The burning of fossil fuels is causing climate change. Fact. Not a made up belief. Anyone who denies this has a very odd relationship with the truth. 

Another fact is that solar energy is clean, renewable, and the technology is improving annually. However fossil fuel fans continue to try and cling to the status quo by spreading lies about solar. Here’s eight of the most frequent anti-solar arguments and why they are just plain wrong.

1. “Solar Panels Are Inefficient” 

THE CLAIM: Solar panels only convert 17-20% of the sunlight that hits them into electricity,so it is hardly worth it, right?

THE TRUTH: Those figures are being blown away by new advancements in solar panels. Bifacial panels increase efficiency by an additional 30-40% , and multi-junction PV cells can increase efficiency by up to 45%. Systems that track the sun are striving for even greater efficiency.Unlike fossil fuels, which have been inefficient and decades, solar technology is developing quickly. 

2. “They’re way too expensive to install”

THE CLAIM:  The average U.S. homeowner would have to spend $18,600 for a 6.5-kiloWatt solar panel system. 

THE TRUTH: Cost is influenced by your location, and after construction, solar upkeep is as low as $140-180  annually. The average system can save $46,000 over a 25-year period. To further seal the deal, a 30% federal tax credit is available through December 31st, 2025. Unlike fossil fuels, which simply keep raising prices for the same filthy product, solar is an investment that pays off – beautifully.

3. “Solar takes up too much land and harms ecosystems.”

THE CLAIM: Big solar farms sprawl across the land, displacing wildlife.

THE TRUTH: This concern applies mainly to utility-scale solar farms, but it is entirely avoided with residential solar and other small-scale installations. Rooftop solar panels fit neatly on existing buildings—such as homes, schools, and businesses—without disturbing natural habitats. 

Additionally, solar panels can be installed on farm buildings, field edges, parking lots, and other already developed or low-impact areas, minimizing ecosystem disruption. Unlike fossil fuel extraction, which has been destroying habitats for over a century, solar energy can be integrated into our landscapes thoughtfully to protect wildlife and natural ecosystems.

Solar panels used in farming, a practice known as agrivoltaics, provide multiple benefits beyond just energy generation. The panel offers shade that protects plants from heat, reduces water loss, and can even boost yields. They also help capture rainwater, conserve resources, and provide farmers with extra income, all while supporting biodiversity and soil health.

4. “Solar panels contain dangerous materials” 

THE CLAIM: Mining for the minerals that solar panels need to work like lithium, cadmium, gallium, and other materials pose environmental and health risks, plus manufacturing panels emit carbon and silicon dust.

THE TRUTH: While mining minerals like lithium, cadmium, and silicon for solar panels does carry some environmental and health risks, these impacts are manageable and minimized through strong regulations, safety standards, and recycling programs currently in place in many states. 

In contrast, fossil fuel extraction and use cause ongoing pollution and emissions with far fewer safeguards or recycling solutions. The solar industry continues to improve sustainable mining practices to reduce environmental harm while supporting a cleaner energy future.

5. “Solar doesn’t work when the sun’s not shining – it’s intermittent energy!”

THE CLAIM: Solar is unreliable because weather, the seasons and night time make its energy intermittent!

THE TRUTH: Er have you heard of something called storage batteries? While solar energy does indeed depend on the sun, advanced battery storage systems store excess power generated during sunny periods, ensuring reliable electricity day and night.  These batteries can power homes and businesses for hours or even days during cloudy weather or outages, making solar a steady and resilient energy source. 

Plus there is another little thing called  grid connection. Grid connection means your solar panels are linked to the public power grid so you can draw power when your panels aren’t producing. With net metering, you can even sell extra energy you make with your solar panel – for credits or cash, and your utility will pay the difference when you need more power. 

While the sun may take pauses, your electricity does not, and the “always on” nature of fossil fuels results in an unending flow of ugly pollutants.

6. “Solar energy benefits from government subsidies that tip the scales in its favor”

THE CLAIM: Government funding for renewable energy technology, such as solar energy system technology, distorts the energy market and therefore takes away citizens’ freedom to buy from a free market.

THE TRUTH: While the solar industry does benefit from government subsidies—such as the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) that offers a 30% credit on installation costs through the end of 2025—these incentives help offset the high upfront costs and accelerate the transition to clean energy. President Trump has cancelled these incentives however in favor of the fossil fuel industry.

In 2022, the United States and the European Union provided $760 billion and $310 billion respectively in subsidies, to the fossil fuel industry. Even though their pollution is driving climate change. Subsidies for solar and renewables are investments in a sustainable future, that just helped to slightly level the playing field against the entrenched fossil fuel sector that has long benefited from decades of financial and policy support without accountability for environmental costs.

7. “The Government has favorites – not fair – boo hoo”

THE CLAIM: It’s unfair to favor one energy source over another.

THE TRUTH: For decades, fossil fuels have received strong support, and their lobbyists have obstructed the advancement of renewable energy. 

In 1975 and 2005, the American Petroleum Institute rejected proposals that would have increased clean technology and efficiency.  Calling solar “favored” ignores the reality that the energy playing field has never been level — and it’s fossil fuels that have been winning by unfair rules and sneaky tactics. 

8. “Oil companies are investing in clean energy anyways”

THE CLAIM: Fossil fuel companies are part of the solution .

THE TRUTH:  According to a  2023  assessment by the International Energy Agency (IEA), fossil fuel companies invest only about 4% of their capital spending—around $30 billion—in clean energy, which accounts for a very small fraction of the global clean energy investment. 

Many of the “green” programs promoted by oil companies are criticized as greenwashing: involving more talk than substantial action. Simply labeling an oil company with a solar or a clean energy logo or over using the color green on the PR – does not change the fact that the industry’s core investments and profits still heavily depend on fossil fuels. But funding is pouring into solar. Overall, real no- fossil fuel related global clean energy investment reached a record $1.8 trillion in 2023, vastly outpacing fossil fuel spending. 

Solar is the Future – Sorry Fossils!

The majority of arguments against solar ultimately fall flat when confronted with the facts, and the difference between solar and fossil fuels is clear. Want to take a deeper dive – read our Explainer- Can The World Run On Sunshine?

Fossil fuels leave behind oil spills, poisonous air, and an unaffordable climate bill.  They are also messy, finite, and expensive for the environment and our finances. Solar energy is more cost-effective, greener, and always evolving with new technologies and increased efficiency. Solar also does not pollute our air and water, unlike all things fossil fuel.

We have a brighter alternative just above our heads every day, so why continue to pay the ugly price of gas, coal, and oil when the sun won’t be sending us a bill anytime soon?

To keep America’s water and air clean we need a strong Environmental Protection Agency, but the present administration has other ideas. Read our EPA statement on their latest attacks on clean air and clean water here, and take action.

