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.
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 ...
Environmental Impacts of Wind Power - Union of Concerned …
Mar 5, 2013 · A recent National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) review of peer-reviewed research found evidence of bird and bat deaths from collisions with wind turbines and due to changes in air pressure caused by the spinning turbines, as well as from habitat disruption. The NWCC concluded that these impacts are relatively low and do not pose a threat ...
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.
Coal and Air Pollution | Union of Concerned Scientists
Jul 28, 2008 · This air pollution includes: Mercury: Coal plants are responsible for 42 percent of US mercury emissions, a toxic heavy metal that can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, and is a serious threat to the child development. Just 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat.
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 ...
Environmental Impacts of Solar Power - Union of Concerned …
Mar 5, 2013 · Most estimates of life-cycle emissions for photovoltaic systems are between 0.07 and 0.18 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour. Most estimates for concentrating solar power range from 0.08 to 0.2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour. In both cases, this is far less than the lifecycle emission rates for natural ...
Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Energy - Union of …
Mar 5, 2013 · Hydrothermal plants are sited on geological “hot spots," which tend to have higher levels of earthquake risk. There is evidence that hydrothermal plants can lead to an even greater earthquake frequency [9]. Enhanced geothermal systems (hot dry rock) can also increase the risk of small earthquakes. In this process, water is pumped at high ...
How is Electricity Measured? | Union of Concerned Scientists
Jul 14, 2008 · Watts are a measurement of power, describing the rate at which electricity is being used at a specific moment. For example, a 15-watt LED light bulb draws 15 watts of electricity at any moment when turned on. Watt-hours are a measurement of energy, describing the total amount of electricity used over time. Watt-hours are a combination of how fast the electricity is used (watts) and the length ...
Environmental Impacts of Hydroelectric Power
Mar 5, 2013 · Global warming emissions are produced during the installation and dismantling of hydroelectric power plants, but recent research suggests that emissions during a facility’s operation can also be significant. Such emissions vary greatly depending on the size of the reservoir and the nature of the land that was flooded by the reservoir.