To understand this predicament, we need to be aware of a few terms like Earthshine.
Earth Shine refers to the gentle glimmer of light seen on the dark side of the moon. It is due to the reflection of sunlight from the surface of the Earth which in turn casts on the moon. Scientists study Earthshine to calculate how much sunlight can the Earth reflect, or in other words, to compute the Earth’s albedo.
Over the last two decades, researchers have observed that the Earth’s reflective potential is changing which is induced by Climate Change. For instance, ice and snow play a vital role in the reflection of sunlight, but as a result of global warming, glaciers and snowpacks are thinning out which affects the Earth’s albedo.
These changes in the earth’s climate can also make winters darker, which is an obstacle all on its own. As Earth reflects less sunlight into space, there is less light scattering around, especially during winters when the sun is already low. Increased cloud cover from a warming climate can block even more sunlight which makes winter dimmer.
It’s surprising to consider that climate change affects us psychologically as well. Reduced daylight can significantly impact mental health and provoke conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder commonly known as seasonal blues as sunlight plays a key role in regulating chemicals in the brain linked to mood changes. According to Kari Leibowitz, an expert on improving mental health, there are more constructive ways to deal with low-light winters. For starters, we can acknowledge the opportunities of gloomy winters and take advantage. For instance, we can take time to improve our productivity indoors or we can spend some time to rest and self-reflect. There are several ways to make the most of moderately gloomy months. Should this method be unsuitable for some, places like Scandinavia and Canada can help you manage the blistering cold. People in such places like to try dim lighting indoors or even embrace the darkness from the strategies applied by Edmonton City. What they do is host winter festivals with a fun twist added to things available only in winter such as snow or even ice. These darker winters could have cascading effects on ecosystems, human activity and energy usage during winter months.
In addition, climate change has proven to be a very serious issue faced by the human race and the use of fossil fuels is simply pouring fuel on the fire. It took some time, but many nations are now starting to realize the dangers of fossil fuels and are shifting to a more augmented source of energy, Renewable Energy. It has started to replace fossil fuels exponentially.
Renewable energy is a product of solar and wind power. The use of renewable energy has helped several countries to lose their carbon footprint. But what did push these nations toward renewable energy?
The previous years have been formidable for certain countries as the world economy was inching toward bankruptcy and the Russia-Ukraine war had made things worse. And the climate change crisis was an added burden to an already struggling ecosystem. That is mainly the reason renewable energy has taken over to help divert the ongoing conflict.
The goal is not to stop the world from using fossil fuels but to present them with a more suited and efficient energy source. A source which is budget-friendly, durable and abundant. It is obvious that to use solar energy, you must have set up solar panels which are not as expensive as they sound. Solar panels are tangible assets, meaning they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. They are easy to install and require minimum effort to maintain. Solar panels hold economic as well as individual benefits. They have the potential to save millions for their country’s economy.
What good does solar do in Pakistan?
Pakistan is one of the most beneficial for solar investment due to its positioning close to the equator. Its hot sunny summers and long days create the perfect conditions for solar energy. However, the Pakistani government is not seeing its potential and the citizens continue to face problems like load shedding, inflation etc. There are pros and cons of solar panels:
- Solar panels are a long-term investment which in turn generates profit for an adequate amount of time.
- We no longer are dependent on expensive electricity and that helps decrease our bills
- The absence of burning fossil fuels has a positive impact on the environment.
- Renewable energy sources like the sun are ever-lasting. Unlike fossil fuels, they do not get depleted upon use.
- The property’s value increases by a staggering 4%.
Pakistan is destined to see golden days ahead, provided it reaches 9.77 MW in solar production by 2028. The government assures the use of solar to generate 30% of the country’s power by the year 2030. Despite all this, many people ask, Are solar panels affecting the planet? Well, no. There’s a reason they’re called a clean energy source, it’s because they are! Solar panels do not harness greenhouse gases or any harmful substance for that matter. Solar panels help clean the surrounding air and are recyclable.