If you care about the environment, and are in the U.S., we need your voice. Add your name to our public comments on the EPA’s intentions to gut the agency’s ability to regulate pollution due to climate change, also known as the Endangerment Finding.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

The post 8 Lies About Solar Energy That Make Fossil Fuels Look Extra Ugly appeared first on Earth Day.

Thanks to the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” repealing renewable tax credits, switching to solar may become a little more expensive in the U.S. But this isn’t the case for people in many countries around the world who are increasingly leading the renewable energy movement.

Asia and Africa are solarizing faster than North America and Europe, despite lower GDPs per capita- meaning that the idea that solar starts in rich, western countries and the rest of the world follows is being flipped on its head. How are they doing it? And what can the rest of the world learn from them?

Pakistan is Solarizing To Keep Cool

As climate change heat waves in Pakistan are getting hotter and longer. Temperatures can climb past 100 degrees Fahrenheit regularly, this April reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit. People have to find a way to cool down, and thanks to cheap solar panels from China, solar is more accessible to the masses than ever before. This is why Pakistan is building solar power infrastructure, faster than other developing countries around the world. 

China made 93% of the world’s polysilicon in 2023, the main material used in solar panels, allowing them to make solar panels faster than anyone else and then sell them cheapest. This surplus of cheap solar has made it more readily available, and with rising grid electricity costs, there has been no better time in Pakistan to make the switch to renewable energy. Not because it is better for the environment, but because it is the most economical choice to survive rising temperatures and costs. This means that unlike many other solar movements driven by subsidies and government incentives, Pakistan’s solar revolution is grassroots. 

Grassroots = Unstoppable

The movement is not exclusive to urban areas, it is spreading all throughout Pakistan. Almost 50% of villages in lower Punjab and upper Sindh, the first and second most populous provinces in Pakistan, have solar.  

Often this involves the community sharing their solar infrastructure  – for example in one village, three different families share one solar system stored in a tractor. In another, people use the solar panels during the day, and the farmer who owns the panel takes it back to his house later in the day to use for himself. Community collaboration like this is why people-led solar has taken off in Pakistan.

While this rapid and far reaching solar development has helped the environment by reducing the burning of harmful fossil fuels, and makes electricity affordable, there are some issues that need to be addressed. By solarizing and moving away from the expensive power grid, prices for those who have not yet made the switch may rise. While this incentivizes switching, it punishes those who cannot afford to switch, and in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees fahrenheit, this is a serious safety issue. 

This is why Amjad calls upon the Pakistani government to step in and regulate the market. “Now it’s more about flexible supply to meet flexible demand,” he says of the grid’s need to adapt to new energy needs.

Beyond Pakistan – Solar is Spreading

Beyond Pakistan, countries across Africa are making great strides in solar. Central and West Africa in particular are rapidly embracing solar, with Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria all getting in on the power of sunshine.

Uniquely, people with no access to grid electricity now have access to it for the first time via solar. Rather than replacing existing infrastructure, solar is the original infrastructure for many communities. Plus, many of the solar companies making it possible are locally owned and committed to serving their own communities, building energy infrastructure without paternalistic Western aid. 

The Global Solar Council, a membership-based trade association representing over 97% of the world’s installed solar power capacity, published a report showing that the African solar sector is set to grow 42% in 2025 alone. Most impressively, Africa will more than double their current solar capacity by 2028. While the United States rolls back policies that support the growth of renewable energy domestically, Africa is becoming a solar trailblazer. 

In Bangladesh, solar is being installed rapidly all over the country.  By 2018, over 4 million solar systems had been installed, made possible by microfinancing from grassroots organizations. 

Microfinancing is a practice most often utilized in developing countries that allows low income families, who may not otherwise have access to loans and other financial resources, to finance life-changing ventures, such as starting a business, or, in this case, installing solar panels.  Here, again, we see that green practices and people-led development go hand in hand. 

Keeping this shift to solar going means supporting local initiatives, and regulating energy companies, both grid and solar, to ensure that no one is priced out of the electricity they need. 

We must pressure world leaders to invest in solar to support and uplift these movements, help us do this by signing the petition. 

Local politicians also have a big role to play in uplifting the growth of renewable energy, especially here in the U.S where the industry is under attack. Please send a letter to your local U.S representatives to let them know they must back policies that push renewable energy and help bring all of our energy bills down!

The post Solar is Shining Bright in Pakistan appeared first on Earth Day.

After teacher salaries, energy costs are the second largest expense to school districts. The U.S. Energy Department estimates that K-12 school districts are spending nearly $8 billion yearly to power their schools.

That’s not just a budget line – it’s a major opportunity. Beyond the initial installation cost, solar panels require minimal maintenance and are built to last 30 to 35 years, offering a long-term return on investment that can generate savings for decades. 

These savings can be redirected toward educational priorities such as hiring staff, improving facilities, upgrading technology, or expanding student programs.

Powering Pennsylvania 

Pennsylvania is leading the push with the goal to power all of their public schools with solar energy. Launched in July 2024, the Solar for Schools program offers grants covering up to 50% of solar installation costs for K-12 schools, community colleges, and technical institutions. But is it enough?

This is a common issue among climate initiatives: promising beginnings that fall short when it comes to long-term support and equitable access. While partial funding is a significant step, it’s only the foundation.  

Solar use in K-12 schools has tripled over the past decade in Pennsylvania, yet as of 2024, still less than 2% of schools generate and use their own solar power – a strikingly low figure that lags well behind the national average of 11%. But this is not from lack of interest.

In Solar for Schools’ first application round, demand far exceeded expectations with 88 schools from 25 counties applying for $88 million in funding, despite only $25 million being available. This overwhelming response highlights the clear and growing interest among educational institutions to transition to clean energy, but it also underscores the funding gap. Schools are eager to participate, yet the limited availability of resources may leave many without support. 

Without a corresponding increase in investment, the enthusiasm driving this initiative risks turning into frustration, particularly for schools that have already begun planning for a solar future.

A Success Story

South Central Pennsylvania’s Carlisle Area School District (CASD) has already experienced the benefits of transitioning to solar energy and is eager to build on that progress with support from the Solar for Schools program. Between 2010-11 Bellaire Elementary, one of seven elementary schools in the district, installed hundreds of solar panels amounting to a $2 million project.

Bellaire Elementary now runs entirely on solar and has cut energy bills district-wide by 14%. During the Solar for Schools campaign, Representative Elizabeth Fiedler who sponsored the program toured Bellaire as a model for what’s possible when schools are empowered to make the switch. 

That was in April 2024, amid promises of a grant program backed by state investments ranging anywhere from $50 million to $100 million. Despite receiving bipartisan support, only $25 million ended up being allocated to the program, a figure that fell far short of early projections and the overwhelming demand from schools.

