The Concerns Behind Conserving Energy And How To Do Your Part

Energy Costs impact us daily

Why Conserve Energy?

Energy consumption trends impact each and every one of us on a daily basis. Whether its the price of the gasoline being pumped into your car, the cost of your monthly utility bills, or the pollution caused by burning fuels, energy consumption is an inescapable concern of the modern world.

As the supply of energy sources diminish and the U.S. becomes more dependent on importing energy, the consumer cost of energy is rising dramatically. As a result, the incentive for the individual consumer to conserve energy is also rising. On a nationwide level, energy is a huge factor affecting the efficiency of the U.S. economy and small changes in costs can have a dramatic impact on the economy as a whole. Given the diminishing reserves and current recession, energy consumption has become a hot topic of political debate.

Lifetime of U.S.’s Resources                         Lifetime of World’s Resources

- Petroleum                 2.9 years                      - Petroleum                    39 years

            - Natural Gas              9.2 years                      - Natural Gas                  60 years
            - Coal                         242 years                      - Coal                            164 years

The U.S. is one of the world's leading consumers of Energy

        In addition to cost, the effect of energy use on the environment is also a major concern. With over 50% of the U.S.’s electricity coming from coal, and over 250 million passenger vehicles in the U.S., greenhouse gas emissions have become a growing concern. As the individual consumer becomes more aware of these issues, large corporations have created pollution reducing initiatives in order to create “responsible” reputations. However, with emerging nations’ energy consumption increasing at exponential rates, more needs to be done to both reduce pollution and conserve energy. President Barack Obama reiterated this fact during his recent visit to Penn State. He said that being “more energy-efficient is one the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to save money, combat pollution and create jobs right here in the United States of America.”
        Because energy consumption is growing at an exponential rate, individuals and nations need to be more aware of how to efficiently use energy. Included below are the effects energy consumption has on the environment, individual initiatives to reduce personal energy consumption and nationwide initiatives to reduce energy consumption.

The Effects of Energy Pollution

As energy sources in our world becoming increasingly over consumed, it is undeniable that it will have widespread effects on the environment and those who inhabit it. Everyone relies on energy in some way or another, and that is why this risk poses such a problem.

Fossil fuels are one of the most prevalent forms of energy today, and are certainly having an impact on the world. Our dependence, however, has presented an issue.

According to the United States Department of Energy, fossil fuels:

• are fuels formed by natural resources such as coal, oil and natural gas
• provide more than 85% of the energy used in the U.S.
• supply two-thirds of total electricity used in U.S.
• provide just about all of transportation fuels

Fossil fuels are known for their very high percentage of carbon, and this is such a problem because as the fuels are burned, they release greenhouse gases and other air pollution that significantly affect our environment. The gases that are released, such as carbon dioxide and methane, have a tendency to trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This is called the greenhouse effect, which leads to global warming, one of the most prevalent environmental threats in the world.

Global warming presents dangerous climate change problems, which are changes that happen to our environment, atmosphere and weather patterns over a long period of time. Rising temperatures mean glaciers, sea ice, and polar ice sheets are melting, which means the sea level is rising at a very high rate. Scientists project that sea levels could be 20 feet higher by 2100, which would submerge Indonesia, and severely flood low-elevation areas like Miami, New Orleans, and Bangladesh.

Extreme heat waves are also an issue, like the one that spread across Europe in 2003, killing an estimated 35,000 people. According to the Global Development and Environment Institute of Tufts University, extreme heats waves are occurring two to four times more often, and are projected to be 100 times more likely over the next 40 years. Heat waves also contribute to increased danger of wildfires and water quality issues like algal bloom.

According to an article in Scientific American on a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, some other areas of life that warming temperatures are effecting and will continue to in the future:

• Reduced crop production
• Diminishing water supply
• Increase risk and power of tropical cyclones
• Endangering animal species

Air quality is continually diminishing as more greenhouse gases are pumped into our atmosphere. Nitrous oxides are released into the air by burning fossil fuels. These help create smog and haze, which in turn cause breathing problems. Over a long period of exposure to smog and haze, people are at a very significant risk of lung cancer and other lung ailments.

These are some of the effects that overuse of energy has on our environment and the population. As these dangers become more and more real, it is up to us to make changes in our habits to ensure that we have this planet for many years to come.

