Renewables have the potential to significantly limit negative environmental impact if we implement them wisely (which, unfortunately, is not always the case today). Solar panels can be installed in and around existing architecture, such as rooftops and parking lots, preserving undeveloped land. We also have the opportunity to prioritize renewable energy projects that are combined with other existing forms of land use, such as livestock grazing, agriculture, or pollinator-friendly gardens.¹“Climate, Energy, and Economic Win-Wins in the Farm Bill,” EESI ≫; “Planting the Seeds for Solar: The Multiple Benefits of Pollinator-Friendly Vegetation in Solar Fields,” EESI ≫

And, because solar panels and wind turbines produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, nor do they require water for cooling like many traditional power plants, they can reduce the strain on both our water sources and the environment in general. However, in order to make sure this is the case, we need to make strategic decisions about where and how we implement solar farms in order to further minimize their environmental impact.

If renewable energy is a solution to help us achieve healthier ecosystems by reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuels from our energy systems, then we must not destroy ecosystems in the process of building the needed infrastructure.

Building new renewable energy power plants on lands already negatively impacted by fossil fuels is one way to prevent additional harm to critical ecosystems worldwide. By considering what kinds of facilities are located where, how they can be adapted to fit within a given habitat (such as solar energy plants in regions with a majority of sunny days every year), and in what ways they may affect the surrounding communities, we can limit the environmental impacts of the transition to renewables.

Because fossil fuel plants have had such an outsized impact on the communities in which they are located, primarily BIPOC and lower-income communities who were not given a choice in the construction or location of the plant, it’s very important that we’re considering how renewable energy plants may impact local communities and to engage them in the process. Only in doing so can we ensure our transition to a clean energy solution is actually fair and just.

Nuclear energy requires uranium, an ore that must be mined—a fossil-fuel intensive process that results in the depletion of natural uranium stocks—in order to function. By definition, it is not renewable. The decay of uranium over time also results in highly toxic waste that poses significant health and safety risks to both workers and nearby communities.

According to the Bureau of Land Management, at the end of Fiscal Year 2022:

“About 23 million Federal acres were under lease to oil and gas developers… [with] over 89,000 wells [located] on over 23,500 producing oil and gas leases.”²“About the BLM Oil and Gas Program,” U.S. Bureau of Land Management ≫

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) is changing the way states produce and consume energy throughout the American southeast. This is accomplished through policy and advocacy work as well as the development of critical resources, such as annual reports on the deployment of renewable energy, which are shared with utilities and decision-makers to show the true benefit of renewable energy over fossil fuel energy sources. SACE provides a leading and non-biased evaluation of how solar is (or is not) being deployed across the region (North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida).  

SACE also conducts public-facing programs, such as Electrify the South, which educates and empowers individuals, communities, municipalities, policymakers, and utilities to transition to clean, electric transportation throughout the Southeast. This program includes an Electric Transportation Toolkit as well as Electric Transportation Reports; resources for local governments to accelerate electrification and monitor progress. The Electric Black Futures and Carolina Careshare programs, also run and organized by SACE, empower Black communities to shape their electric mobility future and provide affordable housing residents access to EV car sharing and charging respectively.  

Discover how these programs are positively impacting communities across the Southeast >>>

RENEW Wisconsin has been accelerating the transition and equitable access to renewable energy in Wisconsin since 1991. Their work is accomplished through public outreach, education, community building, and policy advocacy. In 2022, RENEW Wisconsin, alongside three other energy-focused organizations, developed the Achieving 100% Clean Energy in Wisconsin Report. Since then, their work has been all about achieving this goal.  

RENEW’s communications team engages Wisconsin communities with campaigns that provide information on renewable energy, assistance programs, and current events in the industry to ensure everyone has access to the benefits of clean power. Meanwhile, their policy team amplifies the voice of all clean energy professionals and Wisconsinites by defending renewable energy policies at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the regulatory body for utilities, and providing community and industry members with policy updates.  

Through the MadiSUN and Solar for Good programs, RENEW has helped install more than 10 megawatts (MW) of solar for nonprofits, affordable housing developments, houses of worship, single-family homes, and Wisconsin businesses. These solar installations have spurred millions of dollars of investment in clean energy jobs and businesses in Wisconsin. 

To learn more about these programs, visit the RENEW Wisconsin website >>>

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a 40-year-old environmental policy organization focused on providing educational and data-driven resources to national policymakers and Congressional staff. EESI produces materials that are accessible to a general, non-expert audience on a wide variety of environmental topics, including renewable energy, to aid in informed policy development. From briefings on the latest clean energy tax incentives to sustainable energy factbooks and white papers on the clean energy job market, EESI covers a wide array of topics within the renewable energy sector, offering science-based policy solutions to critical issue areas.  