However, in March 2025 Rep. Fiedler mentioned the possibility of an additional $25 million being added to Solar for Schools in Governor Shapiro’s next budget.

It is expected that the grant recommendations will be released in May, and schools are already envisioning what they can do with the potential funding. As schools await decisions, the conversation is shifting toward what’s at stake, and what solar could make possible beyond the installations themselves.

Learning in a New Light

Carlisle is pursuing a solar project for a second school, Crestview Elementary. While they’ve already seen the financial payoff from Bellaire Elementary’s success, their motivation goes deeper than just cost savings. For Carlisle, expanding solar is part of a broader commitment to sustainability, educational innovation, and leading by example in the community.

That educational impact is already coming to life. Superintendent Dr. Colleen Friend shared that the district’s Program Supervisor for Science is especially excited to integrate the solar array into Pennsylvania’s new Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability standards. 

Similarly, students are also excited about a renewable future. A memorable example involved eighth grade students taking part in a “Shark Tank”-inspired project, where they presented innovative ideas to school administrators on how to improve energy efficiency in their own school buildings.

Empowering Schools, Energizing Communities

Superintendent Dr. Friend also explains that “This would be a win at every angle you look at it.” In addition to the educational and environmental benefits, expanding solar in schools brings broader community advantages: reducing strain on local energy grids, showcasing sustainability in action, and demonstrating how schools can lead by example in addressing climate challenges.

But to turn early progress into lasting impact, consistent momentum is key. Long-term support, reliable investment, and continued public attention will be essential to ensure that clean energy has a sustainable and equitable foundation.

This year’s Earth Day theme, Our Power, Our Planet, is a powerful reminder that the shift to clean energy isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about empowerment. When schools harness solar power, they’re not only cutting emissions, they’re planting the seeds of climate action in the minds of young people, giving communities the tools to shape their own energy future.

Ready to take the next step? Sign on to Earth Action Day to take bold, collective action for a cleaner, more sustainable planet by encouraging the switch to renewables. 

Informed communities and unstoppable communities, so whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or policymaker, you have a role to play in shaping a just future. From supporting clean energy programs to integrating climate lessons into classrooms, every action counts. Let’s power up together!

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

The post Bright Ideas: Solar in Pennsylvania Schools Is an Investment in Learning appeared first on Earth Day.

Solar energy is taking off across the US, the latest industry report by the SEIA shows that 66% of all new electricity capacity added to the US grid is solar. It’s not a shock to me as solar was part of my family’s story for longer than most.

Given that today is Solar Appreciation Day, I want to share my family’s experience with a home powered by sunshine and why we found so much value in this renewable energy source.

“Appreciate” is a very specific word—it’s about finding real value in something. I truly do appreciate solar energy because it has brought so much to my life: light, clean clothes, safe food, clean dishes, heating, cooling, entertainment, and the ability to charge my phone, keeping me connected. My childhood really was powered by sunshine.

But If I’m being honest, I never thought of myself as an environmentalist. Not because it’s a dirty word; I just thought you had to shower with rainwater to consider yourself a “true environmentalist.” Anyone from Bakersfield, California knows this isn’t possible if you want anyone to come within ten feet of you most of the year. Yet, as I’ve gotten older, I have realized my parents raised me to live sustainably without giving it a second thought. They gave me green muscle memory.

How Did They Flex Your Green Muscle Memory So Early On?

My parents were the first people in our neighborhood to install solar. When I asked them, “Why solar?” They said, “Long ago, it was clear climate change was a reality. We wanted to be sure that when our children asked us how we got here, we could honestly say we did everything we could to leave you a livable world. The money we saved from the experience was just a welcome side benefit.” 

So back in 2008 when a solar company knocked on the door to give them a price breakdown for going solar with what is known as a “pay off time” pitch which basically explains how long it will take to break even. At the time my parents’ made the solar leap installation, the energy provider was pushing back against energy consumers purchasing solar units that would overproduce the energy the home needed. Because the utility company was then required to buy back that extra unused energy for the national grid. 

My parents were advised to get a smaller solar system but they somehow knew that electric cars were coming, and their energy needs would be greater so they opted for a large 40 panel system. As energy prices continue to rise nationally, this was clearly a very smart decision. Basically, they are creating their own energy right on their roof.

It Didn’t Stop At Solar

Their advocacy had started in earnest. When the homeowner’s association (HOA) tried to put up a fight about the aesthetics of having panels on the roof, claiming the panels would not be pleasing on the eyes, they fought back.  Explaining that due to the California Solar Rights Act of 1978 the HOA did not have the power to stop them from installing the system. All the power was in my parent’s hands.

California is not the only state that secures homeowners’ right to install solar panels and arrays on their property: for instance Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and many others also have similar protections.

How Does Home Solar Work?

Every solar scheme can be slightly different, and each state can have slightly different rulings and laws around solar but in my family’s case – all the energy their solar panels create is fed back into the grid. They can then use the equivalent of all that energy back off the grid whenever they want and if they generate a surplus of energy, their energy company pays them the difference. 

In California, the local energy provider only pays solar owners 3-3.9 cents per kw but sells it for 34 to 72 cents a kw. There is also a fee to ‘use’ their power lines which is about $9 a month in California. With this monthly fee and purchasing of the system itself, it usually takes anywhere from 3 to 6 years to break even, so like any large financial undertaking it is an investment.

What Happens When You Sell Your Solar Home?

By the time we sold our family home – we’d been solar for about a decade and the utility company owed us $1000 credits That means they over produced enough energy to power over 612 cars on a trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles (for my non-west-coasters, that’s a LOT of power). 

The thing about renewable energy is that it’s not the future. It is NOW. That is why EARTHDAY.ORG has designated the Earth Day theme of 2025 as Our Power, Our Planet for 2025, advocating for a triple in renewable energy production by 2030. 

The renewables movement has been growing for centuries and it cannot be stopped no matter how hard the fossil fuel industry might try, so we can either get on and embrace  renewables or watch the rest of the world leap ahead of us. 

Don’t believe me, then consider these incredible renewable energy facts: 

China is making massive investments in renewable energy and is currently leading the world in both wind and solar. Uruguay has transformed its energy sector, generating 98% of its electricity from renewable sources. India is aiming to achieve 50% of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030. Kenya’s geothermal power accounts for nearly half of all its electricity generation. A third of all homes in Australia use solar power. In Brazil hydro-electric accounted for nearly 68% of its total electricity generation in 2023. In Denmark, over 50% of the country’s electricity is generated from wind turbines and by 2026, wind energy will power 30% of Spain, 17% of the Netherlands and 23% of the electricity needs of Germany.

…and in the US?

