Do you still remember the first time you learned about the phrase “save Mother Earth”? Since our younger years, we were taught about conservation and recycling natural resources; well, the same goes for our energy resources.
There are now numerous movements and campaigns that seek to protect Mother nature to produce more sustainable resources for our generation and the generations to come.
Exercising sustainable energy in our household is beautiful and encouraging. It brings us closer to our goal of saving Mother Earth. Let us learn more about it below.
What is Renewable Energy?
The terms renewable energy, green energy, and clean energy are almost exchangeable, yet they differ slightly.
Renewable energy is energy from natural resources such as wind and sun. It can be replenished and not ultimately depleted in theory.
It is comparable to green energy, which is also from natural resources and is renewable. There is a fine line between renewable energy and green energy; all green energy is renewable, but not all renewable energy is green.
Lastly, clean energy is produced and does not cause any pollution to the atmosphere. Some examples of clean energy are electricity, wind, hydro, and the likes.
Renewable Energy in Modern Times
We have an abundant number of natural resources to produce renewable energy. Here are some types of renewable energy.
Solar Energy
Solar energy may be the most well-known and available source we have. The sun shines during the daytime, and with the use of solar panels, we can even use its power at nighttime.
Solar panels are readily accessible. Green leaders encourage its use in huge buildings and malls to reduce energy bill costs and sustain more at a lesser expense.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is more abundant in places that are in higher altitudes and offshore. The power is produced through wind turbines that are mostly used in farms and rural places.
Hydro Energy
The energy produced from water is called hydroelectric power. It is energy from large waves and the rushing of water with the use of turbines. Mega dams also provide electricity at larger quantities. The downside to this energy source is that it is not green energy as it might restrict access to the natural habitat of some animals to rivers and falls.
Geothermal Energy
This energy comes from the natural energy that is stored under the earth’s crust. The most common use might be with natural hot springs by the foot of the mountain. It is not green energy since it requires drilling that may cause uproars in environmental care and requires area consideration to produce.
Biomass and Biofuel Energy
Biomass and biofuel energy are produced from organic materials such as plants, household, and agricultural wastes. A common use of biomass is burning wood in your furnace to heat up your home.
Why Renewable Energy
With the types of renewable energy mentioned, harnessing renewable energy is full of potential, from reducing your electric bill cost and consumption to the long-term effect of reducing our usage of non-renewable energy in the future. It also helps promote good health by preventing the release of greenhouse gases.
Renewable energy also promotes economic growth. While non-renewable energy sources require more mechanized power to produce it, renewable energy resources require man-power and labor for maintenance and supplication. The more we support renewable energy, the more job opportunities we can produce in the future.
Numerous energy companies are also providing options for households to have greener energy consumption. As Eligo buys power direct without middleman, it also produces more energy opportunities for households who are eager to convert to green energy.
Renewable Energy vs. Non-renewable Energy
We had already discussed renewable energy. Now, let us talk about non-renewable energy.
Unfortunately, non-renewable energy is still the primary source of energy we are using. It is energy produced from burning fossil fuels, coal, and oil beneath the earth’s surface that has been preserved for hundreds of years. It is a finite source of energy, and we are consuming more of it today.
Consumption of non-renewable energy also leads to more greenhouse gases that is potentially critical to our health and atmosphere. Greenhouse gases and carbon emissions cause and increase risk in acid rain, forest fire, smog, and various negative health conditions for humans.
Non-renewable energy might still be the primary source of energy for most households but there are steps that we are also taking to convert to renewable energy. It may take a lot of time and technological advancement to make it happen but every step we take is a step closer to saving Mother Earth.
Sustainability is Beautiful
Is it not wonderful to know that we can consume less energy while producing more of it? We also create more possibilities for alternatives whenever we consider switching and adapting to renewable energy.
We can also keep on conserving our non-renewable energy consumption in our home through simple ways such as unplugging unused appliances, turning off unused lights and faucets, or even creating a compost pit in our garden. It is also important to talk to our local energy provider about green alternatives.
If we keep on doing this, we will create a cycle of sustainability.