Energy Conservation
It can begin simply by turning off a light switch as someone leaves a room or unplugging a device when not in use. From these small acts, the beginning seeds of energy conservation can be sown.
Energy conservation has become one of the most hotly debated subjects in the world. Old power plants are struggling to keep up, sometimes causing power shortages or “brown outs”, and new power plants are being built, but most of the new plants still use the same technology as their predecessors. Some have even been ‘repackaged’ to appear cleaner in respect to exhaust, but they still pollute the atmosphere and use a dwindling source of fuel. Still others argue that fields of petroleum at deeper levels are more than sufficient to supply the world with oil1. The only real hope of the world is to either perfect some of the newer, greener power generation techniques such as wind, solar, or geothermal, or invent some new as-of-yet undiscovered method. Until that time, energy conservation is not just a good idea, it is a necessity.
1. The Population Explosion and Power Usage
As the world’s population gets closer to the seven trillion mark (estimate as of April 2011 is 6,911,382,8582), the demand for power increases exponentially. The added strain on the generation facilities is causing rolling blackouts, or “brown outs”, in some cities. The situation is further strained in the summer time, when millions of people turn on their air conditioners to combat the hot weather. Modern electronic conveniences and luxuries also add to the problem. The power systems used in most countries of the world rely on coal, gas, oil, nuclear, and hydropower to turn generators and produce electricity. The problem with these sources, with the exception of hydropower, is that the fuel source is limited and most release carbons into the air as exhaust, some say raising the temperature of the planet. Building more of the same type of plant will only exhaust the supply sooner and
Energy conservation has become one of the most hotly debated subjects in the world. Old power plants are struggling to keep up, sometimes causing power shortages or “brown outs”, and new power plants are being built, but most of the new plants still use the same technology as their predecessors. Some have even been ‘repackaged’ to appear cleaner in respect to exhaust, but they still pollute the atmosphere and use a dwindling source of fuel. Still others argue that fields of petroleum at deeper levels are more than sufficient to supply the world with oil1. The only real hope of the world is to either perfect some of the newer, greener power generation techniques such as wind, solar, or geothermal, or invent some new as-of-yet undiscovered method. Until that time, energy conservation is not just a good idea, it is a necessity.
1. The Population Explosion and Power Usage
As the world’s population gets closer to the seven trillion mark (estimate as of April 2011 is 6,911,382,8582), the demand for power increases exponentially. The added strain on the generation facilities is causing rolling blackouts, or “brown outs”, in some cities. The situation is further strained in the summer time, when millions of people turn on their air conditioners to combat the hot weather. Modern electronic conveniences and luxuries also add to the problem. The power systems used in most countries of the world rely on coal, gas, oil, nuclear, and hydropower to turn generators and produce electricity. The problem with these sources, with the exception of hydropower, is that the fuel source is limited and most release carbons into the air as exhaust, some say raising the temperature of the planet. Building more of the same type of plant will only exhaust the supply sooner and
References: 1 Nicolescu, C., & Nicolescu, C. (2010). Pessimistic Theories on Fossil Fuels and Possible Alternative Energy Sources. Petroleum - Gas University of Ploiesti Bulletin, Technical Series, 62(3B), 49-56. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. 2 Population estimate of 6,911,382,858 as of April 2011, U.S. & World Population Clocks, U.S. Census bureau, http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html (obtained at 6:55 P.M., April 10, 2011.) 3 What Are Fuel Rods? Nuclear-News April 9, 2011, paragraph 1 http://nuclear-news.net/2011/04/09/facts-on-radioactive-spent-nuclear-fuel-rods/ 4 Wonders of the World Databank, Building BIG, Three Gorges Dam http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/three_gorges.html 5 López-Pujol, J., & Ming-Xun, R. (2009). Biodiversity and the Three Gorges Reservoir: a troubled marriage.Journal of Natural History, 43(43/44), 2765-2786. doi:10.1080/00222930903220010