In 2023, the US produced more solar power than ever before with California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Arizona the states leading the solar revolution. It is helping to produce the cheapest electricity in history.  

In the United States, Texas—long associated with oil production—now leads the nation in wind energy generation.  The U.S. also has used its existing drilling capacity to become the world’s leading producer of advanced geothermal energy. California and Florida, states often at odds politically, are both at the forefront of the solar power boom.  Across the U.S., solar capacity has grown over ten-fold in the last decade and is poised to become the 2nd largest source of USA’s generating capacity in the next few years.

Find out more about solar energy by reading our Explainer Can The World Run On Sunshine? I wish you good luck  on your solar journey – and whatever you do remember that it is almost certain that just 10 years from now millions of us will be using electricity generated by solar energy!

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

The post I’m an Enviro-Economist, This is Why You Should Be Too appeared first on Earth Day.

Solar is most famous for being a planet-saving addition to the roof of your home. But it can help us meet our growing energy needs while creating a pathway to a clean energy future for us all. Which is why in just a decade, solar has skyrocketed from generating just 0.57% of the world’s energy to 5.52% in 2023. This near ten fold rise, paired with decreased production costs, makes solar an increasingly reliable and affordable energy option.  

As we mark World Soil Day It’s also worth celebrating that it is also transformative force to be reckoned with in  farming!  Here are 5 key ways that solar energy is revolutionizing farming practices around the world.

1. Agrivoltaics: Powering Farms and Protecting Crops

Agrivoltaics is the practice of combining solar energy generation and crop cultivation. Here’s how –heat stress is a major threat to heat-sensitive plants like cereal but the shade provided by solar panels allows crops to thrive and for farmers to maximize their product. Combining solar and growing crops is gaining global momentum, and is already being used in Germany by farmers who are using solar panels to create shade for their orchards. 

Research in Africa showed that solar panels shade crops from the extreme droughts and heat waves that are becoming more prevalent there due to climate change.  This system produces clean energy as well as more favorable growing conditions for crops, making it a win-win for both the environment and farmers.

2. Providing Shade for Livestock

Solar panels are not just beneficial shade providers for crops, animals too are  feeling the heat. Farmers are increasingly installing solar panels over grazing areas to provide shade for sheep and cows. The shaded areas help them stay cool during the summer months, and helps sheep reduce their wool surface temperature by as much as 50℉!  Happier, healthier animals can lead to higher productivity, and maximize the efficiency of farms. 

Plus let’s not forget that a single cow farts enough to release over 200 pounds of methane every year! With methane’s warming power being 28 times greater than carbon dioxide, supplying enough beef to meet global demand is accelerating climate change. Luckily, solar panels on farms can help the meat industry become more climate-friendly, as a farmer can harvest enough clean power to offset methane emissions from a cow with just 4.1 square meters of solar panels.  

3. Innovative Water Collection Systems Powered by Solar Panels

Farming consumes a lot of water. Making water management a critical issue for most farmers, especially in areas facing periods of drought or inconsistent rainfall. 

Solar offers farmers the opportunity to find ingenious ways to collect and conserve water. One innovative off-gridder in Arizona has used his existing solar energy set up to conserve rainwater. With the average temperature of Phoenix in July reaching a whopping 106 degrees Fahrenheit, he found a simple way to save on his water bill by using his solar panels as funnels to direct run of water into basins that are positioned on the ground beneath the solar panels. Rain runs off the solar panels and collects in these basins,  for when he needs it. By not relying on expensive water or energy infrastructure, he is able to be self-sustaining. Bigger farms can use similar collection techniques to redirect collected rainwater to thirsty crops. 

A study in Jordan showed promising results, with 444 liters of water collected off of just 4 square meters of solar panels over two months. Every liter collected is a liter that does not have to be paid for or transported to the farm. Water collection systems like this make solar panels do double duty and save farmers money by taking advantage of rainy seasons to collect and store water for when it is needed most.

4. Pollinator Gardens in Solar Fields: Boosting Biodiversity and Crop Yields

Pollinator gardens are an essential part of every healthy ecosystem. But our precious pollinators are being lost at shocking rates, with bee populations decreasing by 60% over just 15 years. 

One of the major drivers of this loss is climate change, which will only worsen if we don’t transition away from climate killing fossil fuels to renewable, clean energy. The second major threat that pollinators face is habitat loss. 

Many people’s concerns with solar fields is that they create wasted land where nothing grows. But solar farms do not need to be  barren fields of panels. In fact, they benefit from vegetation and ground cover, which lowers ground temperature, maximizing solar efficiency. 

Solar farms across the country are being turned into vibrant ecosystems that benefit local wildlife and farming communities. Creating unlikely pollinator garden habitats that combat wildflower meadow losses caused by human development and which in turn has devastated bee numbers. In Minnesota, for example, pollinator-friendly gardens are being planted underneath and around solar panels. 

5. Diversifying Farm Income with Solar Power

By growing pollinator-friendly plants in solar fields, farmers can boost biodiversity, improve crop yields, and support local ecosystems. Thereby tackling both of the major threats to pollinators: climate change and habitat loss.

With the increasing variability of weather and the fragility of monoculture farming, farmers can be financially devastated if just one year’s crops doesn’t produce the expected yield. 

As a result, farmers have to choose between low–yield drought-resistant crops or increased yield volatility. Neither option is good for the farmer, as one crop has lower overall potential and the other crop risks ending up with no yield at all. Farmers are increasingly diversifying to keep their profit margins stable, with many farming blogs recommending that farms open themselves up to tourism and field trips.

Solar energy can be another source of additional income, acting as a solar profit safety net for farmers, so they do not have to live yield-to-yield. Farmers are turning their solar panels into a revenue-generating asset by selling the excess energy they produce back to the grid. 

In some cases, solar power can provide enough energy to power entire communities. One solar-powered farm in Boulder, Colorado supplies electricity to over 300 homes! This creates a new income stream for the farmer and contributes to the local community’s energy needs in a planet friendly way! 

The Future of Solar and Farming

Solar energy and agriculture are proving their relationship is a mutually-beneficial one. As technology improves and more farmers adopt solar solutions, we can expect to see even more innovative applications emerge. Solar energy is ushering in a new era of sustainable agriculture.

EARTHDAY.ORG knows that renewable energy investment is the only way forward, which is why we have chosen Our Power, Our Planet as the theme for Earth Day 2025. It’s time we give fossil fuels the boot and replace them with solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and tidal energy sources.

Join us in our call for #RenewableEnergyNow by signing the Our Power, Our Planet Renewable Energy Petition calling on global leaders to phase out fossil fuels and triple renewable energy generation by 2030. Looking to take more action? Explore our Global Energy Map to see what different countries are doing to transition to renewable energy and watch our new reel, 6 Months to Earth Day 2025. Follow us on social media (IG, LinkedIn, You Tube, X and Facebook) and share our articles and posts to spread the message!