EESI also offers briefings and breakdowns of recently released reports, such as the Sustainable Energy in America 2025 Factbook, that are valuable for both legislators and the public to understand. These briefings highlight key takeaways and invite experts from the field to weigh in on the future of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the future needs of energy policy.   

In rural areas throughout America, EESI provides free technical assistance to utilities, helping to develop and implement financing and repayment processes as part of their Access Clean Energy Savings program. This program enables cost-effective energy upgrades to be made to homes which are then paid for monthly through an existing utility bill.  

Take a look at EESI’s library of renewable energy resources >>>

While the 30×30 target remains a crucial global initiative, significant recent changes in U.S. federal policy have created new challenges for its implementation in the United States and abroad.

Now, more than ever, we need to come together and speak up in support of the natural resources we all love and depend on. Stay connected with the 30×30 Project and check out the Get Involved section on each Solution page for more ways to support 30×30 in your community!

The general public has an immense amount of potential to instigate clean energy change—though, perhaps, not in the way you might be thinking.

Right now, for many people, options for energy are limited to the utilities available where you live and what you can afford. Often, this means having less choice to incorporate clean or renewably sourced energy into your daily energy usage. However, user choice means a great deal, and the more people learn about their energy options, the more they can advocate for them.

When we shift user demand, we can shift what’s offered to us in the first place. This applies at all levels of government along with utilities and corporate providers. Demanding change through letters, protests, speaking at council and board meetings, and/or putting your money where your priorities are can lead to powerful change.

And while, sure, installing solar panels on one home isn’t going to make a world of a difference, installing solar panels on an entire neighborhood absolutely can. This in turn leads to more equitable outcomes for communities; particularly those who have been disproportionately suffering the harmful health and environmental impacts of fossil fuel energy production. 

It’s estimated that the shift to renewable energy will create more than 11 million jobs by 2050—that’s in addition to the number of energy jobs today, which currently sits at around 67 million globally. This rapid growth in the energy job market would, of course, require workers to have the needed skill sets and resources.³“Global Energy Transformation: A Roadmap to 2050 (2018 edition),” IRENA ≫; “Fact Sheet | Climate Jobs (2024),” EESI ≫

According to the 2024 U.S. Energy & Employment Jobs Report, we are seeing “…a manufacturing boom, especially in the clean energy sector with over 800 facilities announced since 2021… Construction employment in energy grew 4.5%, almost double the economy-wide [average]…” In fact, clean energy jobs increased in every U.S. state.⁴“TKTK,” TKTK ≫

The problem? Today’s energy workers, trained and employed during the height of fossil fuels, don’t always have the precise skill set needed to build and maintain renewable energy sources. And, unfortunately, not enough people are joining the energy workforce to begin with.

Workers need incentives to join the energy workforce. This means workers (particularly young people entering the workforce as well as those seeking a career change) need to know what jobs exist and the skills they require. Training for these skills should be easily accessible, whether it’s from universities, trade schools, or government programs. More importantly, training needs to be available for current fossil fuel industry workers. Rather than leave these people behind, making the training widely available and incentivizing workers to opt-in will signal that change is here, it’s necessary, and it’s not happening without them.

Geothermal energy is one area in which oil and gas workers are able to much more easily transition into these new roles as it doesn’t require much retraining. This makes for a great place to start!⁵“Funding the Future: The Impact of Federal Clean Energy Investments,” EESI ≫

Nonprofit organizations have long been leaders in community education and wellness and, as a result, can be highly influential in rallying support for renewable energy at municipal, state, regional, and federal levels. With a direct connection to the communities where they work, these organizations can most accurately address the pressing energy needs in their area.

By sharing accurate, science-based information about our energy systems to community members, leaders, and decision-makers at all levels, NGOs can shape public opinion and policy. Many NGOs are also critical in the strategy development process, working side by side with many of the previously mentioned audiences (the government, utility companies, corporations, etc.) to create effective next steps toward net zero goals.

The transition to renewable energy must continue to be amplified with a united focus of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050 in order to make this goal a real possibility.

Luckily, nonprofits now have an opportunity to be an active part of this transition through Direct Pay. The Inflation Reduction Act included provisions for “elective pay” (a.k.a. “direct pay”), which enables tax-exempt entities (nonprofits, public utilities, Tribal governments, etc.) to “receive a cash payment from the IRS for eligible clean energy investments.” For the first time, nonprofits and other tax-exempt groups can take advantage of clean energy tax credits that have largely been inaccessible.⁶“Getting Cashback for Clean Energyt,” U.S. Dept. of Energy ≫

Real estate development is expected to increase by nearly 4% before the end of the decade. Cities and urban areas are building up across the country with nearly 1.5 million new homes being constructed every year; a number that’s been consistently rising for the past decade.⁷“How many houses are built each year in the U.S.? 2025,” Consumer Affairs ≫ While efficiencies to the home building process, materials used, and home layouts all contribute to reducing waste and using resources more efficiently, what about renewable energy? How residential and commercial sites are being planned and constructed needs to be part of the energy solution.

The Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home Program is one example of a step forward. Incentives provided by the U.S. government encourage real estate developers to make “Zero Energy Homes” their standard build. This means homes that are highly efficient with energy needs offset by a renewable system. We also update and prioritize natoinal building and energy codes, with largely occurs at the city level.⁸“Zero Energy Ready Homes Are Coming to a Neighborhood Near You,” U.S. Dept. of Energy (accessed Jan. 22, 2025) ≫

We’ve talked about governments and of energy consumers, but what about utility providers themselves? Investor-owned energy providers sell power to 110 million people every year, while public utilities and cooperatives provide for about 20 million people. That’s a lot of people and a lot of power (figuratively and literally!)

Public utilities are run by a municipality, state, or the federal government, meaning they must closely follow the goals and regulations outlined in the law—including where energy is procured from. Cooperatives, located in primarily rural areas, are member-owned not-for-profit organizations, so community demand for renewable energy sources can be highly influential.¹⁰“EESI-Supported OBF Programs,” EESI ≫

However, investor-owned energy providers are where the most impact can be had (and where the greatest challenge lies). These for-profit giants are primarily concerned with their bottom line and much less so about the health and wellbeing of their customers. So, what do we do about it? How do we demand change across the board?

Corporations are some of the world’s biggest polluters and a significant portion of this is due to energy usage. Where is energy being sourced from? Currently, 60% of all energy usage in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels. This is a big change from 20 years ago when this number was 85%, but we’re still a long way off from zero. In 2023, the commercial sector accounted for just over 17% of all U.S. energy consumption. That’s a sizable chunk!¹⁴“What is U.S. electricity generation by energy source?” EIA ≫; “Annual Energy Report 2011,” EIA ≫;”How much energy is consumed in U.S. buildings?,” EIA ≫

Thirteen states currently offer consumer choice for electricity providers, meaning users can choose to buy energy from a renewable, green supplier. For corporations with locations in these states, making the choice to transition to renewable-sourced energy not only makes a positive environmental difference, but is a great selling point for consumers.¹⁵“Energy by State,” Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA) ≫

However, it is also clear that both residential and commercial sectors must have the choice of where they’re purchasing energy. In regions where choice is currently not possible, corporate influence and pressure on utility companies can go a long way toward the transition to renewable energy. Targets for the procurement of renewable energy must be included in corporate transition plans to a net zero future. More importantly, corporations must follow through on these plans and be held accountable by both consumers and the government.¹⁶“Integrity Matters,” United Nations Climate Action ≫

Legislation and funding are the two most critical components of change when it comes to making rapid progress in the renewable energy sector. Governments have the responsibility to set goals and pass legislation in support of a healthier future for citizens. Examples of how this is being done include:   

When discussing the creation and implementation of new renewable energy projects—especially at utility-scale—we need to make sure we’re reducing environmental impact and improving public health at all stages of development. Here are a few examples of possible solutions:

• Project siting. Offshore wind farms need to be strategically located to limit possible impact or harm on ocean life. Continental wind and solar farms can be built on already disturbed or low-quality/degraded lands (such as landfills or abandoned mines), preserving habitats and untouched, biodiverse lands.²¹“Spurring Clean Energy Development on Reclaimed Mine Lands,” EESI ≫

• Agrivoltaics. Designing solar panel installations to allow for multiple land uses below, beside, and/or between solar arrays, including pollinator gardens and livestock grazing. Also called “co-location.” 

• Aquavoltaics. Placing solar installations above agricultural waterways, such as reservoirs or irrigation streams.

• Compact land usage. Creating concentrated geothermal plants that have a small surface footprint compared to their energy output.
• Run-of-River projects. Small-scale “run-of-river” hydropower uses a river’s natural flow power and can be combined with watershed protection.²²“Innovations in River Renewable Energy Power Remote Alaskan Communities,” EESI ≫

It’s believed that roughly 14% of all households on Native American reservations (13,000 families in the Navajo Nation alone) do not have access to reliable electricity. Unfortunately, to give you this information we had to rely on data from a report published in 2000 by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). A different report on the topic of electricity access was published by the World Bank in 2020, but it did not include Native American reservation statistics. No other updated reports of the like exist.²³“As it gets hotter, 13,000 families in this pocket of America live without electricity,” CNN ≫; “Tribal Electricity Access and Reliability,” U.S. Dept. of Energy ≫

In terms of area, the United States is a big place. This is one of the biggest obstacles facing our existing electrical grid and is one of the key reasons why a large portion of electricity in America is provided by local public power utility companies. Two thousand communities across the country rely on local utilities for their electricity. Other examples of utility companies (companies that provide critical services to homes and businesses) are sewage, water, and natural gas.

