Just as daily news post said that the world is reaching its energy crisis, we need to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy resources and generate renewable energy on a large scale. Contrary to popular belief, making your home greener couldn’t be easier. From neighborhood supermarkets now offering a selection of organic produce and products with recyclable packaging to many green energy providers providing rates that are more than acceptable to the typical homeowner, how hard can it be?
Leaving lights on for hours to keep appliances on, are you aware that a large amount of energy is one of the biggest causes of environmental damage? Although other renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly popular, the vast majority of homes still use petrol and gas, the generation of which causes significant damage to the environment. If you use these conventional methods in your home, keep this simple mathematical equation in mind; the less you use, the less you generate, and in turn, the environment suffers.
Wind Energy
Solar Electricity
Solar electricity is the most readily available type of energy, so we should use it more widely. And as technology advances, households are provided with many ways to harness the power of sunlight. Solar electric and heating systems are equally economical, excellent for the environment, require little maintenance, and help you save money on your utility bills. Solar cookers are an extremely healthy way to cook meals because they cook food at a low temperature, preserving minerals and vitamins. They are also quite portable, which makes them suitable for travelers and campers.
Hydropower
Originally, hydroelectric or hydropower was used industrially to power waterfalls and rivers and drive water wheels, which then transported water for irrigation or bread milling. Today, hydropower is used in dams to generate electricity for households and businesses. Hydropower is generated on a large scale by passing dammed water through reservoirs that turn a dynamo as it circulates. The ideal example of hydropower is the Hoover Dam, built to generate electricity for Las Vegas.
Indeed, hydropower is very popular today, making more than 90% of the world’s energy renewable. There are some social and environmental concerns about building dams for hydropower because it floods whole communities and towns. Also, the walls prevent certain species of fish from swimming upstream to spawn.
Geothermal
Geothermal electricity is often generated in regions with ongoing volcanic activity, where the magma is relatively close to the surface. One such place is Iceland, where much of the power is generated by underground geysers. Its generating capacity is 77,000 megawatts. Water from waterfalls and rivers flows through the turbines to generate energy. Although this technology does not cause pollution, it can harm marine life as it can alter water quality. Apart from this, hydropower can be exceptionally expensive and is likely to take a long time to install.
Biomass
The International Energy Agency reports that 11% of the planet’s renewable energy comes from biomass. The technology generates 7,000 megawatts of renewable energy. Biomass comes from the industrial processing of forest and wood products. Switching to greener alternatives is not as unthinkable and possibly expensive as it used to be, we could all easily get some adjustments now that can have a positive impact on the environment. Because of this, many around the world are proud to shout about the eco-friendly changes they have made, from typical homeowners to celebrities.