The post Harvesting the Sun: How Solar Energy is Revolutionizing Farming appeared first on Earth Day.

A Guide for Middle Schoolers

If you are an educator and want to join the EARTHDAY.ORG network, consider supporting our mission to put climate education into every single classroom around the world and please utilize these  free resources on climate education and why it matters.

If you are a teacher in the K – 12 grades please consider utilizing our free guide, The School Guide to Teaching Climate Education, because you can never start teaching students about climate change early enough.

Let’s make the schools sunnier and talk about solar.

What Is Solar Energy?

When you stand in sunlight and it heats your skin, that is solar energy. Have you ever thought about how we can use sunlight to power our schools? That’s what solar energy is all about! Solar energy uses sunlight to create electricity or warm air and water. Here’s how:

• Solar Panels: These are special flat panels designed to catch sunlight and turn it into electricity. They’re usually found on rooftops or in big fields. When sunlight hits the solar cells in the panels, it creates an electrical current that powers things like lights and computers in schools!
• Solar Heating: This method uses sunlight to heat water or air. Special devices called solar collectors absorb sunlight and warm it up. This means schools can have hot water for showers or keep classrooms warm without using as much electricity or gas.

So, even though solar panels and solar heating both use sunlight, they do different things. Solar panels make electricity, while solar heating creates hot water and warm air!

Solar energy is great for schools because it helps save money and keeps the air clean. Why? Well because solar doesn’t create harmful gasses like carbon dioxide or methane, which come from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil. 

These gasses can trap heat in the atmosphere around our planet, causing climate change, which makes our planet warmer and can lead to extreme weather. They can also cause air pollution, making it harder for us to breathe and affecting our health.

By using solar energy, we can help fight climate change and protect our Earth for future generations. So, when we power our schools with sunlight, we’re not just saving money; we’re also making the world a better place!

Schools Going Solar

Many schools are now using solar energy. For example, in California, lots of schools have installed solar panels. This helps them save a lot of money on electricity bills and teaches students about being kind to the Earth.

California is a leader in using solar power. Nearly 2,500 schools there have solar panels! Schools like the San Diego Unified School District are saving millions of dollars and showing kids how solar energy works.

It’s not just schools in California that are using solar, but all across the U.S.  In Aurora, Illinois West Aurora High School makes the same amount of energy as almost 3,000 pounds of methane and helps reduce CO2 pollution just like planting 806 trees. In Massachusetts, Murray Elementary School has installed solar panels that provide enough energy to power the entire school. In 2010, in Colorado, Denver Public Schools launched a massive solar project, aiming to have solar panels in all their schools. It has been very successful, covering about 10% of their energy needs and saving the district 7% of their energy costs. 

These schools are just a few examples of how solar energy is lighting up the educational landscape across the United States. 

Awesome Solar Schools Around the World

Here are some schools from different places that use solar energy or teach their students about it:

• The Green School (Bali, Indonesia): This school is one of the most sustainable there is, and solar power is a big part of that. Students at this school got to help install their solar panels and learned how they work in the process!
• Richard Montgomery High School (Maryland, USA): This school has solar panels on its roof that power the school. This has covered almost half of their energy needs while saving the school money – a win-win.
• Danish School of Education (Denmark): This school has solar panels covering the entire building- like diamond Minecraft armor!  Not only does the school look like a cool art piece, but this gives students the chance to learn lessons about solar energy and helps students understand how it can help the Earth.
• In Australia, St. Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney has a solar system that generates over 100,000 kWh of clean energy annually. 
• Meanwhile, in India, The K. C. Mahindra Education Trust supports solar-powered schools in rural areas, helping to provide electricity to over 10,000 students who previously had limited access to resources. 

By harnessing the power of the sun, these schools are not only saving money but also inspiring the next generation to care for the planet!

Learning About Solar Energy

Schools that use solar energy are also able to really teach students all about it. Kids get to do fun projects, like building small solar-powered cars or learning how solar panels work. By having solar around them, students can gain a deeper understanding of how it works and build “Green Muscle Memory”. Let’s build those muscles to save the Earth!

Solar Is Taking Off Globally

Almost 5% of all energy from around the world comes from solar power. Places like the United States and Germany are using a lot of solar power to help the planet. But it is China that is leading in solar energy. As time goes on, we are going to get more energy from solar; it is the fastest growing energy source.

Of course, solar energy isn’t perfect. Making solar panels can use materials that need to be handled carefully, and sometimes the sun doesn’t shine, which can make it a bit tricky. But solar can power a lot without polluting the environment like fossil fuels do. 

Wrapping Up on Solar Energy

Solar energy is a fantastic way to use sunlight to make electricity. Schools all over the world are using this cool technology to save money and teach kids about being eco-friendly.

By learning about solar energy and using it in our schools, we can help create a brighter and cleaner future for everyone!

If you are a student and want to learn more about the other renewable energy sources you can here in The Middle Schoolers Guide to Renewable Energy and consider exploring these books:  

The Boy Who Harnessed Wind, Young Reader’s Edition by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer, best for ages 8 to 12

The book takes place in a place where resources are limited. Following the main character, readers experience courage, hope, and resiliency, that comes with determination and ingenuity. 

Planet Power: Explore the World’s Renewable Energy by Stacy P. Clark, best for ages 8 to 12

What is renewable energy? Clark discusses wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy—in a way that is both accessible and exciting.

Solar Story by by Allan Drummond, best for ages 4 to 8

This book is based on the origin story of a solar installation in Toucan, Mali. This follows the changes of solar on a community. 

Charged: A History of Batteries and Lessons for a Clean Energy Future by James Morton Turner, best for ages 12 to 16

James Turner discusses the extraction of raw materials like lithium and cobalt, the environmental costs of battery production, and the broad scaling of supply chains. He emphasizes the need for sustainable practices in battery innovation. Furthermore, the need for sustainable technologies to meet the demand for electricity.

The post Bright Ideas with Solar Energy appeared first on Earth Day.

Imagine a world where your home is powered by the same force that lights up the sky every day. No more hefty electricity bills, no more dependence on fossil fuels that harm our planet—just pure, clean energy from the sun. Sounds like a dream, right? 

But this dream is rapidly becoming a reality, thanks to the incredible potential of solar energy. Solar energy has been shining more brightly than ever in recent years as the world seeks cleaner, more sustainable power to combat climate change. This renewable energy source is poised to revolutionize the global energy landscape in the coming decades. Here are five illuminating facts about solar energy’s rapid rise and its potential to power our future:

1. Solar is Poised to Dominate the Future of Energy

Solar energy is not just a trend; it’s set to become the cornerstone of global electricity generation. According to recent studies, solar energy is expected to account for over half of the world’s electricity by 2050. This shift is driven by rapid technological advancements and decreasing costs, with the price of solar energy anticipated to drop by 60% in the coming decades. 

