Seize the Moment for Renewable Energy!
Solar, Wind, and Geothermal Are:
Safe for Air, Water, and Soil
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Cheaper and More Reliable
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The Right Thing To Do
Climate-fueled disasters cost the US $165 Billion in 2022, not to mention the cost in lives.
MICHIGAN has a chance to become stronger through ENERGY INDEPENDENCE. Energy produced from renewable sources such as sunlight (solar), wind, the movement of water (hydroelectric), and geothermal heat is less expensive and benefits people, wildlife and the planet in general. Renewable energy sources create jobs, give our state more money for community needs such as schools, and protect our Great Lakes.
Currently however, all of this is at risk in our state. There is a fossil fuel funded campaign in rural parts of Michigan trying to convince people that renewables are dangerous and that they will destroy the rural way of life. In township after township, and in entire counties, arbitrary zoning regulations now make it virtually impossible to build solar installations or erect wind turbines.
This website’s main focus is answering common questions and concerns about SOLAR ENERGY since this is the fastest growing sector of the renewable market, especially in Michigan. First, it’s important to have a general understanding of the urgent need for all renewables.
The Costs of Climate Change
Climate-fueled disasters cost the US $165 Billion in 2022, not to mention the cost in lives. The graph below shows the inflation-adjusted increase in billion-dollar disasters since 1980.
The Benefits of Addressing Climate Change
Keep Drinking Water Sources Clean
Most rural areas depend on wells for their daily water use. The groundwater supplying these wells will be affected by a warming and disrupted climate. Big runoffs following big dry spells can affect groundwater and can make people sick. “More intense precipitation events can lead to increased transport of pathogens that cause gastrointestinal illness into drinking-water sources. This puts populations that rely on untreated groundwater (such as smaller, rural communities) at increased risk of disease, especially following large rainfall events”.1
Keep Property Safe from Fires
There are currently extensive, recurring fires in communities in the west and north. Areas dry out in extensive droughts and drenching rains. There will come a point where insurance companies will refuse to insure homes in some areas.
Prevent Flooding
Renewables will keep property safe from rising seas. Parts of Miami are starting to flood even without rainfall, and will become uninhabitable in the future.2 There are 14 major coastal cities in the United States that could disappear due to increasing sea level rise, including New York City.3
Address the Global Food Crisis
Renewables will help address the global food crisis. The food shortage from the climate crisis is causing increased challenges to food production due to increased droughts and floods. The climate crisis is also causing an increase in pests that attack the crops. According to UN News, many refugees who show up at the US/Mexico border are fleeing the effects of hurricanes and other climate disasters in Central America. Here in the US, California produces most of our fruits and vegetables, yet farms are left unplanted due to prolonged drought.
Help Farmers with Crop Storage
Michigan’s agriculture is having many of the same problems identified around the country and the world. In the past, Michigan’s cool weather was an advantage to keeping harvested crops fresh. Michigan farmers now have crop storage problems due to global warming (freep.com). However, our farmers are now having to buy and run expensive equipment to keep their harvested crops from going bad.
Overall, replacing current, climate disrupting energy practices with clean energy alternatives is the best way to protect the quality of our soil, water and air.
Solar installations are an important way forward. Stable property values, stable income and better storage practices for farmers, clean drinking water and manageable property taxes can become a reality if we act NOW.
There are many factors that will be affected by the climate crisis and many of them will affect the value of property as well as the quality of life on Earth.