Clean Energy is Safe Energy
Clean energy is safer and healthier for our homes and communities.
Our modern lives demand a lot of energy. From powering our homes and transportation to supporting industries and infrastructure, energy keeps everything running. The bad news is that generating this energy also causes pollution that harms the planet and our health. The good news? We don’t have to do it the same way anymore. We now have affordable clean energy options that are safer and healthier.
What is Clean Energy?
Clean energy is energy that comes from sources like solar, wind, hydroelectricity, geothermal, nuclear, and biomass. Unlike fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—clean energy sources don’t pollute the air we breathe or the water we drink, making them a much safer option for our homes, communities, and businesses.
The Health Benefits of Clean Energy
Fossil fuels don’t just overheat the planet—they’re also quietly wreaking havoc on our health. Burning them releases pollution that kills thousands of Americans each year, triggering strokes, heart attacks, and other diseases. Globally, air pollution is linked to 6.7 million premature deaths every year. The BMJ estimates that 5.13 million of those deaths are due to carbon pollution found in both ambient outdoor air and indoors through our fossil fuel-powered appliances.
So it’s no question that switching to clean energy won’t just be good for the environment—it would be a lifesaver. We can breathe cleaner air in our homes, in our buildings, and in our communities. We can better protect people who live near extraction sites and refineries from suffering the effects of contaminated air and water which kills up to 100,000 Americans every year And, because clean energy will reduce the pace and severity of climate change, we will protect Americans from the negative health impacts of severe weather disasters and extreme heat.
Why Clean Energy is Safe Energy
It does take energy to manufacture clean energy technology like solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries. However, since these sources emit only a small fraction of the carbon pollution produced by burning oil, coal, and gas, they quickly become a better choice once they are operating. Once the setup is done, it’s clean, safe energy all the way.
When we say clean energy is safe, we’re not just talking about less carbon pollution; we’re talking about fewer disasters. Think about it: Fossil fuels need to be drilled, mined, and transported—risky business that often ends in catastrophe. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill released millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, severely impacting marine ecosystems and local economies. Wind turbines and solar panels, on the other hand, don’t require hazardous materials to be shipped across the planet. Electric vehicle batteries can sometimes overheat, but they catch fire much less often than gasoline-fueled cars.
Mining accidents are another grim reality of fossil fuel extraction. In the same year as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 29 miners lost their lives in the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion. Clean energy requires much less extraction of natural resources because once the solar panel or wind turbine or battery is made, it’s done, and can be recycled at the end of its life. That’s very different from fossil fuels, which are extracted, transported, and then burned in an endless cycle.
What Safety Looks Like With Clean Energy
Safety isn’t just about avoiding disasters; it’s about creating a better future with less risks to our well-being. Clean energy means:
✅ Cleaner air and water: No more oil spills or polluted drinking water from fracking. Just healthier communities.
✅ A stable climate: Less pollution means fewer extreme weather events like wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts.
✅ Safer jobs: Clean energy creates employment opportunities without putting workers in harm’s way like coal mining or oil drilling does.
The Increasing Affordability of Clean Energy and its Availability Today
Clean energy isn’t just safer—it’s more affordable than ever. Over the past decade, solar and wind power costs have dropped by more than 80%. That means more families and businesses can make the switch without breaking the bank. Governments are sweetening the deal with incentives, and renewables are outcompeting fossil fuels on price in many markets. Globally, countries like China, India, and the U.S. are scaling up their clean energy game. The momentum is unstoppable.
Here’s what you can do right now:
✅ Talk to your friends and family about climate change
✅ Electrify your home with clean energy
✅ Join us to advocate for policy solutions that will stop the pollution that’s overheating the planet