The Unseen Costs of Energy Use

When we think about energy use, and the consequences that inevitably result, we

typically think of global warming. Fossil fuel use is a well-known culprit of greenhouse gas

emissions and even more environmentally friendly options, such as electricity, have some sort of

pollutant release. The focus makes sense, given the enormity of issues that can result from the

greenhouse effect, however, emissions are not the only cost that can be brought on by use of

energy. Sometimes concealed behind the pressing issue of rising world temperatures, there are

other still malignant costs to using energy.

The issues brought on by energy use depend mainly on the energy source, but

nonetheless, they amount to quite a heavy financial loss for the United States. As reported on

Resources for the Future, in 2005 these costs equaled out to $120 billion (Cropper). This

enormous amount did not include the costs of greenhouse gases nor the injury to ecosystems,

which can be hard to measure, but carry a heavy cost as well. This may be shocking, but it

demonstrates the alarming monetary blow of using energy.

Moreover, some of the areas affected can be surprising on their own. For example, coal is

the most popular energy source used and, unfortunately, also carries the heaviest cost. The

burning of coal creates issues such as effects on human health, crop yields, and building

materials. A heartbreaking result of the health problem is premature mortality, as well as other

health issues such as lung and breathing dilemmas (such as chronic bronchitis). Mentioned in

Forbes, the overall health costs due to energy consumption would add an additional 14 to 35

cents per kilowatt-hour to the costs of electricity if considered in the overall value (Gerdes).

In the US National of Medicine National Institutes of Health (PMC) revealed that of the

previously mentioned $120 billion dollar cost, a price they mention as being a fairly humble
estimate, fifty-two percent of the damages developed from health-related hardship from the

combustion of coal for electricity (Auffhammer).

Evidently, the health costs imposed on the public due to use of coal are colossal and

terribly injurious, however, it is not the only energy source that comes at a price. There is good

news; energy obtained from sources that are fired by natural gas do not cause anywhere near the

amount of damage that coal plants create. The price tag on these less costly plants, in terms of

hidden costs, is estimated at $740 million for 2005; this from the same study that added up the

total costs in the billions. Electricity, for instance, has much lower hidden costs than coal.

Much of the demand for energy, and the cause for these costs, comes from vehicle use.

Alone, highway vehicles accounted for $56 billion in damages that were not related to global

warming. There is more good news as well; with increasing innovation in technology, vehicles

and machinery continue to improve energy-saving. Per unit, this results in less hidden costs with

time.

There is no doubt that humanity requires energy to flourish, and it could even be said that

it would not survive without it; our food, medical, and even housing needs are immense and

ever-growing. To produce them on the scale that our large population requires, we need energy

to power the technology and machinery that we utilize to meet these needs. Thus, despite the

huge hidden costs that are born through energy use, we cannot currently avoid relying on it.

Particularly, transportation has become a need for many people. As mentioned, vehicles

are responsible for much of the disturbance, so this can be a bit troubling. Often, there is a focus

on legislation to improve the consequences of energy use, but there may also be benefit in

scrutinizing personal choice. It would, for example, be immensely helpful if households that can
afford it would invest in pollutant-preventative technology; this can be cars and/or other

household items. For those who dont have the money to do so, even small choices may be

helpful; for instance, if the situation allows for it, simply choosing to walk to a destination versus

driving to it may reduce energy consumption.

In essence, even when the concern is not entirely environmental, energy-use can have a

hugely negative impact. Almost as much as it provides a benefit to society. The health costs are

particularly taxing on the population. Vehicles, a property of most households, are responsible

for much of the energy demand and use. This can make it possible for personal choices to make a

difference in the amount of damage caused. Overall, a concern for the environment can lead to

improvements in health and quality of living, as demonstrated by the effects of inefficient fuel

use compared to newer, less damaging technology.

 Works Cited

Auffhammer, Maximillian. Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy

Production and Use. NCBI, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3060022/.

Cropper, Maureen L. The Hidden Costs of Producing and Consuming Energy. RFF, Resources

for the future, 29 Jan. 2010, www.rff.org/blog/2010/hidden-costs-producing-and-consuming-

energy.

Gerdes, Justin. How Much Do Health Impacts From Fossil Fuel Electricity Cost The U.S.

Economy? Forbes, 8 Apr. 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/justingerdes/2013/04/08/how-much-do-

health-impacts-from-fossil-fuel-electricity-cost-the-u-s-economy/#3c7f4e0ac679.