According to the Office of State and Community Energy Programs, “Utility-scale renewable energy projects are typically defined as those 10 megawatts or larger.” To give you some perspective, this is enough energy to power nearly 2,000 homes every day.²⁴“Renewable Energy: Utility-Scale Policies and Programs,” U.S. Dept. of Energy ≫; “What Is a Megawatt? Megawatt-Hours & Conversions Explained,” EcoWatch ≫

When we discuss energy sovereignty, particularly in the context of tribal energy sovereignty, we’re talking about giving communities choice about where their power comes from, what energy projects can take place on their lands, and how to mitigate environmental harms and other conflicts based on their unique needs and expertise.

The best people to ask about a community’s challenges and their possible solutions? The locals. These are the people with the expertise to know what actions will be most effective. It’s time to trust them.

If renewable energy is a solution to help us achieve healthier ecosystems by reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuels from our energy systems, then we must not destroy ecosystems in the process of building the needed infrastructure.

Building new renewable energy power plants on lands already negatively impacted by fossil fuels is one way to prevent additional harm to critical ecosystems worldwide. By considering what kinds of facilities are located where, how they can be adapted to fit within a given habitat (such as solar energy plants in regions with a majority of sunny days every year), and in what ways they may affect the surrounding communities, we can limit the environmental impacts of the transition to renewables.

Because fossil fuel plants have had such an outsized impact on the communities in which they are located, primarily BIPOC and lower-income communities who were not given a choice in the construction or location of the plant, it’s very important that we’re considering how renewable energy plants may impact local communities and to engage them in the process. Only in doing so can we ensure our transition to a clean energy solution is actually fair and just.

The energy sector employs 67 million people globally. Since 2022, the majority of energy employment growth has occurred in five key areas: wind, solar, electric vehicles and energy storage (batteries), heat pumps (alternatives to furnaces and a/c), and mineral mining. But as the availability of jobs in the clean energy workforce has boomed (seeing a 3.9% growth rate in 2022), companies are reportedly struggling to fill these positions with skilled labor.²⁶“Clean technologies are driving job growth in the energy sector, but skills shortages are an increasing concern,” International Energy Agency ≫; “Fact Sheet | Climate Jobs (2024),” EESI ≫

To meet the demand for skilled workers, governments and corporations must also offer new training opportunities to transition current fossil fuel workers to the renewable energy sector; especially as many of these fossil fuel workers have skills that are directly transferable.²⁷“Exploring the Policy Landscape of Carbon Dioxide Removal,” EESI ≫

A suite of policy levers already exist to achieve a rapid transition to clean energy. Bottom line: We need to pass policies that prioritize renewable energy. 

In 2022, fossil fuel subsidies amounted to $757 billion–subsidies that could instead support renewable energy.²⁹“Fact Sheet | Proposals to Reduce Fossil Fuel Subsidies,” EESI ≫

A group of environmental organizations, including Stamp Out Poverty, ActionAid, Greenpeace, and the Climate Action Network, proposed a Climate Damages Tax to force the fossil fuel industry to pay (quite literally) for the climate-induced damages wrought by fossil fuel production and emissions. This money would be used to support countries and communities across  the Global South who have been historically and disproportionately impacted by climate change as a direct result of actions like resource extraction and greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental and humanitarian organizations have called for a number of policy reforms like those mentioned here, and Congressional action has become critical.³⁰“The Climate Damages Tax,” Stamp Out Poverty ≫

The authority of subject-matter experts within federal agencies to pass critical regulations to carry out equally critical environmental legislation was hindered by the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Chevron Doctrine (also known as the Chevron Deference). Returning decision-making powers to federal agencies will also be key in ensuring that the U.S. can act upon our goals for a clean-energy future.³¹“The Supreme Court Ends Chevron Deference—What Now?,” NRDC ≫

The U.S. power grid is aging, in disrepair, and in desperate need of a major overhaul. This has become especially apparent with the increased frequency of climate-induced extreme weather events, which have caused grid failures in places like Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. The U.S. electrical grid, originally developed in 1882, was not built with climate change in mind.

An aging electrical grid also spells trouble for renewable energy. As electricity generation from sources like wind and solar ramp up, the existing grid infrastructure lacks the capacity to bring them online.  To better accommodate renewable energy on the grid, we need to expand both its capacity and flexibility (its ability to move energy around to different regions in order to meet changing needs).³²“How to Build a Clean Energy Grid,” Americans for a Clean Energy Grid ≫; “TKTK,” U.S. Dept. of Energy (accessed Nov. 25, 2024) ≫

Solar power is now the cheapest form of energy on Earth, costing roughly half that of the cheapest form of fossil fuels.³⁴“Renewables Competitiveness Accelerates, Despite Cost Inflation,” IRENA ≫ Despite having a reputation for being “too costly to be realistic”—a common claim made by the fossil fuel industry—solar and wind power have dropped drastically in cost over the past decade. While some forms of renewable energy, such as hydropower and geothermal power, have a steep upfront cost associated with their development (despite having a cheaper lifetime cost when compared with fossil fuels),³⁵“Unpacking the true cost of fossil fuels,” Arcadia ≫ others like solar and wind have become much cheaper in recent years. As a result, they are competitive with fossil fuel-based energy sources, even without subsidies.

