Few
Americans realize that even today much of our electricity comes from dirty, heavily
polluting, coal-fired power plants. In fact, fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and natural gas --
account for over 85% of fuel use in the United States. These power plants spew hundreds of
millions of tons of global warming pollution into our atmosphere each year. They also
contribute to numerous other pollution problems, including acid rain and smog. World-wide,
fossil fuel power plants produce about 60% of all greenhouse gas emissions. While
producing electricity, these plants function as global warming machines, steadily altering
the climate of our planet.
There are viable alternatives to fossil fuel. Clean,
renewable energy from the sun and wind offer non-polluting, economical, and durable
alternatives for generating electricity. We can also reduce pollution by using electricity
more efficiently. If we are protect our children and grandchildren from a dangerous change
in the Earth’s climate, we must make the switch to cleaner, renewable forms of
energy, and use electricity more wisely.
Few
Americans realize that even today much of our electricity comes from dirty, heavily
polluting, coal-fired power plants. In fact, fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and natural gas --
account for over 85% of fuel use in the United States. These power plants spew hundreds of
millions of tons of global warming pollution into our atmosphere each year. They also
contribute to numerous other pollution problems, including acid rain and smog. World-wide,
fossil fuel power plants produce about 60% of all greenhouse gas emissions. While
producing electricity, these plants function as global warming machines, steadily altering
the climate of our planet.
There are viable alternatives to fossil fuel. Clean,
renewable energy from the sun and wind offer non-polluting, economical, and durable
alternatives for generating electricity. We can also reduce pollution by using electricity
more efficiently. If we are protect our children and grandchildren from a dangerous change
in the Earth’s climate, we must make the switch to cleaner, renewable forms of
energy, and use electricity more wisely.