Energy Conservation
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Energy Conservation 1
Mitigation Strategies and Solutions: Energy Conservation
Katie Shuker
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Energy Conservation 2
Energy conservation is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used while achieving a similar outcome of end use. This practice may result in increase human comfort, personal security, national security, environmental value, and financial capital. Energy conservation is a reduction or elimination of unnecessary energy use. There are many activities that people can do to conserve energy and help not only themselves, but also the environment and everyone around them. Conserving energy is important because most of our current energy sources are not renewable; meaning their existence on earth is finite.
Nonliving factors that may contribute or be affected by energy consumption are sunlight, temperature, precipitation, water, and soil. Sunlight and temperature are both contributions to energy consumption. By using the sunlight and the temperature we can use other renewable resources for sources of light and energy instead of using the nonrenewable resources we currently use. Water and soil are affected by sunlight and temperature already.
Living factors that may contribute or be affected by energy consumption are herbivores (animals that only eat plants), carnivores (Animals that feed on other animals or material of animal origin), and omnivores (Animals that feed on material of both plant and animal origin). When the plants are affected by energy consumption that means that there are less of them for the herbivores to eat and stay alive. If these herbivores don’t have food to eat and stay healthy they will die and the carnivores which feed off of them may get sick and pass on themselves. Omnivores are affected because they may also get sick from eating plants and other animals which are unhealthy due to lack of energy.
Energy Conservation 3
An example of positive human impact for energy conservation would be what the undergraduate students at the University of Guelph have done. They have committed 4.3 million dollars to improve energy efficiency on campus. The students were asked to contribute $10 a month for 12 months to go to energy conservation for the school. The school itself will match what the students raise. Adam Scott a U of G student tell the U of G staff (2007) “This really shows that students care about the environment and are willing to take action, even if that action means a few extra dollars out of their pockets.” Staff and faculty will also have an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing energy conservation efforts. They will have the option to pledge a portion of their salary each pay period; this money will also be matched by the University.
Depending on what types of resources which are used to conserve energy it may cause a negative impact. Using Renewable resources which are replaced rapidly wouldn’t be too negative because no matter what is used it can be replaced easily. However if nonrenewable resources are all used up them it is harder to redeem them again which may cause more of an issue and make whatever current progress made retract and possibly go back to the original issue. Depletion of resources is threatening sustainable development of mankind. An increased greenhouse gas is changing the climate and this is one of the most serious issues in analyzing energy system. Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions will help to conserve energy.
Energy Conservation 4
The plan of recycling, turning off what is not needed and using alternate transportation has many benefits. Recycling will help there be less waste in landfills to be burned and cause pollution. Also by recycling it helps to reuse things that most people would not consider a reusable source. Turning off what is not needed helps to conserve energy because keeping lights on and things plugged in when they are not in use takes up more energy than anything. If a room is not being occupied lights should not be on, if an electronic device is not being used it should be unplugged. Lastly using alternate modes of transportation such as carpooling, taking the bus/light rail, walking or riding a bike may make the trip longer, but it is better for the environment and less congestion on the roads.
The challenges of the plan are mainly getting everyone to participate. A lot of people are unable to recycle because they are not in an area where recycling bins are provided and emptied every couple of weeks. Getting recycling drop off locations in apartment complexes and offices will be the first bump in the road to being successful. Turning off or unplugging electronics which are not needed will be difficult because it’s hard to get everyone in one household to unplug electronics when they are not in use and turning the lights off when leaving a room. Some people do it as a security thing and it’s hard to break habits and take on new ones.
Energy Conservation 5
Using alternate modes of transportation will be difficult because of the amount of people in the U.S. and being able to provide enough bus/light rail routes for everyone to have that option, producing affordable bikes for people who live close enough to their job to bike or walk may be a challenge and getting people to carpool is even harder because a lot of times its not carpooling with people who already know each other, but with people who just happen to