{"id":9365,"date":"2025-05-01T11:48:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T15:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/?p=9365"},"modified":"2025-05-01T11:48:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T15:48:08","slug":"our-power-our-planet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/programs\/our-power-our-planet\/","title":{"rendered":"OUR POWER, OUR PLANET"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By EarthDay.org<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For 55 years, Earth Day has led the world in educating and mobilizing the public to take action to address critically important environmental issues. We are global advocates for the health of the planet, calling for the protection of our air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human health

April 22nd, 2025 will mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. 192 countries and over one billion people around the globe are expected to participate, demonstrating the longstanding convening power of Earth Day to bring people from all walks of life to work together for a better future.

Grassroots people-power has always been at the heart of Earth Day. It is the catalyst for paradigm-shifting change because when individuals unite with a common purpose, they can overcome even the most entrenched systems and industries.

As we approach this milestone, we celebrate a transformative reality: the solutions we need to create clean, inexpensive, and unlimited energy for the entire planet through renewable solar, wind and other technologies are within our reach.

This Earth Day 2025, let us commit to harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for all, let us commit to Renewable Energy Now

TRIPLE RENEWABLE GENERATION BY 2030<\/strong>

We are calling for renewable energy generation, globally, to be tripled by 2030.<\/strong> The production and use of renewable energy transcends economic systems, political borders and political parties, demonstrating a universal appeal.

CONSIDER THESE REMARKABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY FACTS<\/strong>

In 2023, the U.S. produced more solar power than ever before with California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Arizona leading the solar revolution. They are helping to produce the cheapest electricity in history.<\/a><\/strong>

In the United States, Texas\u2014long associated with oil production\u2014now leads the nation<\/a><\/strong> in wind energy generation

The U.S. has used its existing drilling capacity to become the world\u2019s leading producer<\/a><\/strong> of advanced geothermal energy.

California and Florida, polar opposites politically, are both at the forefront<\/a><\/strong> 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 the U.S.\u2019s generating capacity in the next few years

China<\/a><\/strong> and the U.S.<\/a><\/strong> (largely through the Inflation Reduction Act) are both making massive investments in renewable energy. China is currently leading the world in both wind and solar, with twice as much capacity under construction as the rest of the world combined in 2024

Uruguay has transformed its energy sector, moving from being dependent on oil imports to generating 98%<\/a><\/strong> of its electricity from renewable sources

India has set ambitious goals for renewable energy, aiming to achieve 50%<\/a><\/strong> of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.

Kenya<\/a><\/strong> is a leader in Africa, with geothermal power accounting for nearly half of its electricity generation. Geothermal<\/a><\/strong> can be beneficial for the electrical grid, as it puts less strain on it and can help mitigate blackouts. Geothermal also emits 97%<\/a><\/strong> less acid rain-causing compounds and 99% less carbon dioxide.

A third of all homes in Australia<\/a> use solar power.

In Brazil<\/a><\/strong> hydro-electric accounted for nearly 68% of its total electricity generation in 2023. In Italy hydro-electric accounts for 23% of the total electricity generation and is growing, and in Netherlands it accounts for 16%.

In Denmark, over 50%<\/a><\/strong> of the country\u2019s electricity is generated from wind turbines and by 2026, wind energy will power 30%<\/a><\/strong> of the electricity needs of Spain, 17%<\/a><\/strong> of the electricity needs of the Netherlands, and 23%<\/a><\/strong> of the electricity needs of Germany.

RENEWABLE ENERGY COSTS ARE PLUMMETING<\/strong>

Over the past decade, the cost of manufacturing solar panels has plummeted dramatically, making them into one of the most affordable, and often the cheapest, form of electricity. Solar module prices fell by up to 93% between 2010 and 2020.<\/a><\/strong> During the same period, the global weighted-average levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar PV projects fell by 85%.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF OPTING FOR CLEAN ENERGY<\/strong>

Renewable energy can spark a humanitarian revolution \u2013 for the first time in history, we have a pathway to providing virtually unlimited, low-cost energy to everyone.<\/strong>

The per capita electricity usage of 3.8 billion people does not reach the Modern Energy Minimum (MEM)<\/a><\/strong>, meaning such usage is under 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh)\u2013\u2013the threshold for mitigating poverty. Renewable energy can transform this situation, thus improving living standards and enhancing health outcomes.