As traditional energy sources like coal and oil become less viable due to environmental concerns and resource depletion, solar is emerging as the most promising alternative. The transition to solar not only represents a shift in energy production but also a significant step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

2. Technological Breakthroughs Are Enhancing Solar Efficiency

One of the key factors propelling solar energy into the mainstream is the continuous improvement in technology. Traditional solar panels have an efficiency rate of around 17-20%, meaning that a significant portion of sunlight is not converted into usable electricity. This is because most single-sided solar panels are limited in their ability to capture and convert the full spectrum of sunlight.

However, new technologies like bifacial solar panels and multi-junction PV cells are pushing these boundaries. Bifacial panels, which capture sunlight from both sides, can increase energy yield by 10-30% compared to standard panels. These innovative panels have cells on both the front and back, allowing them to harness sunlight that reflects off the ground or other surfaces. When combined with tracking systems that follow the sun’s path, bifacial panels can significantly boost overall energy generation.

Meanwhile, multi-junction cells, which layer different materials to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, have achieved efficiencies as high as 45%. These advanced cells work by stacking different types of materials, such as  gallium indium phosphide (GaInP), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), and germanium (Ge) on top of each other, with each layer optimized to capture specific wavelengths of light. Although multi-junction cells are currently more expensive to manufacture than traditional panels, their superior efficiency makes them a promising technology for the future of solar energy.

3. Solar is powering up around the globe

The future looks especially bright for solar energy in the United States. Projections show total U.S. solar capacity soaring to 673 gigawatts (GW) by 2034, a nearly four-time  increase from today’s levels. One gigawatt alone can power 100 million LED light bulbs! 

Political support like the Inflation Reduction Act’s, IRA,  $369 billion for clean energy, including solar tax credits, is further propelling the industry’s expansion. In this solar boom, 22 states or territories anticipated to surpass 100,000 solar installations by 2030. Remember that while renewable energy received tax credits in the recent IRC, the fossil fuel industry has been receiving tax credits and subsidies for over fifty years and according to the International Monetary Fund they total $7 TRILLION.

It’s not just the U.S. seeing a solar renaissance – countries worldwide are harnessing the power of the sun. China has the world’s largest solar capacity, aiming for a staggering 1,200 GW of renewables by 2025. The ambitious target puts China five years ahead of its original green energy goals. 

Europe is also charging ahead, with the European Green Deal and REPowerEU plan targeting nearly 600 GW of solar by 2030 to slash reliance on imported fossil fuels. Down under, Australia is embracing rooftop solar, with over 30% of households already installing photovoltaic systems. As technology improves and costs fall, the sun is clearly rising on the global energy stage.

4. Solar can save homeowners big money, but storage and efficiency challenges remain

Beyond its environmental impact, solar energy presents significant economic advantages, particularly for homeowners. While the initial cost of installing solar panels can be substantial, the long-term savings are undeniable. On average, a homeowner can save approximately $37,500  over 25 years by switching to solar energy. 

This is largely due to the decreasing costs of solar panels and the rising cost of traditional electricity. Additionally, solar energy systems typically pay for themselves within 5-15 years, after which the electricity generated is essentially free. With utility bills on the rise and the cost of solar decreasing, now is the perfect time for homeowners to consider making the switch to solar.

5. Solar Energy Faces Environmental and Manufacturing Challenges

While solar energy is a clean, renewable power source, its massive growth does not come without environmental consequences. Producing solar panels is an energy-intensive process, often relying on fossil-fueled power that generates greenhouse gas emissions.

Large-scale solar farms also require vast swaths of land, which can disrupt local ecosystems and threaten biodiversity if not thoughtfully developed. The industry is exploring ways to mitigate these issues, like using “agrivoltaics” that combine solar with agriculture, or integrating native vegetation into solar farms.

Solar panel waste is another looming issue, with the International Renewable Energy Agency predicting up to 78 million metric tons of decommissioned panels by 2050. Lack of recycling infrastructure and economic incentives mean most dead panels currently end up in landfills instead of being recycled, something the industry must address. 

Finally, many solar panels rely on hazardous materials like cadmium, as well as plastics made from fossil fuel-derived petrochemicals. Despite these challenges, innovation is enabling greener solar technology as the industry matures.

The sun has always been the center of life on Earth, and now its energy looks poised to play a central role in powering human civilization sustainably. As the old proverb goes, “the sun shines on everyone” – and it seems everyone could soon be running on sunshine too.

To learn more about EVs read our EXPLAINER. and follow us on social media, or subscribe to our Substack channel.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

The post 5 Illuminating Facts You Should Know About Solar Energy appeared first on Earth Day.

• Upfront Cost vs Long Term Savings

The biggest barrier of entry for solar power is the relatively large upfront cost. The average cost of a small scale commercial solar panel system is about $2 per watt, which typically amounts to $200,000 for installation across the entire company. Along with the infrastructure for battery storage for more complex solar panel systems, the upfront costs could be as high as $500,000 for small businesses.

Businesses may be hesitant to such an upfront investment or unable to afford large-scale installations at all. However, there are many financing options available for commercial solar installations. In the United States, power purchase agreements (PPAs) can significantly reduce the financial strain with the help of a third party. PPAs involve special purpose entities (SPE) which oversee the installation of solar equipment and the energy system operations for a time, gradually transitioning ownership back to the customer to reduce upfront costs.

The payback period of photovoltaic solar panels varies depending on several factors including installation scale, local climate, and energy consumption. With the variety of financing options available through PPAs and government incentives, solar installations see a payback period of three to five years. As photovoltaic solar cells have an average lifespan of 25 to 30 years, the financial benefits of solar panels would outweigh the upfront for decades of use.

• Off the Grid

Reducing the reliance for power from the grid would greatly reduce utility costs. Commercial property owners typically reduce overall energy utility costs by 75% by installing solar panels, with an average monthly energy bill reduced from $1,950 to $500.

Energy independence can be one of the most attractive benefits of solar power for your business. Depending on the power consumption trends of your business, the volatility of the grid could interfere with day-to-day operations. For any small business, the amount of power production from small-scale solar installations can be considered small enough to be “behind the meter” generating power exclusively for on-site use.

Depending on the power usage trends of a small business, switching to solar and relying less on the grid for power would have major financial benefits. This in turn reduces the demand on the grid, reducing the amount of power generated from the top down typically from non-renewable sources like coal and natural gas.

• Politics

Despite what some may believe, the benefits of solar power align with both major political viewpoints. The independence from electricity sourced from fossil fuels and innovation in renewable technologies are more appealing to some, while the economic benefits from reduced utility bills via energy independence align more with others.

