Non Renewable Energy: Scraping the Bottom o' the Barrel
Non renewable energy sources are those which, well...cannot be renewed or replenished, at least not in our lifetimes. These include petroleum, coal, propane, and natural gas. The problem with these sources of energy is not only that they are of a finite quantity. Non-renewable energy sources are one of the single leading causes of global warming. Carbon emissions resulting from the burning of these fuels is directly correlated to the increase in global temperature we are observing now.
The Renewable Energy SolutionWe have come to a place in our civilization where we have no choice but to discover and utilize clean renewable energy. The advantage of renewable energy has never been more clear. The sooner we admit this, as painful as it is, the better. It's damage control time people and it's our children who will benefit most from our immediate action.
Solar Energy Facts Each day the sun provides more than enough energy to supply the entire world's demand. Harnessing solar power to provide energy to 1 million homes would reduce carbon emissions by 4.3 million tons each year. This is the equivalent of removing 850,000 cars from the roadways...each year! So why aren't we using it? Well, there are many political and economic issues involved in moving away from non renewable energy. Until now people have been looking to their governments to provide information and resources for switching to alternative energy. Since we all know how slowly the bureaucratic wheel rolls, let's start educating ourselves. Solar power does require a financial investment up front, and for this reason it is not easily accessible to everyone. But new legislation is bringing tax breaks and other incentives for individuals and businesses for employing solar power. Even Google's gone solar! If you're in a financial position to pursue this option, please do. Think of how wonderful it would be to be off the grid, receiving no monthly power bill while taking advantage of the tax breaks!
Geothermal Energy Although geothermal energy systems, called geothermal heat pumps, do use a small amount of electricity, they can greatly reduce the overall use of non renewable energy for your home. These pumps help to heat and cool your home as well as provide hot water. This technology utilizes the constancy of the Earth's below-surface temperature. You only need to go a few feet below the surface to take advantage of this. When it's cold outside, the geothermal heat pump circulates water through the house and into the ground, absorbing the Earth's natural heat and transferring it to your home and hot water supply. When the weather warms up, this same pump then absorbs the heat from your home and disperses it under ground. These systems can be more affordable than solar power systems and also offer federal and state tax incentives. Return from Non Renewable Energy to Home
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