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Secondly, alternative energy is never ending and renewable because sources like sun and
water will never be exhausted and do not use up natural resources. A perfect example of
this would be solar energy, which is generated from the heat of the sun. In contrast,
traditional way to sourcing energy eat up precious natural resources and are not
renewable.
Overall, one can clearly come to a conclusion that alternative sources of energy are
environment friendly and a perfect replacement for oil, gas and even nuclear energy. With
the right research and use of modern technology, we can foresee a pollution free world of
energy.
Topic 3
Individuals and the reduction of pollution.
Reducing global environmental damage should be handled by governments rather
than individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The damage to the environment is increasing at an alarming rate mainly due to human
activities. Although a great deal of effort is being now made by governments all over the
world, individuals also have a major role to play in the minimising global environmental
hazards.
To start with, one of the major reasons for the pollution of the environment is the
uncontrolled use of automobiles. If individuals can make a conscious effort to change their
lifestyle, by cutting down the use of private cars and use public transport, it would
substantially reduce the burning of fossil fuels. For instance, serious attempt should be
made by individuals to travel to work regularly by buses and trains. The lack of public
support can seriously hamper any government endeavour towards the reduction of
pollution.
Again, people use enormous amount of plastic in daily life, which is a hazardous pollutant
of the soil. Individuals can make a great contribution for the protection of the environment,
opting for eco friendly substitutes. An ideal way to do this is by using paper and cloth bags
instead of plastic in supermarkets.
Finally, people should gradually withdraw from excess consumerism, which has greatly
contributed to the over exploitation of natural resources. This would mean that they should
give greater priority to durable and reusable products in the shopping list, consequently
discouraging use and throw culture.
Inconclusion, individuals have a crucial role in joining hands with the government in
reducing the harm caused to the environment.
What can I do to help?
Every day we hear about the importance of using renewable energy. Our meteorologists talk about
solar paneling and energy-efficient light bulbs. The electric company offers to install a
programmable thermostat at no charge, saving energy consumption by 10% or more. Recycling bins
are available in a number of places.
All these suggestions are good, but I wonder what can I do to help? I decided to set aside one day a
week to devote to green energy. We have an open farmers market every Wednesday near my home.
All sorts of vegetables and fruit in season, grown on neighboring farms, are sold at the market for
reasonable prices. Since these small farms are individually owned, there is no long distance trucking
and storage involved. The produce is fresh, free of unknown pesticides and food handling risks by
large grocery store chains. I left my car in the garage and walked to the market, less than a mile
away. After selecting a variety of produce, I purchased a few of the green plants for sale. I placed
the small herb plants, thyme, rosemary, and parsley, on the windowsill and the other green plants in
several rooms. Green plants are efficient and effective self-cleaning air purifiers. They are
attractive, inexpensive additions to any home, providing necessary humidity to indoor living.
I no longer ask what I can do to help. Some of the simplest things I, or you, can do will help renew
the world we live in, ensuring a healthy future for us all.
Green Energy
- Renewable Energy - An Overview In today's climate of high oil prices, fears of dependence on foreign oil, accusations of price
gouging by big energy conglomerates and fears of the safety and waste, not to mention pollution
caused by nuclear energy and fossil fuels, renewable energy is becoming a more pressing and clear
choice for future consumer and corporate usage. The cost in health and the environment, the
depletion of natural resources, not to mention the political costs of both fossil fuel and nuclear
energy will soon force the hands of governments across the globe towards renewable sources of
energy.
What is renewable energy? Most people know the basics, forms of renewable energy that have been
around as long as man has built tools and some more recent forays into alternative energy sources.
Water power, wind power, even organic power such as something as simple as a human or an ox
pulling a yoke which in turn rotates a millstone for grinding grain are all renewable sources of
energy. Some, like the ox, are not practical for modern power sources, though it could be argued
that the individual household could employ such methods as alternative, renewable energy sources.
Other older forms of renewable energy are as simple as the burning of wood or other vegetable
matter for heat. Depending on the source material, such as hemp or other fast growing crops, this
represents a renewable source of energy. Many field crops can be grown for this purpose, or for
other purposes and once utilized, the plant waste can be used for combustion. Animal oil, such as
whale oil, is arguably a renewable energy source. The problem inherent with this is that the animal
would most likely need to be domesticated in order to have a renewable source.
Some of the more practical and more recent advances in renewable energy sources are familiar as
well; solar energy for one. With the invention of the photovoltaic cell, the power to harness the
energy from the sun has become a viable alternative and a reliable source of renewable energy. The
photovoltaic, or solar cell, is a semiconductor device that converts photon, or light rays, into
electricity. The limitations to this are of course, that the sun is only available for about 12 of our 24
hour day. The solution to this is to use batteries to store the energy the sun emits during the day for
use at night.
There are many other sources of renewable energy. Hydrogen has been viewed as a viable source of
energy, but until recently, the energy needed to convert hydrogen into a source of power has been
too costly. Just recently, two companies have worked together to create hydrogen using a biodiesel
fuel for use in a zero emission fuel cell. Biofuels made from vegetable products like ethanol from
corn, sugar beets or cane have long been seen as an alternative to fossil fuels. Biogas sources of fuel
such as the methane and other gases produced by landfills or animal waste are renewable energy
sources.
Geothermal energy such as the heat generated by volcanic activity or other geothermal sources is
another source of renewable energy. The geothermal energy from the core of the Earth is closer to
the surface in some places than others and is therefore more practical there. Geothermal heat can be
used to heat or cool buildings. A liquid is pumped into the Earth, allowing it to evaporate, and the
hot gases are then used to power turbines. Ocean thermal energy conversion is a way to generate
electricity using the temperature difference of seawater at different depths.
Some of the older sources of energy have been reworked for modern usage needs. The power of
water has been transformed from the simple wheel turned by a stream to massive hydroelectric
turbines in dams or falls. The power of the ocean, called wave energy, and its incessant tidal flow
has been explored as a possible source of renewable energy as well. The power of ocean waves can
be used as an energy source. Waves can be used to raise and lower devices like pontoons, using the
kinetic energy created as a power source.
Wind power has gone from the small windmill to vast fields of giant windmills generating energy
enough to power cities. The burning of organic material such as wood has also been revamped
through technology. Under high pressure and high temperature, wood can be transformed into a gas,
often much more efficient than simply burning it. This gas can be used to generate heat which in
turn could be used to generate electricity.
There are many small scale sources of renewable energy as well. Piezoelectric crystals generate a
small voltage whenever they are deformed. Kinetic energy, such as the motion of someone swinging
their arm when they walk, has been used to power watches. Electrokinetics generate electricity from
the kinetic energy in when it is pumped through channels.
By eating less meat we save land and vegetation. Also only a fraction of the nutritional value that
is eaten by the animal is then turned into nutritional value in the meat that we then consume.