How Energy Conservation Can Help Save the World
Energy efficiency is a worthy answer to the question of how to handle multiple environmental issues. To be energy efficient means getting the most productivity from every unit of energy, while eliminating energy waste. To do this, one must strive to use advanced state-of-the art technologies in order to reduce energy use, without the need to have to remember to do it daily on your own. When using the newest appliances and electronics, as well as a combination of the “common sense” energy practices such as turning off lights, televisions, computers, etc when not being used, the benefits are enhanced. Conserving energy protects the environment, enhances the economy and therefore can promote national security. A key in promoting conservative action is in implementing educational programs worldwide. Education can inform people of the wide spectrum of environmental issues as well as change attitudes and empower them to look at issues at a local level, and develop practical solutions.
The term “conservation” can be suggestive of a mode of behavior that requires an individual to give up personal comforts. Turning down the thermostat, walking instead of driving, and taking short showers is viewed as a sacrifice by some. Conservation should not be looked at as an inconvenience, but instead as a way of smart living. With the use of today’s energy efficient technology, it is easier than ever before to incorporate conservation into daily life. High-efficiency furnaces, hybrid vehicles, energy management control systems, lighting sensors are some examples. If there is a need to commute an hour to work in a community where there is no public transportation, an individual can feel free to avoid the car pools and just drive a gas/electric hybrid automobile or buy an auto with the best possible gas mileage. When a home happens to be a 4,000 square foot castle just make sure that the walls are insulated well and that the heating and cooling system has an aggressive energy-efficiency rating.
It is estimated that over the next 20 years much of the expected increase in energy needs will be met by coal-based electric generation, with another feasible option being nuclear power, which raises waste management worries. Increase of importation of energy from other countries can negatively affect the United States trade balance and can cause a serious national security risk. The development of new technologies can take several years before they are readily available to all, so it is imperative that conservation is a priority.
Conservation by the use of energy efficient improvement is the most inexpensive, fastest and safest way to extend the energy supplies, thus the public should insist on this approach by allowing Congress to address the energy dilemma aggressively. Governments are critical to conservation, yet they sometimes face huge burdens when merging conservation issues with financial limits and political realities. Law makers should continue to be encouraged to put policies in place that will place limits of size of automobiles, and American auto makers are introducing new hybrids each year. The IRS qualifies several models of hybrid autos for income tax deductions, which are positive steps in the right direction for reinforcing the importance of conservation.
Obviously, the problems of conservation are intricate and ever-changing challenges that involve politics, economics and cultures. Political leaders and business leaders worldwide will take the lead in initiating an active vision for research, policy advocacy, education, and communication that will enable public and private partnerships to collaborate with strategies to optimize renewable resources and provide continuing growth in technology to provide energy efficiency. The U.S. has significantly impacted the global conservation efforts and is the largest contributor of funding internationally. Working together globally, in the spirit of protecting the greatest resource this great planet Earth will influence future generations to come.
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