If you’ve been paying any attention at all in the last decade, you know that our planet is in trouble. Not only is the human race depleting many of the natural resources that we can’t get back, but we’re also leaving a lot of pollution in the process. We’re not doing it on purpose, though. As the human race advances, we come up with new technology that improves our lives. As our lives improve though, the health of our planet suffers.

The reason our planet suffers is outdated manufacturing techniques for many of the products we purchase today. Gasoline has been a big topic in recent years because of rising prices. Manufacturers are working to create new ways to power our vehicles to decrease emissions. Gasoline is also made from oil, which is a rapidly depleting fossil fuel. Gasoline is the most recognized guzzler of our non-renewable resources, but it’s far from the only one.

Electricity is damaging our planet’s resources at an alarming rate as well. Large power plants burn coal, natural gas, or oil in the process of generating electricity. They release toxic chemicals, greenhouse gases, and intense heat into our atmosphere. The difference between cars and electricity is that we already have an alternative to the damaging effects of fossil fuel power plants.

Green energy sources such as sun, wind, and water give us an alternative to the pollution from power plants. Solar panels can use energy from the sun to generate electricity, and it’s a completely renewable resource. Wind is another way electricity can be generated. Large wind turbines use the force of wind to turn the turbine, generating electricity. Hydropower works much the same way. When water is flowing very fast, it carries energy. Hydropower uses the force of that water to turn the blades of the turbine to generate electricity.

All of these forms of green energy work on the same basic principals as fossil fuel power plants. The only difference is the force that moves the blades of the turbine, and the amount of pollution that is caused. Green energy solutions don’t require any fossil fuels, and they don’t pollute our environment. If everyone were to switch to green energy solutions, not only would we be conserving non-renewable resources, we would also make big steps toward cleaner air, and a stronger atmosphere.

Electricity is something we’ve come to depend on. As our dependency has increased, so has our use of fossil fuels, and our damage to the planet. Green energy solutions are a better choice in every way. We still get the convenience of electricity, but with the promise of a cleaner future.