Energy Conservation Tips

Energy conservation is an important aspect of life that everyone needs to address. Nonrenewable energy resources, at the current rate of usage, will last another hundred years or so, and renewable resources are not at an adequate level of development to replace our current energy supplies. Conserving energy will also help the environment by lessening the amount of pollution as well as decreasing the immediate demand for natural resources, which will stop the unnecessary destruction of land in order to access these raw materials. Energy conservation and lessening the harm done to the environment can be done by everyone, from government legislations and policies, to private individuals being more energy efficient. For instance, carpooling and slower driving, easy upgrades inside the house (United States Department of Energy, 2008), and the conversion of household power to solar energy can make a big difference. Energy conservation is an aspect that everyone needs to understand, and implement, within daily routines. As the human population grows, this issue will become even more important to the environment as well as insuring that future generations have access to adequate amounts of energy sources.

The difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources is simple, but important. Nonrenewable resources, such as fossil fuels, are not or are very slowly replaced naturally within the environment (Cpast, 2003). Renewable resources, on the other hand, come from sources that will never run out, such as wind, water, and the sun (Natsource, 2008). The majority of energy consumed in the United States today is nonrenewable, so steps need to be taken by everybody to ensure a lasting future that includes reliable energy sources.

Energy conservation is easy and can be accomplished by anybody. Changes within the house are the best way to effectively lower energy consumption, while lessening the individual impact on the environment. The use of energy saving light bulbs is the first step that should be taken. These light bulbs are 80 % more efficient than regular bulbs. One bulb can reduce carbon pollution by 1300 pounds and sulfur dioxide by 26 pounds (Energy Refuge, 2007). Another simple step is to turn of all unnecessary lights, appliances, fans, televisions, radios, etc., when they are not in use. This includes unplugging the objects that have been labeled as "vampires", such as phone charges, appliances with fancy lights and displays, and any other such object (President Bush, 2001). Energy saving appliances is another effective way to conserve power and lessen the environmental impact of your home. Since big appliances make up 20 percent of your overall energy usage, switching to an energy saving product can cause big drops in yearly power usage, as well as lowering the environmental impacts from these household appliances (U.S. Department of Energy, 2008).

Carpooling and slower driving saves fuel consumption while lessening pollution. Carpooling allows groups of people to rotate driving duties, which cuts down on the number of vehicles on the roads. Slower driving reduces fuel consumption because exhaust fumes are less due to lower compression rates.

The biggest step that homeowners can do to conserve energy and reduce pollution is by converting current energy supplies to solar power. Small plates can be installed on the home that converts sunlight into usable energy, such as heating water. The best scenario would be to convert the entire house to run off of solar panels. This eliminates natural gas usage, lessens pollution, and allows the homeowner to receive a check from the utility company.

Government efforts to improve energy conservation should be to pass legislation that makes Americans more aware of options, and makes these options required. Along with that, they can continue to push companies to produce fuel efficient vehicles, energy saving appliances, and create more sustainable energy sources.

Energy conservation is an issue that we all must address. Whether it is the private individual making changes, government regulations, new innovations, carpooling, or slower driving, we all need to do our part. As Michael Jackson stated in his world famous song, Heal The World, we need to "make a better place for you and me" (Jackson, 1991). Everybody can help by taking one step at a time.

References:

Cpast Definition: Non-renewable Resources Cpast
Energy Refuge Energy Saving Light Bulbs Energy Refuge
Michael Jackson Heal The World Video Metacafe
Natsource Environmental Sciences Natsource
President Bush White House Press Release Whitehouse.gov
United States Department of Energy Consumers Energy.gov