Health Benefits of Renewable Energy

According to a 2009 American Lung Association report, 6 of every 10 Americans live in counties where ozone or particle pollution has reached dangerous levels. In fact, more than half of Texas residents live in areas that do not meet federal ozone standards. In 2009, Houston was ranked as the 5^th most polluted city in the US for Ozone pollution, with the Dallas/Ft. Worth area is not far behind as 7^th most polluted.

Among other reasons, the negative health impacts of air pollution call on us as people of faith to take action to adopt clean, renewable energy.

There is a growing concern about the health effects of air pollution on God’s creation. We were instructed by God to “protect creation” (Genesis 2:15) and consider the impact of human activity “for future generations” (Gen 9:12).

The increased risk of lung cancer, dangerous asthma attacks, and other respiratory ailments associated with air pollution, as well as the vast potential health issues related to global climate change make reducing air pollution vital to protecting God’s creation.

The American Lung Association estimates that the human health costs of outdoor air pollution ranges from $14 billion to $55 billion annually. Each year, air pollution claims 70,000 lives in the United States, and 200,000 to 500,000 lives worldwide.

Switching to renewable power can make a difference:

• An EPA report to congress estimates that proper implementation of the Clean Air Act could provide the United States with a projected $1,100 billion in health benefits due to avoided illnesses and death in 2010.

• Coal-burning power plants are the biggest emitters of fine-particulate pollutants – associated with increased risks of lung cancer and respiratory damage.

• Most of these pollutants are also greenhouse gases that have proven to be associated with dangerous levels of global climate change. The World Health Organization predicts that climate change will lead to large downturns in food security, access to safe drinking water, access to secure shelter, and other critical social conditions. Many researchers and academics have thus named climate change this century's biggest threat to human health. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by converting to renewable energy sources is the biggest step we can take towards addressing climate change and averting these threats.

Switching to renewable energy has tremendous potential to lower pollution levels and save lives. It is our obligation to our loved ones, our neighbors and the generations to come.