Every day, we produce tons of carbon and add it into the atmosphere as we move on with our daily lives. We’ve been using – rather abusing – fossil fuels as a source of energy since the industrial revolution, and have done considerable damage to the globe. Our carbon footprints will remain in the atmosphere for at least another hundred years.

There are several problems associated with using fossil fuels as a source of energy. It took millions of years for plant and animal matter to decay, compress and turn into fossil fuels beneath the surface of the earth. It cannot be regenerated at the same rate at which we use them. Sooner or later, we are bound to run out of it.

The consequences of using fossil fuels as a source of energy have been devastating. Scientists have linked greenhouse gas emission to global warming, and climate change, which lead to more serious repercussion such as depletion of natural resources, melting of polar ice caps, rising of sea levels, changes in vegetation habitat and extinction of wild animals around the world.

With the advancement of science and technology, we have come to realize that we don’t need to burn fossil fuels any more to power our houses, automobiles and factories. We have sources that are sustainable and renewable. Here are five alternative energy sources that are infinite and green.

 

Please include attribution to SaveOnEnergy.com with this graphic.

How Wind Turbines Work

Graphics Source: SaveOnEnergy com

1. Solar Power

"Solar cells near cargo terminal" by Binu jayakrishnan - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.

Solar cells near cargo terminal” by Binu jayakrishnanOwn work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.

Solar panels of today are cheaper, more energy efficient and easy to install, than ever before. Over the next decade, solar panels are expected to improve even more. Currently, solar cells are using common salt instead of silicon, which is making them inexpensive and flexible. Current photoelectric cells are very promising and have a lot of room for improvement.  (The Independent)

 

 

 

 

 

Please include attribution to SaveOnEnergy.com with this graphic.

How solar panels work

Source: SaveOnEnergy

2. Wind

Wind power is another sector which is making steady progress. It’s a clean and renewable source of energy that is available throughout the world. The only problem with wind was that historically we had to set up huge towers in order to mount our turbines. However, with the latest innovations, it’s no longer needed. There are wind turbines being developed that can be mounted up without any towers. There are also devices being developed that can stay low and catch low winds, or mounted on a balloon.

“The latest BAT or Buoyant Airborne Turbine makes it easy and affordable, by eliminating the need for large blades or large towers for mounting.” 9 Renewable Energy Sources of the Future | Environmental Professionals Network

3. Power from tides

Ocean currents and tides are also a common phenomenon around the world, which can be used to generate renewable energy. Generating power from tides or ocean currents use a similar technology as the wind turbines do. There are floating devices and submerged turbines that rotate and move up and down with ocean current. This kinetic energy is then converted to electrical energy with the help of dynamos.

Tides are constant and do not have limitations similar to wind or the sun. The only problem is you need to be close to a coastal area in order to harness energy from the ocean.

4. Geothermal energy

wave-surf-ocean-1674576-hThere is heat beneath the surface of the earth and can reach up to 4000 °C near the core-mantle. This energy naturally comes out via hot water springs or we can drill near the edges of tectonic plates where thermal resources are nearer to the surface of the earth. This energy can easily be used to heat homes, heat water and even turn water to steam, which would then be used to generate electricity. Geothermal energy is already being used in many parts of the world to power simple to complex power stations.

5. Human power

Tiny electronic devices such as your mobile phone, tablet PCs or watches are being developed and designed today to draw energy from human movement. These tiny electronics can draw energy from human movements or body heat and generate their own energy to run.

Using fossil fuels may seem cheap right now because it doesn’t require us to develop new technology or do more research. However, it could become an expensive commodity for us in the long run. Today, you might be able to buy cheap gas at the gas station, but think of the external costs of fossil fuels: costs associated with irreversible damage to the atmosphere, devastating climatic events and its effects on health.

We need more people to join us in our battle to combat global warming.  Please join Environmental Professionals Network and help us spread global awareness. Click here to book a meeting, call us at 303-495-3705 or email us at ioe@ecolonomics.org .

We’d love your feedback and comments, so please feel free to add your comments below or visit our Facebook page, we’d really appreciate it.

Source: Environmental Professionals Network

Related articles and resources:

Share
Want to learn the skills to build a profitable and sustainable farm? Join our online learning community!
+ +
https://ecolonomics.org/best-bagged-upright-vacuum-cleaner-review-2021/ https://ecolonomics.org/best-bagged-upright-vacuum-cleaner-review-2021/