Benefits of Renewable Energy Use - Union of Concerned Scientists
Jul 14, 2008 · Using more renewable energy can lower the prices of and demand for natural gas and coal by increasing competition and diversifying our energy supplies. And an increased reliance on renewable energy can help protect consumers when fossil fuel prices spike. Explainer. Renewables face major obstacles.
Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies
Jul 14, 2008 · The environmental impacts associated with solar power can include land use and habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing, though the types of impacts vary greatly depending on the scale of the system and the technology used—photovoltaic (PV) solar cells or concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP). Explainer.
Car Emissions & Global Warming - Union of Concerned Scientists
Jul 18, 2014 · Our personal vehicles are a major cause of global warming. Collectively, cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. About five pounds comes from the extraction, production, and delivery of the fuel, while the great bulk of heat-trapping emissions—more than 19 pounds per ...
How Does the Sun Affect Our Climate? - Union of Concerned …
Jul 16, 2009 · Scientists have considered the sun-climate hypothesis to explain Earth’s rapid warming. The evidence collected show that the sun noticeably affects our climate over millions of years, but it is not the cause of recent warming. The rate at which energy from the Sun reaches the top of Earth’s atmosphere is called “total solar irradiance ...
Are Humans the Major Cause of Global Warming? | Union of …
Jul 14, 2009 · The scientific consensus. Within the scientific community, there is essentially no disagreement on the causes of climate change. Multiple studies have shown that at least 97 percent of scientists agree that global warming is happening and that human activity is the primary cause. Major scientific assessments also agree.
Vehicles, Air Pollution & Human Health - Union of Concerned …
Jul 18, 2014 · The health risks of air pollution are extremely serious. Poor air quality increases respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis, heightens the risk of life-threatening conditions like cancer, and burdens our health care system with substantial medical costs. Particulate matter is singlehandedly responsible for up to 30,000 premature deaths ...
The Ozone Hole and Global Warming - Union of Concerned …
Jul 16, 2008 · The term ‘ozone hole’ refers to the depletion of the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) over Earth's polar regions. People, plants, and animals living under the ozone hole are harmed by the solar radiation now reaching the Earth's surface—where it causes health problems, from eye damage to skin cancer.
What Are Electric Cars? | Union of Concerned Scientists
Feb 25, 2015 · In terms of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, electric cars and trucks are often cleaner than even the most efficient conventional vehicles.Exactly how clean depends on the type of vehicle and the source of the electricity. When battery electric EVs are powered by the cleanest electricity grids, greenhouse gas emissions from EVs are comparable to a car getting over 100 miles per gallon.
Coal Power Impacts - Union of Concerned Scientists
Nov 15, 2017 · Coal impacts: water pollution. When you burn charcoal in your grill at home, ash is leftover. The same is true for coal-fired power plants, which produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash every year. More than half of that waste ends up in ponds, lakes, landfills, and other sites where, over time, it can contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies.
Satellite Database | Union of Concerned Scientists
Dec 8, 2005 · Kyle Ann Sebastian. Assembled by experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the Satellite Database is a listing of the more than 7,560 operational satellites currently in orbit around Earth. Our intent in producing the database is to create a research tool for specialists and non-specialists alike by collecting open-source information ...