Into Motivation

According to what the best historians tell us, since 1750 our reliance on fossil fuels has risen unabated as we turn to coal and oil for everything. We have developed systems over the years and become smarter for sure, inventing new ways to use the energy that we rely on to make our lives better. This has been going on in the background, just as we have ignored scientists and environmentalists who have warned us about greenhouse gas emissions and the damage that is being caused to the world all around this.

Only in relatively recent times have we have finally woken up and understood. We have caused considerable damage so far and are now in danger of not being able to slow our reliance on fossil fuels sufficiently to enable us to reverse and repair this damage. The benefits of renewable energy represent a clear advantage to us now and we realise that we should be helping the environment by making tangible changes.

Unfortunately, only about 5% of our energy needs are satisfied by renewable energy forms such as solar, wind, water and geothermal. It is certainly possible for us to generate enough electricity from such sources for our own consumption, but again unfortunately, it is prohibitively expensive for us to invest in such systems for our homes alone. Solar energy, as an option, is perhaps most often used by home owners, especially in sunnier climes, where they can put panels on the roof to help heat water and run certain appliances.

Some appliance manufacturers are working

on the development of “smart” products that can be run individually from external, renewable energy sources. By doing so, we might be able to run a refrigerator using a solar panel, for example.

All governments are waking up and taking notice of the problems and are providing appropriate funds to help pay grants and incentives. Home owners who are more willing to invest in taking steps to retrofit existing systems to replace energy hog appliances will likely get grants from the taxpayer. This is a good investment, as in the long run, a lower reliance on raw energy needs can only be viewed as a security enhancement from a wider point of view.

When it comes to ways to save electricity around the home, we can do this by using a type of renewable energy in its most basic form. This could be as simple as using solar energy to dry your clothes, if the climate you live in is appropriate. A typical clothes washer and dryer cycle can add to your energy bill considerably. Remember that individual steps can all make a difference and if we take concerted action, we can get there.

If you cannot directly introduce the concept of renewable energy into your home, the next best thing is to insist that the companies you patronise become more sustainable. Deal with companies that are sustainable and favour renewable energy. These days, it is good public relations to be doing so and companies that are making a difference are only too keen to tell us all how good a corporate citizen they are! Make sure they pay attention!