Individual Initiatives

As energy conservation continues to become more of a necessity, it has fallen on the individual to make conscious efforts to reduce their energy consumption at home and in the work place. Countless initiatives have been launched nationwide to first educate individuals on the need for energy conservation and then educate individuals on how they can reduce the amount of energy they use. Beyond education the United States Government has offered incentives to individuals who have made energy efficient improvements to their household or transportation vehicle. In 2010 the non-business energy property tax credit section of the tax code was extended by one year. The section offers up to $500 in tax cuts to individuals who make energy efficient household improvements. In addition to tax cuts the U.S. Department of Energy has started using the Energy Star label to certify household appliances that meet energy energy efficient requirements.

Energy Star

The Energy Star label has been a major step in not only increasing public knowledge of energy efficient products but also in making energy efficiency almost a requirement for new products. Also as public awareness increases companies that produce our heaters, refrigerators, dish washers, and other common household appliances are forced to strive to meet the requirements set forth by the department of energy. In addition to this the Energy Star product has made educating consumers one of its top priorities.

The interactive Energy Star website provides various tips for home owners in how they can reduce their energy consumption on a daily basis. According to the website individual energy usage is broken down in the following manner; 29% of individual energy consumption is used for heating, 17% for cooling, 14% for water heating, 13% for appliances, 12% for lighting, 4% for electronics, and 11% for other. The site goes on to educate individuals in how they can reduce energy consumption under each category. Furthermore, the website provides individuals a place to find contractors that are known for being energy conscious. This allows individuals who are either building a new house or simply adding on to their existing house a method for finding energy star certified contractors in their area. The energy star website can be viewed by clicking the link make sure to check it out to find more on what you can do to conserver energy.

In addition to making energy conservation known among home owners separate initiatives take place in schools nationwide. Here at Penn State you can see seperate initiatives all around campus. Some dorm buildings have signs saying to use the staircase instead of the elevator in at least one direction. Many of the light switches around campus bathrooms have a cover that says “please turn me off.” Also above many of the recycling cans around campus are signs that state “One can of soda can supply enough power to run a TV for a month.” Initiatives such as these have bee helpful here at Penn State in making energy conservation a serious effort at Penn State.

Nationwide/City Initiatives

President Obama is currently working on some initiatives to help our nation as a whole. Obama’s claim is that “the nation that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will be the nation that leads the 21st century.” It may seem a little bit far-fetched to some, but President Obama is shooting for a “Clean Energy Economy."

Obama's push for a “Clean Energy Economy” is composed of various initiatives that look promising to most. There are five main initiatives under this under the "Clean Energy Economy" plan are they are as follows:

• Recovery Act Investments in Clean Energy
• Appliance Efficiency Standards
• Leadership in Sustainability
• Efficiency Standards for Cars and Trucks
• Making Homes More Energy Efficient

The biggest component under this is the “Recovery Act Investments in Clean Energy.” This investment included more than $80 billion in the generation of renewable energy sources, expanding manufacturing capacity for clean technology, advancing vehicle and fuel technologies, and building a bigger better, smarter electric grid, all while creating new, sustainable jobs. All of these initiatives are pretty jaw dropping at first but after thinking about where are nation has come so far, there isn't really anything that this wonderful Nation can’t achieve! Of course all of these initiatives aren't going to work overnight; it’s going to take some years. (For additional information on any of these initiatives, click here).

President Obama recently visited Penn State to expand his federal initiatives on a more city/local level. Obama proposed a new tax credit and other measures to encourage businesses to retrofit buildings and reduce costs, amounting to savings that he said could amount to $40 billion a year in utility bills! He promoted his view that the pursuit of technological innovations would create more jobs in the future. Penn State and other researchers will get $160 million over the next five years to make buildings more efficient. Obama has really big plans for his proposal. The President also wants to give building owners new tax incentives or low-interest loans to help pay for green upgrades. He also wants to create more jobs by training construction workers on how to make energy efficient upgrades. Once again, these initiatives seem overwhelming but we have faith in my President as well as our Nation!

Here in State College, there is a company by the name of Envinity and they specialize on energy improvements for homes and businesses. Their work includes; installing solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy systems; designing and building new homes and additions; studying new techniques and products for sustainable design; and participating in teaching, outreach, and consulting opportunities to better engage our communities. We believe that if we had more local companies like this around the nation would be better off. Companies like this understand the danger that our Nation is in and want to do their part however they can.

Both City and Nationwide initiatives are important, but one can’t be done without the other. We believe that for the most we are on our way to conquering this Energy Consumption crisis. It may take many years but it can and will be done!