With the cost of solar dropping over 60% in the last decade, adopting green energy for small businesses is an easy win. Across the political spectrum, business owners can acknowledge the benefits of comparatively cheap electricity for their job site.

The flexibility and varying benefits of solar energy benefits everyone, regardless of economic mindsets and political views. To condense the expanding economic benefits of solar power down to a right versus left issue is a gross oversimplification.

• Optics

Shockingly, one of the biggest benefits solar panels can bring to your business is how clients or customers subconsciously view them. Depending on the installation of your business’ solar panels, they may or may not be easily visible from customers’ spaces. If a solar panel happens to be visible from outside your business, customers become accustomed to them, knowing how much your business values your utilities at a glance.

Creating signage for your business can be an easier way to bring awareness to solar installations. With inward and outward facing displays indicating your business is powered by solar energy, appealing signage can draw in and retain customers who value your business’ energy priorities.

Depending on the layout required for your installation, the solar panels themselves may not be visible from ground level. However, with eye-catching signage, you can bypass visibility problems with photos or diagrams. For instance, if solar panels are flat on your rooftops, aerial photos of your building or a diagram of the energy systems could improve customer awareness. Bright, appealing graphic designs describing your solar installation can be just as effective as the photovoltaic cells themselves.

The prevalence of solar panels at your business can silently communicate to your customers that you value the long-term benefits of green energy. For the more motivated client or consumer, it could be a conversation starter. They might ask questions such as “How much was that to put up?” or “How much are those saving you?” or “How do you keep the lights on at night with those?” that could lead to more enriching conversation. Engaging with your customers like this regularly will lead to more deals being made and more repeat customers.

Normalizing solar panels at businesses customers see everyday can change the public’s perception of solar panels in other aspects of their lives. When the everyday presence of solar panels becomes normalized, the benefits of their relatively high upfront cost may be more palatable, informing their investment choices and/or voting preferences towards lawmakers who back them. Observing solar panels in comfortable environments can increase social acceptance in broaders contexts, like utility-scale solar installations.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s campaign, Invest In Our Planet, encourages businesses to take the next step towards sustainability. Incorporating solar panels into your business’ infrastructure is a great investment into the future of not only your business, but the planet. Not only will it pay for itself in a few short years, but the visual stimuli for your customers will normalize the prevalence of solar panels and hopefully encourage customers to incorporate them in their home or business. 

Make the smart choice for your business and ask whether incorporating green energy into your utility solution makes sense. If you care about our planet’s future and energy cost savings, it certainly will.

The post The Unexpected Benefits of Using Solar Power at Your Small Business appeared first on Earth Day.

According to a 2018 study by the International Labour Organisation, India’s shift to a green economy could add 3 million jobs in the renewable energy sector alone by 2030. More people are needed in rooftop solar power generation jobs, manufacturing solar panel modules, inverters and converters, and end-use components for LED bulbs and energy-efficient pumps.

The UNEP defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. The environment is seen as a determining factor of economic production, value, stability, and long-term prosperity – indeed, as a source of growth and a spur to innovation. Simply put, the Green Economy is an effective pathway to sustainable development.

Millions of green jobs are now opening up in varied sectors: to help protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce the consumption of energy, water, and other natural resources and materials through high-efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; minimize or altogether avoid the generation of all forms of waste and pollution; for green buildings. According to a 2018 study by the International Labour Organisation, India’s shift to a green economy could add 3 million jobs in the renewable energy sector alone by 2030. More people are needed in rooftop solar power generation jobs, manufacturing solar panel modules, inverters and converters, and end-use components for LED bulbs and energy-efficient pumps.

In India, around two out of three people inhabit the rural sector. To encourage the adoption of green jobs here, our organization Earth Day Network (EDN) awards villages that adopt green livelihoods. These EDN Star Villages get highlighted as examples for others also to emulate. Winners include Dobisha in West Medinipur, West Bengal, a model village that meets all its energy needs through its established solar energy systems. Sothawadi Village, District Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, with guidance from the State Forest Department for Biodiversity Conservation, has set up a Biodiversity Management Committee that maintains a Biodiversity Register. Today, this has details of over 100 native medicinal plants, Non-Timber Forest Produce, and flowering species that grow in and around Sothawadi. The villagers now protect these and cultivate rare, endangered, and threatened species such as Chironji (Buchanania lanzan). Traditionally its seeds are recognized as beneficial to health and thus receive premium rates on sale. The beneficial methods of climate-resilient agro-ecology adopted by the villagers in Kedia village in Jamui District, Bihar, have proven excellent methods to rejuvenate the soil and enhance rural livelihoods. These include a switch to natural, cheaper, and less harmful pesticides and fertilizers such as vermicomposting and use of Neem sprays, and ways to use our dwindling natural wealth – water judiciously.

Earth Day Network also recognizes women’s Self Help Groups active in the Green Economy that enhance their livelihoods with eco-friendly enterprises. On the 8th of each month, we announce an EDN Star Women’s Group. Take the example of Jhargram Block Aranya Sundari Mahila Mahasangam in West Bengal State. Its 500 local women artisans opted for training by the West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board to enable the trainees to upgrade what they traditionally crafted – fashioning bowls and plates out of collected dry leaves (patta) of the indigenous Sal (Shorea robusta) trees that naturally grow in the forests around. The training enables them to work with machines to mass produce for sale, these biodegradable alternatives to plastic items. The Mahasangam assists production by opening up microfinance avenues for the women, providing warehouse facilities to safely store the finished products till the items get shipped to customers. A separate network of women Self-Help Groups gets trained in marketing skills to increase the sale of the products and earn their livelihood through it. In this manner, both the producers and the salespersons earn from the green product.

Another such commendable Star Women’s Group is Ahenba Products. It provides urban Manipuri women with the chance to enhance their livelihoods by producing and selling eco-friendly, handcrafted products out of upcycled reeds and water hyacinth. The Narmada Mata Mahila Bachhat Gat are tribal women of Bhill and Pawara communities based in Khadkya and Manwani villages in Nandurbar District. They were trained as part of the Chief Minister’s Rural Development programme to help villages in Maharashtra. The women enhance their incomes through the sale of chemical-free farm produce they grow, such as the nutritious mahua (Madhuca longifolia) laddoos.

