when possible, and this blog will detail some tangible benefits of switching over to such energy sources. From the generation of employment throughout The United Kingdom, to the reduction of dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, here are the reasons we should be sitting up and taking notice of renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Explained
Whereas traditional energy sources like oil and coal accelerate climate change by releasing greenhouse gases when burned, renewable energy comes from sources that are naturally replenished and infinite, such as the sun and wind. Renewable energy either doesn’t emit carbon or absorbs as much carbon as it emits, rendering it carbon neutral and therefore sustainable. With assurances that all of The UK's electricity will come from clean sources by 2035, familiarising yourself with the benefits before renewable energy becomes even more commonplace isn’t a bad idea at all.
Five of the most prominent forms of renewable energy are:
● Solar energy produced by the sun.
● Geothermal energy produced by the heat from inside the earth.
● Biomass from plants.
● Wind energy.
● Hydropower produced by flowing water.
Throughout human history, biomass has been the most prominent energy source, with plants long being burned for heat and used to feed animals. Energy sources which are non-renewable began replacing most renewable energy usage in the early-19th century, and this has continued into the 21st century.
The Creation Of Jobs And Economic Development
Environmentalists and economists argue that the renewable energy industry could play a huge role in developing economies, with suggestions that the British economy could benefit from billions in investment, while thousands of jobs could be created in succession. It is anticipated that Scottish Power will invest billions in the UK’s renewable energy industry in the coming years, which is also expected to produce plenty of employment opportunities in the process.
Unlike the mechanised fossil fuels industry, the renewable energy industry is labour intensive, therefore it creates more jobs. By having a people-driven workforce, the renewables sector continually invests in the creation of jobs. Playing an integral role in helping to offset the impact of climate change, the renewable energy industry is at the forefront of technological development with a range of employment opportunities arising within the sector for a variety of skill sets.
Less Air Pollution
Burning fossil fuels emits pollutants into the air, contributing to the formation of smog and acid rain among other harmful conditions. Burning these fossil fuels also emits greenhouse gases into the air. pollutants which not only wreak havoc on the environment, but harm our health as well.
Some of the most significant impacts that non-renewables have is on air quality. Renewable energy sources help to improve air quality and human health by supplying electricity or heat without combustion. As a result of this, technologies such as wind power, heat pumps and solar thermal energy are most effective at cutting air pollutant emissions.
Less Reliance On Fossil Fuels
Because they were formed from the fossilised and buried remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago (hence the name), fossil fuels have a high carbon content and are therefore potentially harmful to the modern environment - arguably none moreso than coal which has many more harmful combustion products than others.
In addition to the dangerous properties of coal, we cannot continue burning oil and gas if we are to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, and renewable energy is the best alternative to this harmful energy source. Disturbing information also suggests that fossil fuel corporations have known about the scale of the climate threat for decades, yet they spent millions on campaigns to cover it up. Turning to sustainable sources could help to stamp out this misinformation for good.
Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gases are the gases in the planet’s atmosphere that produce the greenhouse effect, with most greenhouse gases either appearing naturally or produced by a man-made source. The reduction of greenhouse gases means working towards a reliance on low-carbon, renewable energy sources in practical ways, and achieving the goal of operating a zero-carbon electricity system.
Climate change influences not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather conditions worldwide and rising sea levels. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere which would otherwise escape into space, accelerating this prominent issue. When discussing climate change, utilising renewable energy is almost always mentioned as a change we can implement to stave off the worst effects of rising temperatures.
Potential Savings On Energy Bills
As of 2022, around 33 per cent of the energy used in the UK comes from green sources, and there's a prime opportunity to save money by joining in and going green. Solar energy is perhaps one of the best ways to save money and help the planet at the same time. Effectively an infinite source of renewable energy which can heat your home and generate electricity, it can be expensive to begin with, but you’re likely to save money long-term.
Hydroelectric power is another source of renewable energy, while geothermal energy contained in the earth can save electricity and is a great source of renewable energy. Although not available to everyone, Wind is also a renewable energy that we can make the most of if we live in an area that makes this possible through sustainable land usage. Individuals can invest in wind turbines of their own, or even opt in as a community group acting together. Sometimes it may even be possible to pay for these turbines as part of a larger commercial wind farm development, which reduces the burden of construction and planning costs.
Infinite Energy That Won’t ‘Run Out’
The fact that non-renewables are finite means that these energy sources will eventually run out, whereas renewable energy sources are limitless. Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will not be replenished in our lifetimes, coal, petroleum and natural gas being just several examples.
Hydropower constitutes power produced by moving water. This helps create electricity by turning turbines under the sea or by using water stored in a dam. Similarly wind energy is produced by wind turning turbines, creating electricity in the process. Solar panels collect energy from the sun, while geothermal energy is generated by volcanic activity, when steam can power generators and create electricity.
Are You Seeking Landscape Management or an Environmental Impact Survey? Lizard Landscape Design and Ecology can Help
Established in 2001 in Worthing, West Sussex, Lizard Landscape Design and Ecology is a chartered consultancy of landscape architects, landscape planners, ecological consultants and tree surveyors with a core focus on landscape management and ecological commissions for public sector education, property clients and development projects. Contact us to find out more about our services, which range from landscape design consultancy, to environmental impact surveys assessing land usage.
We offer specialist ecological services to complete your landscape development project and assist in determining the ecological impact a development could have on its environment. Our ecological consultants have decades of experience performing ecological surveys.