Decreasing renewable energy costs have contributed to the surge in their implementation both domestically and abroad—with renewables making up the vast majority of new energy projects. National and local governments can build on this momentum to accelerate renewable energy deployment and prevent global temperature increases from surpassing 2°C, the threshold at which the impacts of climate change are unavoidable.

One of the critical components of connecting renewable energy to our current electrical is grid energy storage. In other words, the ability to store generated energy for future use. What these storage systems look like can vary pretty dramatically. From small batteries that can be stored in homes to sand-filled silos at industrial scale, scientists and engineers around the world have been advancing energy storage as we know it.³⁶“The New Iron Age: The Potential of Affordable, Safe, and Clean Energy Storage,” EESI ≫; “New Battery Technology Could Boost Renewable Energy Storage,” Columbia Engineering ≫; “Giant ‘sand battery’ holds a week’s heat for a whole town,” New Atlas ≫

Right now, the energy storage systems we would need to connect energy grids across the nation do not currently exist. This is primarily because fossil fuel-based power plants adjust their outputs to meet fluctuating public demand. The more energy demanded, the more fossil fuels burned.

When it comes to renewables, we can’t exactly turn the sun off mid-day or stop the wind from blowing. This also means that when energy demand decreases, any excess electricity generated goes to waste—that is, unless we can send it to other energy grids where demand is still high or store it for later.  

In recent years, energy storage solutions have advanced dramatically, but there’s still room for growth. Storage systems are now being implemented alongside solar systems, enabling homeowners to save excess electricity for later. But the technology is not yet scalable. The U.S. government must further invest in energy storage to bring these solutions to scale and accelerate the clean energy transition.

Of the different types of renewable energy sources, solar and wind are often the most affordable, but they’re also the most finicky when it comes to weather. If the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing, energy production will go down. And that’s a problem.

It’s incredibly important we develop these renewable energy sources alongside infrastructure improvements for our electrical grid, energy storage capabilities, and grid connections across the country; this is how we’ll be able to make the most of renewable resources where they naturally exist. For example, placing solar panels in Southwestern states with the most days of sunshine per year and wind turbines throughout the windiest regions of the U.S. (primarily, the Midwest) can mitigate weather-based disruptions.

That said, when making siting decisions about renewable energy infrastructure, we should pay attention to predicted changes in weather and temperature—both natural and climate-induced—that could influence the overall stability and reliability of our power generation.

Two degrees. It’s a pretty important number when it comes to our planet. Two degrees is how much the average global temperature can increase (in Celsius) from pre-industrial averages before human and environmental processes are significantly affected.³⁷“A Degree of Concern: Why Global Temperatures Matter,” NASA ≫

Okay, but what does that look like in practice? The truth is, at nearly 1.5°C of warming, we’re already seeing the beginning stages. Severe heat waves, changes in precipitation, increased severe weather and natural disasters (flooding and raging wildfires just to name a couple)—the list goes on.³⁸“Briefing Series: Living with Climate Change,” EESI ≫

Scientists estimate that when we reach 2°C of warming, hundreds of millions of people will be displaced around the world as their regions become unlivable. In 2022, more than 32 million climate refugees had to leave their homes. Of these incidents, 98% were due to weather-related natural disasters and only 2% due to geophysical conditions (e.g., earthquakes). And these numbers are only expected to rise.³⁹“Escaping Extremes Climate Changes Role in Displacement and Migration,” Human Rights First ≫

But how does the goal of staying under 2°C of warming relate to 30×30? It’s important to remember that for plants, trees, soil, and water to absorb their maximum capacity of carbon dioxide, they must be part of a healthy ecosystem. In this way, the priorities of 30×30 and the 2-degree rule go hand-in-hand. The goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030 is specifically to protect critical terrestrial, freshwater, and marine water ecosystems—all of which contribute to CO₂ absorption and environmental efficiency.

You’ve likely heard the terms “carbon neutral” and “net zero” being tossed around in conversations about our environment, but what do they really mean? And what kind of impact can they have?  

To be carbon neutral on a global scale, we must have net zero emissions. This means that the carbon dioxide produced by any single activity is counterbalanced by another activity removing that carbon from the atmosphere (photosynthesis by plants, for example). When the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere is the same as the amount of carbon absorbed from the atmosphere, net zero has been achieved.