On the occasion of the first International Day for Clean Air and Blue Skies (September 7, 2020), Earth Day Network, in association with CLEAN, launched Clean Energy Stars, an initiative to recognize social enterprises in the clean energy sector. Blue Match Impact Solution is one such green enterprise whose environment-friendly EcoCookstoves significantly impact the lives of rural women in Karnataka. Doorastha Analytics is another green enterprise we commended for their Smart Distributed Solar Micro-Grid Energy Systems. Their innovative Pay-As-You-Go service has rural populations in Uttar Pradesh benefit as locals can now have 24×7 access to energy to operate their small-scale businesses. To ensure benefits remain local, Doorastha Analytics trains villagers to operate the plants. The energy-providing model got developed after extensive research on ways to minimize losses in transmission and distribution, safeguard against pilferage, and ensure that operating systems are economical and efficient. Its innovative Pay-as-you-Go service is implemented through smart metering technology and IoT-based monitoring of the assets. The benefits are obvious. A tailor who draws in energy supplied by Doorastha Analytics says: ‘I earn much more now as I can work even after sundown. Paying for the energy is also not a problem. The extra work done suffices to pay for the costs. And, I still have savings left over.’ A saloon owner is happy that the light and fan in his establishment draw in more customers. Based on the success of the initial grids Doorastha Analytics set up, the organization plans to expand operations to 1000 grids by 2023. This access to energy will likely provide benefits to some 55,000 rural enterprises.

A majority of rural populations rely on kerosene for domestic lighting. In these areas, even those households connected to the grid need to use kerosene for lighting from time to time as the supply of electricity is often erratic. As a result, many children get compelled to study with light from kerosene lamps. The carbon fumes emitted harm Indoor Air Quality and prove to be a major cause of deaths, as documented by the WHO. The relatively dimmer light provided by kerosene lamps also affects eyesight. Dlight Solar Lamp solar-charged lighting facility has multiple benefits. It replaces the use of carbon-emitting fuels. Students can now avail extended hours of study. Additionally, the use of solar lighting is less expensive when compared to the purchase of kerosene. ‘Because we don’t need to spend any money on kerosene, we save around 200 rupees a month’ says Janendra, a farmer from Bihar whose daughter is also happy as she now has brighter light to study. Dlight Solar Lamps have already benefited 27 million school-going children. The company pledges to continue to provide affordable and accessible solar lighting and power systems to rural areas.

The foundation to ensure that more and more people take up jobs in the Green Economy (both rural and urban) rests on creating a climate literate population. Education has a crucial role to play in building the workforce for a new, greener economy. Education influences the knowledge, values, and behavior of all individuals in our societies and builds the skills of current and future leaders. Research suggests that individual behavior changes in food and waste, agriculture, transport, and heating can reduce 20-37 percent of emissions (~390-730GT); early studies also suggest that students who learn about climate action influence not just their own choices, but those of their families and communities as well. Education systems should urgently empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to act on climate in their families and communities: 85 percent of youth globally believe they have a responsibility to tackle climate change, but over 40 percent are unsure of how to have an impact.

For the next generation of workers, we need to upskill incumbent workers and train the unemployed and disadvantaged youth. We face global competition on the green economy that will debilitate our effort to create the next generation of innovators and innovations and the jobs that come with them if we do not educate our students and workers. Furthermore, this time, given the ravages of climate change, we are competing for more than our own economic survival.

An educated workforce is a valuable hedge against global competition and as a driver of a massive green expansion as countries place greater emphasis on green jobs. As the world moves to reimagine how we manufacture, build, transport, operate, power, or fuel just about everything we use or do, we need fully integrated climate literacy to drive innovation and jobs in all sectors. Numerous think tanks and corporate research efforts point to this need for an educated and entrepreneurial workforce.

With this in mind, we ask governments at COP 26 to commit to compulsory, assessed climate education linked to civic engagement. It should become as fundamental as teaching reading and writing. It is necessary to integrate and embed climate literacy across all grade levels and disciplines with the necessary teacher training and support. Beyond the direct teaching of climate education, commit in parallel to enabling young people, especially those in vulnerable and historically marginalized groups that stand to lose the most in the climate crisis, with the skills and support to thrive in a greener world. Together these efforts will create the first generation of true climate literate and civically active citizens who will be able to make environmentally informed choices about how they live, work, and participate in government, and become the climate literate workforce needed to build a new, stronger, and more sustainable 21st-century economy.

Earth Day Network-India (EDN) is an environmental organization. We aim to help Restore our Earth (a major focus in several countries across the globe) with initiatives that focus on ways to regrow green cover, rejuvenate aquifers, restore soil, refresh air, reduce and manage waste, encourage a switch to clean and green energies, and build environmental stewardship among youth. We are inspired by the global NGO EARTHDAY.ORG that grew out of the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and today engages with over 50,000 organizations in some 190 countries to take the environmental movement forward.

This article was originally published on Emerging Technology News and was reprinted with permission. Read the original story here.

The post Green Jobs: Earn while you sustain appeared first on Earth Day.

The coronavirus pandemic, and the shutdowns that come with it, is changing every part of our lives. This includes how we use electricity.  

Around the world, electricity use is plummeting. Since December, the United States use is down 5%, the European Union is down 6% and India is down a whopping 18%.

With most businesses closed and stay-at-home orders in effect, many people can do little but hunker down in place. And, though the pandemic often makes us feel powerless, it also gives us a chance to reassess our individual behaviors, like our power consumption.

And it starts with switching to green power.

In the U.S., nearly all residences are connected to a centralized grid, which gets most of its energy from fossil fuels. Swapping out fossil fuels like natural gas and coal — both of which emit greenhouse gases that warm the planet — for renewables like wind and solar is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

We’re already heading in the right direction. Despite the drop in oil and gas prices that typically push us toward increased use of fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are set to make up over 20 percent of electricity use in the U.S. for the first time. This is up from 18 percent last year and ten percent in 2010. 

All it takes is a quick phone call or internet search to start the process. 

The simplest and most common way to switch to green energy is simply contacting your local utility company. Here’s how it works:

Utilities distribute energy that they get from an energy provider. Normally, that energy provider gets energy from a mix of fossil fuels. By switching to green power, you’re essentially just switching energy providers — while keeping your utility company. That means it’s very little hassle for you, the consumer. You’ll still get a bill from your same utility company — the supplier will just be a clean-energy provider.

More than 600 out of the roughly 3,300 utilities companies in the U.S. offer this option. If yours is not one of them, you can still buy renewable energy certificates (RECs). Since all power distributed in the U.S. is connected to the grid, buying RECs ensures that your slice of the grid (how much energy you use) is powered by renewable energy.

The switch to green power varies by situation and locale, but the EPA has a lot of resources to get started.

Finally, although it’s more of a commitment, you can create or offset your own energy, through solar panel installations. There’s an upfront cost here, but solar panel costs have been falling, and the investment pays for itself over time through lower electricity bills (plus, solar panels can increase a home’s value).

Many of us feel powerless right now. But we must remember that individual actions — like switching to green energy — can collectively lead to change. On April 22, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, join us for the largest online mobilization in history.

The post Feeling powerless? Switch to green power appeared first on Earth Day.