Energy Conservation When one looks around the world and especially at the United States of America today, one can see how dependent humans are on electricity. The production of electricity comes from so many different resources, but primarily from non-renewable resources such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power plants (Starr, 2004). As electricity is produced this way our planet is depleted further of fossil fuels as well as the planet being pumped full of more Carbon Dioxide (CO²) than the planet can handle. Imagine nothing changing when it comes to energy production and take a look at our planet in 100 years. Do you see a planet that is inhabited, or do you in fact see a planet that is something akin to the movie Wall-e? It is a scary thought, but alternative energy resources are out there, and these alternative energy resources will enable mankind to inhabit Earth for many more years and even centuries to come. Since the year 1900 tests on world temperature have been documented and studied showing that the planet temperature is raising by approximately 1.1 degrees per century (Phillips, 2008). The reason for this rise in temperature is clearly due in part to the rising of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The process of producing electricity is a major contributing factor to carbon dioxide as fossil fuels are burned to produce the electricity. Currently, fossil fuels used for electricity emit approximately 6,000,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per year. With this said, not only is electricity being limited by the limited sources of fossil fuels, but our planet is also at a real risk of dying do to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The depletion of rain forests and regular forests around the world is not helping out the carbon dioxide issue either. Forests, plants, and vegetation transform carbon dioxide into oxygen; yet with the amount of depletion that has happened around the world plants and vegetation, especially the forests, cannot keep up with the amount of carbon dioxide around the world. The burning of fossil fuels to make electricity produces gases that form a glass like layer, and this layer is what is referred to as the green house effect. The high levels of carbon dioxide that are within the glass like layer around the world are what are known as the greenhouse effect (Phillips, 2008). One could say that the production of electricity is boosting the greenhouse effects around the world. This greenhouse gases absorb the long-wave length radiation and re-radiate it back down to the Earth causing many issues for both humans and animals (Phillips, 2008). As one can see carbon dioxides produced by producing electricity has many factors that affect both animals and humans. Carbon dioxide is a poisonous gas that neither humans nor animal can breathe, thus making the atmosphere deadlier by the day. Breathing is not the only issue contributed to the greenhouse effect either. The melting of the polar ice caps and the rising ocean levels are attributed to greenhouse gases as well. Wide spread global changes such as flooding due to rising waters, hurricanes due to melted colder waters hitting warm water, and tornadoes due to the atmospheric change from greenhouse gases are all contributed to carbon dioxide; carbon dioxide that we keep entering into the air by our need for electricity (Plass, 2010). No matter where one goes energy is either needed where they go, or by how they get there. Electricity is needed everywhere, houses, businesses, and the streets all use electricity. In the mind of some individuals electricity simply is, and will always be there no matter what, and there is no consequence for electricity such as the burning of fossil fuels for the electricity. Carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases are just simply a scar tactic as far as these individuals are concerned. These individuals believe this planet will be alive and thriving for generations to come no matter what their impact is to the planet; the planet will simply be. Sadly, these are the same individuals that will not be around in 100 years to see the consequences of high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the toll the carbon dioxide has taken on the planet. These individuals simply do not care. Humans, sadly to say are the reason for high levels of carbon dioxide. The rise of the human population is a major contributor to the carbon dioxide levels rising, and as more humans are demanding energy, namely electricity, the more fossil fuels are burned and carbon dioxide levels rise. The human needs for fossil fuels are so intense that mankind is fighting wars for fuel. Does this in itself not say that we need to put alternative energy resources to use? I believe it does, and the alternative resources are available should the individual have the means. Hybrid technology is running rapid through the automotive industry, as almost every auto manufacturer now offers a hybrid vehicle. But it is the alternative resource of solar energy that can truly drop the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere should more individuals jump on board. What is scary about this information is the fact that this information is being concealed from the world population. Scientists around the world hide the numbers and facts of what is really going on with the atmosphere so that the population does not panic. Yet, if the population was educated to what is going on with our planet the population would then understand the significance of alternative energy and the need to change how we use fossils fuels for energy and electricity. With this education comes a price for the big dollar companies producing the electricity that is lining the pockets of their