From the government perspective, “‘net zero’ refers to the goal of cutting emissions to the point where any greenhouse gases still produced by human activities can be removed using technology.”⁴⁰“Environmental Impacts of Clean Energy,” U.S. Dept. of Energy (accessed Oct. 2024) ≫

The health repercussions of fossil fuel-derived energy are no secret.⁴¹“Public Health,” EESI ≫ From cancer-causing emissions to increased levels of asthma and heart disease among others, there is a well-known connection between the burning of these materials and the worsening health of human beings around the world. In fact, fossil fuels were linked to more than 350,000 premature deaths in 2018 alone.⁴²“Fossil fuel air pollution responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide,” Harvard T.C. Chan School of Public Health ≫ The annual health costs of these impacts? More than $886 billion and counting.⁴³“Economic value of U.S. fossil fuel electricity health impacts,” National Library of Medicine ≫ Environmental injustice plays a significant role here as well.

Converting to renewable energy solutions still has environmental justice considerations associated with it. For example, minerals need to be mined in order to build solar panels. We need to consider where this mining takes place and where the completed renewables are located so that these do not negatively impact critical environments, undeveloped land, or encroach on communities that are already experiencing outsized impacts from fossil fuels and climate change.

You’ve likely heard the term many times before, but what exactly are greenhouse gases? Simply put, they’re gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, including:⁴⁵“Overview of Greenhouse Gases,” EPA ≫

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Methane (CH4)
• Nitrous oxide (N2O)
• Fluorinated gases

Fluorinated gases include hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride—all of which are human-made (synthetic) gases that trap a significant amount of heat.

The most commonly occurring greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, making up a whopping 79% of all greenhouse gas emissions, largely from the burning of fossil fuels. While each of these gases may enter our atmosphere in slightly different ways, all greenhouse gases have the same core source in common: human activity. The abundance of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and the global warming occurring as a result have been long studied and confirmed as a direct result of human action. In order to prevent our climate from warming to a degree that would be detrimental to all life on earth (arguably, we are seeing the beginning stages of this now), we must put a stop to greenhouse gas emissions immediately.⁴⁶“Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis,” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ≫

The silver lining? It’s well within our power to do so. Greenhouse gases are primarily released through human activity, so addressing and modifying these activities to reduce emissions can and will have a major impact. Renewable energy, sustainable farming and agriculture, and clean transportation options already exist—it’s time to prioritize them.

Biomass energy is pretty simple: take some kind of naturally occurring organic matter (like human waste, for example) and convert it into energy. How this is done is where things get more complicated. Biomass energy is created via a multitude of processes, including (but not limited to) burning, anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and chemical conversion.

Burning is the most common practice today and functions similarly to standard fossil fuels. A form of biomass is burned to create heat, which produces steam, which turns a set of turbines, which powers a generator, which creates electricity. (It’s ye ‘ole energy song and dance!) The burned substance can be something nonrenewable, like human and animal waste (there is only so much that exists), or more renewable like algae-based biofuel that’s grown or naturally harvested. 

Anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and chemical conversion work similarly, producing heat, gas, and/or liquid fuel through processes that generate electricity.⁴⁷“Biopower Basics,” U.S. Dept. of Energy ≫ 

It’s important to note that burning, which is required for many forms of biomass energy, produces pollutants and greenhouse gases. As with fossil fuels, the resulting air pollution and harmful particulate matter pose risks to communities. While biomass energy is often labelled “carbon neutral”—because the carbon dioxide it creates is mitigated by the amount of carbon dioxide soil and plants can naturally hold—it does not account for the forest degradation and agricultural land loss happening on a daily basis. Therefore, it’s difficult to estimate how much pollution is an ‘okay’ amount to produce.

At the end of the day, while biomass energy is certainly better than fossil fuels, it’s not a clear-cut renewable resource and comes with greenhouse gas and particulate output that’s ultimately not good for our communities. That’s why it should only be considered an intermediary solution—one that helps us reach a future with 100% renewable energy. 

Nuclear energy is another method of capturing thermal (heat) energy; this time through a process called fission. Nuclear fission occurs when an atom’s nucleus is split into two or more parts; a process which generates heat and energy. This process is housed in enclosed reactors within a nuclear power plant, which capture the heat to create steam. This steam is then used to spin turbines which produce electricity. And voila, nuclear energy!

While, to date, it has often been seen as one of the most powerful sources of low-carbon energy, it is most definitely not without its costs—and the environmental harms can be steep.

All nuclear energy produces radioactive waste, and this byproduct can be dangerous to environmental and human health for thousands of years. The storage and disposal of this waste is highly monitored, but the truth is that the waste doesn’t naturally go away, it just gets buried. Literally.⁴⁸“Nuclear explained,” EIA ≫ High-level (highly dangerous) radioactive waste is stored in designated pools of water.

