Importance of renewable energy

Conventional sources of energy use fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. These sources are a source of greenhouse gases. Since climate change is now considered by some to be the biggest threat to human existence, it’s never been more important to examine alternative sources of energy.

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Challenges of using fossil fuels

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They’re not renewable

There’s a limited amount of petroleum, coal, and natural gas that can be extracted from the Earth. The more energy we use, the faster they’ll be gone. In contrast, energy from renewable sources is just that – renewable!

These energy sources can either be more easily replenished (in the case of water) or will never run out (in the case of wind and solar).

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They’re damaging to extract

Mining and drilling for fossil fuels are extremely harmful to the environment and humans.

From water pollution, erosion, and habitat loss to chemical spills and air pollution, acquiring these energy sources can be destructive.

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They’re harmful to use

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming.

If the Earth’s average temperature rises by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, we risk experiencing more extreme weather, loss of biodiversity, food scarcity, and sea level rise.

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Biomass energy

Turning trash into energy? There are incredible ways to generate electricity from our waste products. We can use byproducts from forests, yards, and farms or even trash that would normally sit in a landfill.

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Electric vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a great alternative to polluting gasoline and diesel-based vehicles. Learn more about this evolving technology and how Clark County is using it to lessen our impact.

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Hydroelectric power

Water is everywhere in Clark County. That’s why nearly half of our energy comes from clean, renewable hydroelectricity. Learn how we’re using the power of water to keep the lights on in our homes and businesses.

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Solar power

The sun is extraordinarily powerful and using its energy is a great way to incorporate green energy into our power grid. Learn why solar energy is a viable option even here in the cloudy Pacific Northwest!

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Wind power

Wind is all around us! We use giant wind turbines to harness the power of the wind and convert it to clean, limitless, domestic energy.

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