Reducing air pollution caused from the burning of fossil fuels<\/a><\/strong> can significantly lower the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases<\/a><\/strong>, including asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Women<\/a><\/strong> are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution and water contamination with these threats linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian diseases, and complications with maternal health.

Decreased greenhouse gas emissions<\/a><\/strong> help mitigate the risks associated with climate change, such as heatwaves, floods, and the spread of infectious diseases.

Mental health<\/a><\/strong> can be improved by reducing the stress and anxiety linked to pollution, climate change, noise pollution, and environmental disasters.

Reducing water pollution<\/a><\/strong> and improving water quality can significantly lower the risk of waterborne diseases.

Lowering the health care costs<\/a><\/strong> associated with pollution-related diseases can ease the strain put on healthcare systems and reduce medical expenses

THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF EXPANDING RENEWABLE ENERGY<\/strong>

This profound and fast-moving transition to renewable energy isn\u2019t just an environmental necessity\u2014it\u2019s an economic revolution. It will drive innovation across industry, transportation, and agriculture, spurring more technological advancements and creating millions of new jobs and opportunities, globally.<\/strong>

According to the 13th National Solar Jobs Census released in 2022<\/a>, there are 263,883 solar energy workers across the U.S, working to manufacture, install, distribute, and carry out maintenance, marking a 3.5% growth in solar jobs compared to 2021.

Renewable energy represents a huge economic opportunity and will create<\/strong> 14 million new jobs<\/a><\/strong> globally. In 2023, renewable energy, worldwide, was worth $1.21 trillion<\/a><\/strong> and is projected to grow 17.2% annually from 2024 to 2030.

Investments in clean energy through the Inflation Reduction Act can collectively save U.S families $27-$38 billion<\/a>, between 2022 and 2030.

RENEWABLE ENERGY REDUCES GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS<\/strong>

\u201cRenewable energy sources<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 which are available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth \u2013 are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gasses or pollutants into the air.\u201d

Switching to renewable energy sources is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions because renewables generate electricity without producing carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas. In contrast, fossil fuels are major emitters of greenhouse gases and thus are primary contributors to global warming. According to the U.S Energy Information Administration<\/a> in 2023, petroleum accounted for roughly 38% of U.S. energy consumption and was responsible for 47% of U.S energy-related CO2 emissions. Natural gas accounted for 36% of energy use and contributed to 37% of these emissions. Coal accounted for around 9% of energy consumption and 16% of energy-related CO2 emissions.

THE POWER OF EARTH DAY MOVEMENT IS UNSTOPPABLE<\/strong>

The strength of this movement lies in its grassroots nature, and our power as individuals. It\u2019s the collective voice of concerned citizens that pushes governments and corporations to make bold commitments and take decisive action.<\/strong> By engaging in community initiatives, participating in local and national elections with renewable energy in mind, and making sustainable choices in daily life, individuals are the catalysts for change. This people-powered revolution demonstrates that when we unite our voices and actions, we can overcome even the most recalcitrant systems and create a cleaner, more equitable energy future for all.

This Earth Day 2025, let us commit to harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for us all. Support and adopt the rapid transition to renewable energy sources now, be it solar, wind, hydro-electric, tidal or geothermal.<\/strong>

From Governments, to global industry and local businesses, from unions, to schools, religious leaders, to civil society, families and individuals. Whether you are a town mayor, a trade union boss, a CEO, a banker, an artist, farmer, fisherman, teacher, or firefighter \u2013 the true power of this revolution lies in the hands of individuals like you. People power is the driving force behind this transformation.<\/strong>

In 2025, as EARTHDAY.ORG turns 55, join us as we embrace a powerful, renewable future. It\u2019s Our Power, it\u2019s Our Planet.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By EarthDay.org For 55 years, Earth Day has led the world in educating and mobilizing the public to take action to address critically important environmental issues. We are global advocates for the health of the planet, calling for the protection of our air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human health April 22nd, 2025 will mark […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11427,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-programs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9365","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11427"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9365"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9365\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9367,"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9365\/revisions\/9367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainablelawrence.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}