Why are we so dependent on electricity? The answer is simple – electricity allows modern appliances and more convenience in our lives. What would life be like if we went back to the time before electricity? Life was much harder than, and electricity has made modern life possible. The problem with being dependent on electricity is the fact that much of the electricity we use is created in coal powered energy plants. When coal is burned, greenhouse gases and pollution are emitted that cause environmental harm. Going back to no electricity is not a viable option, but we can lower our electricity consumption and find other ways to create electricity using alternative energy sources instead of coal and other fossil fuels. Waste to energy programs are one way that needed electricity can be produced without using fossil fuels, and there are many others.
The basics of electricity production are not as complex as many believe. Electricity can be produced using many other methods besides ones which require fossil fuels. Wind power, solar power, ocean power, and geothermal power are all alternative energy sources which can produce electricity. The basic production is the same though because all electricity starts with electrons, and a conductor which allows these electrons to travel through the material. Without a conductor it is not possible for electricity to travel from one place to another. A generator is used to move the electricity in the desired direction and flow. For electricity to be produced an electrical circuit is needed. Electricity production is possible using alternative energy sources instead of coal or other fossil fuels, and this will give many benefits, including environmental benefits.
Energy conservation efforts must be used to minimize electricity dependence, while using alternative energy sources to create the electricity needed. But exactly what lies behind real energy conservation? Real energy conservation means cutting back on the electricity you use, and making sure that the electricity you do use for necessities is produced from eco friendly alternative energy sources, instead of coal or other fossil fuels. If you have older appliances, replace them with energy efficient models that do not require as much electricity, and make your home as energy efficient as possible. Try to minimize electricity use as much as possible, and use clean sources of electricity.
The benefits of using energy saving light bulbs can help with electricity conservation. These bulbs last ten times longer than the usual light bulbs, and do not cost much more. Energy saving bulbs can help save both money and energy, because they do not have to be replaced as frequently, and they require much less energy to use. In addition less waste goes to the landfill, because energy saving bulbs do not need to be replaced anywhere near as often as traditional light bulbs. These bulbs can be an efficient way to conserve energy and protect the environment from harm, and is just one way out of thousands that you can use conservation efforts to make a difference. Electricity dependence does not mean conservation efforts can not be effective. Protecting the environment, conserving energy, and using alternative energy sources to produce electricity will prevent any energy crisis and keep the environment in good shape.
By: Shelly Wagar
Posts Tagged ‘Greenhouse Gases’
Electricity Dependence and Energy Conservation
March 27th, 20105 Ways Fluorescent Lighting Saves Energy and the Environment
January 5th, 2010Saving energy helps the environment because most energy sources, such as coal and natural gas are non-renewable. This means that once used, they are gone forever. Additionally, most forms of energy cause pollution that can be a source of greenhouse gases leading to climate change.
A simple explanation of how fluorescent bulbs work will illustrate 5 examples of how using fluorescent bulbs will help us save energy and the environment.
How Fluorescent Light Bulbs Work
Fluorescent lighting is manufactured by enclosing gas within glass tubes. Electricity excites the gas, producing light when the gas fluoresces. The fluorescent reaction produces ultraviolet light that is invisible to the human eye. Visible light is created when the UV light subsequently reacts with mercury and phosphorescent chemicals that have also been enclosed in the tube.
Fluorescent light bulbs are available to fit most existing fixtures and offer one of the most energy efficient electric lighting solutions available today.
Here are 5 examples of how fluorescents help save energy and the environment:
1. A greater proportion of the electricity consumed is directly used to produce light, resulting in conservation of energy sources and reduced pollution.
2. Fluorescent lights run cooler than incandescent and so they reduce the costs associated with running air conditioning.
3. The longer life of fluorescents will reduce the number of used bulbs in landfills, particularly since it has been shown that most people will properly recycle fluorescent bulbs when given the opportunity.
4. The EPA estimates that most of the 104 metric tons of mercury introduced into the atmosphere each year by humans is released by coal fired electric plants. Fluorescent light bulbs emit no mercury unless broken or improperly disposed of. Additionally, manufacturers are developing bulbs that operate with much less mercury than older bulbs.
