During the course of the last elections both in Canada and the USA, there was a substantial amount of talk surrounding energy: renewable energy, green energy, and fossil fuel emissions. There was by no means any shortage of terms but there was a shortage of definitions. It’s pretty obvious that energy involves the way that things are powered, however a lot of people may be unsure as to what green energy is. Today, I will look define green energy and outline the importance of it to our future.
What are fossil fuels?
Traditionally, we have powered cars, planes, plants and a host of other things by burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are natural resources that have been produced over millions of years that are deposited beneath the Earth’s crust. If you ask me, this is where it should stay, underground. These resources are produced under specific physical conditions and millions of years. Estimations by the Energy Information Organization in 2007 placed world wide energy dependence on fossil fuels at just over 84 percent. There are three major fossil fuels that combine to constitute this percentage: petroleum; natural gas; and coal.
Why we can need to reduce our fossil fuel consumption?
There are two suggested explanations as to why the world can’t continue to proceed on its current path of burning fossil fuels. First, the rate of fossil fuel consumption has begun to exceed nature’s ability to restore what has been depleted. As previously mentioned, vast amounts of time are required for the natural production of fossil fuels.
The second reason is the effects that carbon monoxide which is the byproduct of burning fossil fuels has on the environment. It’s believed that the release of carbon monoxide as a result of fossil fuel consumption is creating a green house effect thus precipitating adverse changes to Earth’s atmosphere.
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is obtained from alternative energy sources powered by natural events that cannot be depleted by their use. Solar, wind and water are three major renewable energy sources that could drastically limit mankind’s dependence of fossil fuels.
The power of the wind is harnessed through wind mills transforming its movements into electricity that can be used as both clean and renewable energy. Solar power is captured through solar panels transferring the sun’s radiation into electricity to power homes, schools, cars and so much more. Finally, falling and flowing water has been used as a source of power by employing dams that produce electricity from the movement of water. If you ask me, stick to the first two mentioned. Dams, even though they produce clean energy, have a negative effect on the ecosystems in the area. Many animals lose their homes and food supply due to the flooding that occurs when a dam is put in place.
Why renewable energy?
The goal of these alternative means of energy is to service the world’s demand for power while preserving Earth’s natural resources. Secondly, alternative energy, or green energy as its also known, is aimed at reducing the level of carbon monoxide that is being released into the atmosphere thus protecting the environment. Basically, alternative energy is founded on the concept of preservation; Preserving Earth’s atmosphere for a better quality of life and preserving Earth’s resources for future generations. The push for alternative energy doesn’t necessarily mean the end to fossil fuels usage but it does seek to minimize fossil fuel depletion and it’s adverse affects.
So, are you going to increase your use of green energy? What kind of changes in your life have you made so far?