Our Current Sources of Energy and Why We Need Alternatives

Comment: save energy, turn off your lights, hang your clothes in the wind, turn down hot water tank, simple, will save on your electric bill!

By Joshua Vadney

Do you realize that one of the most common contributors to how much carbon dioxide in our air is the production of the energy we use every day? Everyone uses electricity every day and in fact we take it for granted, just flicking a switch or pushing a button to turn on the lights, watch television, or turn on our computer but have you ever considered where that electricity in your home is coming from? You might not be aware that almost all of our energy needs are provided by fossil fuels such as oil and coal. These energy sources are the blame for most of the toxic carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and scientists are growing increasingly alarmed with the impact these emissions are having on the environment.

Most people don’t realize is how using their normal appliances in their home or at work can affect our climate so strongly so they aren’t worried about finding alternative fuel sources. But the importance of finding renewable clean energy sources has never been so important as it is right now. Besides the fact that our current energy sources are harming our atmosphere, it is a fact that they will eventually run out since they aren’t renewable. This is one of the most important reasons, aside from keeping our environment clean, we need to find alternative sources for our energy needs.

Many energy companies have been exploring the possibilities of using solar panels and windmills (solar and wind energy) on a widespread basis, bringing production costs down and making them more efficient so they can be readily available. Hydro power, using dams to harness the energy from moving water with turbines, is also a good alternative source but it can only be used in area with rivers and large bodies of water. The downside of wind energy is that it can only be used in areas that have consistent wind so it can’t be used in a lot of areas as a stand alone sole energy source.

Researchers all around the world are currently trying to discover sources of alternative energy right now. One of the most common energy sources that doesn’t emit carbon dioxide is nuclear power but it is also one of the most controversial as well. Concerns about the dangers of a meltdown and contamination of the environment have kept nuclear power from being developed large scale in the United States but other countries are using nuclear power to their benefit. It is one of the most widespread uses of clean energy but the biggest downfall of using nuclear energy is the nuclear waste it produces, which can take millions of years to become inert and has to be stored. The main problem with this is that we only have so much space for storage and eventually it could leak into the environment, causing more environmental concerns.

Until we discover a clean source of energy that is more commercially available and solves our current issues with our current power power sources, the best thing we can all do to help is try to limit our our energy usage daily by being consistent. Researchers have shown that if everyone always turned off the lights when not in use in their homes and offices that it would reduce our energy usage by up to twenty percent.

Seems simple, doesn’t it?

Click Here to discover more ways you can help the environment and save money.

Have you ever considered building your own solar panels or a windmill to slash your electric bill in half or even eliminate it altogether? You don’t have to be a construction worker to make your own power! I reviewed the top three do it yourself solar panel/windmill guides on the internet today and you can find out more by going to http://www.diysolarwind.org

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