CEO’s. As far as these companies are concerned, we as humans, just need to look further around the world to find more fossil fuels regardless of the carbon dioxide produced from using fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are running out, and as one can see fossil fuels are not sustainable means to keep the human and animal population alive and doing well on this planet. Sustainability is a possibility though, and I have a plan to reach sustainability. First I would educate the public and world population on the damages being done to the planet through the use of fossil fuels. I would also educate the population on carbon dioxide and the effects of carbon dioxide not only on the planet but also on the individual. One issue that people understand is the pocket book being affected by one’s life. Today many are working just to keep the lights on at home, and with the rising costs of energy many are seeing their pocket books emptier and emptier by the day. Education and information on solar energy must take place. When individuals realize the energy companies can be paying them for energy they may realize the importance of solar panels and solar energy. When one takes a hold of the possibilities available with solar panels for a home, one can then understand the stronghold that the electricity company has on the general population. Graphs, charts, and numbers are going to be the key to educating individuals on renewable resources and the benefits of solar panels. With numbers being laid down the population can decide if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages to starting renewable energy at home (solar panels) over the nonrenewable resources already being used in their homes (fossil fuels). I would do this education through fliers and brochures educating individuals on solar energy, as well as commercials on the radio and television. One commercial I remember as a child was the Smokey the bear commercial about not playing with fire. These commercials struck a chord with me and fire has never been something to play with because of those commercials. The same can be done with the generations growing up today. Give them a commercial the strikes a chord and the younger generation will then teach the older generation.
Solar energy can and will benefit everyone. Once solar energy is in use individuals will notice that their dependencies on fossil fuels are diminishing; thus causing carbon dioxide levels to diminish as well. Many challenges do still exist when it comes to the start up of solar energy though. The price to get started with solar energy is a real concern for all who are willing to use solar energy. The average cost of solar panels on 2300sqft home is approximately $26,450, and that can be a shock (Chippendale, 2008). That would be one more part of my action plan though. I would take this issue to the White House and I would petition the government to step up and help those under a certain earning bracket to put solar panels on their homes. I would also push for an initiative that all Landlords must put solar panels on their homes to help out those renting that are less fortunate. What the public needs to see is that they are not taking the hit to save the planet and their wallets.
I would put my plan into use with the 50 largest cities in the United States first. It would take the communities to agree and to back the push that will take place with the government for help. Once solar energy and solar panels have become a staple across the United States I would then push an initiative to promote solar panels and power in other major companies, and then around the world. This will not be easy by any means, yet as the price flattens out the economy may also notice that solar panels has helped put jobs back into the market as well as helping to lower energy costs.
What is going to be the hardest part of all of this is getting the government to help so many across the country. The government is currently making money from the backers of the energy companies, so having the government do a turnaround will be very difficult yet it is possible with the communities support.
Solar panels will add equity to the property of those using them, as solar panels will benefit whoever moves into the house with lower electric bills if not payments from the electric company. Yes the cost is high right now for solar panels, but the solar panels will pay for themselves within about 49 years or so (Chippendale, 2010). This is the biggest obstacle, making people understand that the benefits will be long lasting rather than immediate.
Solar energy is by no means the complete answer to lowering carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, yet it is a step in the right direction, and it is a step that can truly help our planet. It only takes one community to move forward before more will follow, or before the world takes notice. Education is the key though. Not until the general population understands what is really going on with our planet will they understand the importance of solar energy and solar panels. Fossil fuels have been the way of the future for far too long. It is time to look at the alternatives available and to change to those alternatives for future generations. Reference
Chippendale, A. (2008). Solar panels: Counting the real cost. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from http://find.galegroup.com Phillips, A. (2010). Global warming. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from http://www.credoreference.com
Plass, G. (2010). Carbon dioxide and the climate. Retrieved August 12, 2010, from http://ehis.ebscohost.com Star, E. (2004). Electric power generation. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from
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