Water plays a large role in the nuclear energy cycle. A single reactor needs billions of gallons of water a year to properly function—and this water requires filtering to treat radiation. While much of this water is kept and circulated within the plant’s system to continuously re-cool the reactors, the environmental demand is still high.

Safety is another concern as climate change rapidly increases threats of weather and temperature-related disasters. This, in addition to aging nuclear reactors across the U.S. (some as old as 60 years), increases the threat to human and environmental health and safety. Nuclear power plants rely on a very stable environment and a consistent source of water, both of which are becoming less reliable as our climate warms. Waste leaks and hazardous spillage of radioactive materials—or, far worse, a nuclear reactor meltdown due to insufficient resources—are detrimental to the health and wellness of local communities and the environments they’re in.⁴⁹“Nuclear Power 101,” NRDC ≫

Marine energy, also known as ocean energy, is a developing technology that captures the hydrokinetic (water + motion) energy of waves and tides to generate electricity. Ocean energy is generated through buoys and turbines at different ocean depths capturing the vertical and horizontal movement of ocean water. Large cables then transfer this electricity to facilities onshore.

Given that 50% of the U.S. population lives on or near the coasts, marine energy technology holds a lot of potential as a critical renewable energy source, though this form of energy is not yet available for commercial use.

Other forms of marine energy being explored include salinity grade energy (energy derived from changes in salt levels), and ocean thermal energy (energy derived from the temperature differences between deep sea water and surface water.)⁵⁰“Ocean energy,” IRENA ≫ The greatest barrier to commercial development of marine energy is the high cost of the equipment necessary to get started—a truth that is universal for many renewable energy systems.

Environmentally, the biggest concern is how these structures and facilities will impact marine habitats. Flora and fauna displacement, underwater noise, and changes in oceanographic processes are just a few of the concerns that have been raised about these projects, though authors of the 2020 State of the Science Report by Ocean Energy Systems claimed that, to date, these potential threats have not been observed in practice.⁵¹“Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy: the 2020 State of the Science Report,” TETHYS ≫

Hydropower is perhaps one of the better-known forms of renewable energy.⁵²“Hydropower and Other Water Energy Technologies,” EESI ≫ After all, water has been a source of power for humans for millennia. The Greeks used a water wheel to grind wheat into flour, followed by the Han Dynasty of China who used a similar method to hammer grain, make paper, and break apart ore. Throughout history, humans have frequently relied on the force and power of water for irrigation and agricultural purposes. It wasn’t until the mid-19th century, however, that the first modern water turbine (for energy generation) was created. The first U.S. hydroelectric plant opened less than 30 years later in 1882.

Hydroelectric energy, electricity produced through hydropower, relies on the movement of water to spin blades in a turbine which then activates a generator and produces electricity. Most commonly, this is achieved by flowing water from a source (often a river) downward toward the turbines. Both the amount (volume) of water and the level of elevation change (downward flow) influence how much electricity can be produced by a hydropower plant.

Today, hydropower dams are not uncommon and account for more than 6% of all U.S. energy production. But they’re not without their environmental consequences. Dams can have a severe impact on a landscape and the natural habitats that exist there. Entire green spaces have been eaten up by reservoirs created by dams, and damming a river can have an impact on water temperature, water chemistry, river flow, and even water quality and cleanliness.⁵³“Hydropower explained,” U.S. Energy Information Administration ≫ These factors absolutely must be considered when determining the whole environmental impact of a hydroelectric facility and how this weighs against its benefits.

Geothermal energy is all about capturing and converting the energy of trapped underground heat (a.k.a. thermal energy).⁵⁴“Geothermal,” EESI ≫ Fractures in the Earth’s crust create pathways where fluid (water) can permeate rock deep beneath the Earth’s surface.

Geothermal energy is created when this hot water is drawn up to the Earth’s surface through human-made wells, driving turbines which produce electricity. In areas of the Earth’s crust where water does not naturally exist, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) can be used to inject water from human-made wells into the hot rock, creating new fractures and then pulling the hot liquid back up to the surface. 

In some regions of the planet, geothermal energy power plants are driven by steam alone, though this is relatively rare. In this case, steam produced at the Earth’s surface (rather than hot water being drawn up) moves turbines to produce energy. Once the steam cools and returns to a liquid state, it is then reinjected back into the rock. Geothermal power plants, dry steam power plants, flash steam power plants, and binary-cycle geothermal power plants are all different variations of this same concept.⁵⁵“Electricity Generation,” U.S. Dept. of Energy ≫

Wind turbines are electrified windmills where blades on a turbine, spun by the wind, power a generator and produce electricity. While renewable energy is often thought of as a modern invention, this is actually based on old technology we’ve had for over a century. The first windmill used for electricity was built in Scotland in 1887, though humans have been harnessing the power of the wind for thousands of years.⁵⁶“Wind Energy,” IRENA ≫