5. Assuming that the lower costs of operating fluorescents will not increase the perceived need for light, consumers should use less electricity if they convert to fluorescent lighting when appropriate.
Just based on these facts alone, we can see that converting to a fluorescent lighting society is best for everyone. Businesses and consumers will both save money and energy, benefiting not only the environment, but also the budget.
It may be too late to completely avoid problems like global warming, but there is no need to abuse electricity and energy. Anything that we can do to decrease landfill waste is also a huge plus, as we are slowly running out of room to dump our garbage. Simply by switching from incandescent and halogen lighting to fluorescent lighting, you are doing your part to help the Earth.
By: Steve Hanson
Mazda Committed to Preserving the Environment
December 14th, 2009June 5 is World Environment Day and on this special day environmental issues and awareness takes the center stage. Motor vehicles have always been accused of increasing environmental hazards. However it’s a different case when you’re driving a Mazda. You see Mazda constantly monitors the environmental impact of their operation especially in terms of car production. And not only that they also make sure that their car from inception to end of its life remains to be eco-friendly. This is Mazda’s way of helping to preserve the planet.
The Mazda oil filter maker, Mazda manufactures clean-energy vehicles that make use of production technologies that have very minimal or no environmental impact. They were also the very first motor company to ever develop the first hydrogen-fueled rotary engine that was made available for commercial use last 2006 particularly in the RX8 Hydrogen RE.
The RX8 Hydrogen RE is a special type of engine that functions by mixing hydrogen and oxygen to produce the required electricity. And the best thing about this engine is that it only emits water as exhaust without the production of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. But that’s not all! Amazingly Mazda was also able to manage to achieve this result without sacrificing torque, acceleration, and exhaust tail note.
Aside from the hydrogen rotary engine, Mazda has created another environmental breakthrough—the one-of-a-kind Three Layer Wet Paint System which is a first in the world to reduce the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and carbon.
This paint system developed by Mazda us a one-step baking and drying method that applies three layers in succession meaning primer coat, base coat, and the clear coat while still wet. By eliminating the drying process the C02 emissions are reduced significantly by almost 15 percent.
Aside from that the Hiroshima-based automaker is also working on a new low solvent content paint in partnership with paint manufacturers that when applied using high- precision coating equipment will not only increase coating efficiency but will also reduce VOC emissions by 50 percent.
Mazda is also engaging in a continuous research and analysis to develop vehicles that can conserve energy, eliminate air and water pollution, reduce waste and minimize noxious chemical emissions. Mazda makes use of an effective and systematic operation system that efficiently utilizes resources and reduces hazardous wastes.
Overall the systematic process that Mazda employs ensures that all of its environmental goals are smoothly achieved. Mazda also provide its employees with trainings to raise their environmental awareness plus it also encourages its staffs to gain public qualifications related to environment. Mazda Corporation even goes as far as providing environment education programmes which are also designed for specific to various job profiles.
Such commitment of Mazda to the environment didn’t go unnoticed as a matter of fact the Hiroshima-based automaker has been duly recognized by the Californian research firm J.D. Power and Associates. The Mazda3 and MX5 have been included in their Automotive Environmental Index (AEI) study last 2006 and was listed among the most environmental friendly cars.
About Mazda Motor Corporation
Mazda Motor Corporation has started out as a manufacturer of tools way back in the year 1929 and later on it branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. The first passenger car models that Mazda produced were introduced in early 1960s. This was also the very same year that Mazda has started developing the rotary engines.
The headquarters of Mazda is located in Hiroshima in western Japan. Mazda presently ranks as one of Japan’s leading automakers and exporters. The Hiroshima-based automaker has been exporting cars to United States and Europe for over 30 years. Its overseas sales account for more than half of its total turnover.
Mazda has two main production sites in Japan and 19 overseas facilities. The overseas sites include joint ventures based in United States, and in Thailand. At present Ford Motor Corporation is still owns one-third controlling interest in Mazda.
By: Kraig Johanssen
