I tend to focus on the benefits of zero-carbon generation in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gasses. However, there is another major benefit: air quality. Zero-carbon generation includes nuclear, large hydroelectric generation and renewables. The alternative is generation that emits greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxides (NOx) and sulfuric oxides (SOx). I don’t believe that CO2 in the volumes emitted by electric utility generation is detrimental to human health, the other gasses definitely are.
Lawrence Berkeley National Labs (LBNL) recently published a report that estimated both the air quality and climate benefits of wind and solar energy. This paper is a summary of that report.