There are two different types of basic wind turbine: horizontal and vertical. The key difference between the two is the direction in which the turbine must face. Horizontal-axis turbines should be placed with their blades facing into the wind and, thus, may require adjustment depending on which direction the wind is blowing. Vertical-axis turbines are omnidirectional, meaning they don’t require being pointed in the direction the wind is blowing and do not require adjustment. However, due to the increased drag produced when their blades spin, they are less efficient than traditional horizontal-axis turbines.⁵⁷“A review on small scale wind turbines,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews ≫

Turbines can be installed both on land and offshore, with offshore turbines being significantly larger in size and, on average, generating significantly more energy.⁵⁸“Offshore Wind Energy,” EESI ≫

In the past, wind turbines have been heavily criticized due to the harm they pose to birds and other wildlife, and while they have been noted to cause some harm to these populations (up to 679,000 bird deaths per year), this number is significantly lower than other causes of bird death—such as house cats (causing an estimated 4 billion deaths every year). That said, there are things that can be done, such as zoning considerations, that help reduce the environmental impact of these structures.⁵⁹“Do wind turbines kill birds?” MIT Climate Portal ≫

Another name for sunlight? Solar radiation. We can capture this radiation via photovoltaic (PV) panels or mirrors that concentrate this radiation (a.k.a. concentrated solar-thermal power or CSP), converting it to energy! PV systems convert sunlight to energy through cells in the solar panels themselves. CSP systems then convert the energy to heat which is used to produce electricity. From there, energy can be passed on to the electric grid or stored in batteries.

Solar panels can be mounted on rooftops (with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees), on the ground, or even be built into the design of a structure. It is recommended to place solar panels in a south-facing direction, as this will capture the most sunlight throughout the day.

Solar power is an ideal solution for climates that experience consistent sunlight year-round and on buildings with an unobstructed view of the sun, meaning there are no trees or other buildings casting shadow where the panels are located. For specific areas or regions where direct sunlight is less frequent, solar panels that harness indirect light can be used.

To combat land-use concerns and ensure that undeveloped land remains undeveloped, solar panels can be paired with existing infrastructure. For example, solar panels have been successfully integrated with agricultural lands and waters (e.g., located over irrigation canals) in a way that benefits the land, farmers, and energy production.⁶⁰“The Promise and Potential of Solar Canals,” EESI ≫ Other factors that can influence the efficiency or cost of solar panels include material makeup (monocrystalline vs. polycrystalline), land demands, installation, and permitting.⁶¹“How Does Solar Work?” U.S. Dept. of Energy ≫

Dear Congressperson [NAME], 

As a citizen of [YOUR STATE] and one of your constituents, I urge you to support the passing of [BILL NUMBER & NAME].

Fossil fuels are killing our planet. Decades of peer reviewed science and today’s climate events that we’re witnessing with our own eyes are proof of this. The transition to renewable energy needs to happen faster if we’re going to avoid the worst outcomes of climate change.

The United States has set a goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. So far, we’ve only reached 8.8%, and 2035 is only ten years away.

The transition to renewable energy is widely supported by Americans (67% according to the Pew Research Center), and this includes [YOUR STATE] citizens!

I strongly support this piece of legislation that prioritizes the health and sustainability of our energy, our communities, and our planet. I ask that you do the same and use your influence to advance this bill to a vote in the [HOUSE / SENATE].

Please let me know what action you intend to take on this bill. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]  

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a constituent of [CONGRESSPERSON’S NAME]. I am calling in support of [BILL NUMBER & NAME] and would like to leave a comment.

Legislative Staff Person will offer to transfer you to an answering machine or take down your message. Use the following to leave your message:  

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I live in [YOUR CITY, STATE]. I am calling in support of [BILL NUMBER & NAME] and to communicate the importance of renewable energy and a diversion from fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels are killing our planet. Decades of peer reviewed science and today’s climate events that we’re witnessing with our own eyes are proof of this. The transition to renewable energy needs to happen faster if we’re going to avoid the worst outcomes of climate change.

The United States has set a goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. So far, we’ve only reached 8.8%, and 2035 is only ten years away.

The transition to renewable energy is widely supported by Americans (67% according to the Pew Research Center), and this includes [YOUR STATE] citizens!

As my representative in the [HOUSE / SENATE], I hope I can count on you to support [BILL NUMBER] and the development and prioritization of sustainable, renewable energy sources. It’s essential if we want a healthy future for the next generation of Americans.

Legislative Staff Person will ask if you want a response. You can politely decline, or say:

Yes. Please have a response sent to my email at [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] or by phone at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. Thank you for your assistance. Goodbye.  

The 30×30 (pronounced “thirty by thirty”) target is a goal set by the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in 2022 to protect 30% of ecologically representative terrestrial lands and 30% of ecologically representative waters, both marine (sea) and fresh, by 2030 to preserve global biodiversity.