Green energy is becoming increasingly important in the world today as people are getting more aware of the adverse effects humanity has had on the environment of planet earth which we all call home.
Environmental degradation and pollution of the earth’s soil, air and water resources is now very high as a result of ; industrialisation, urbanisation, agriculture, transportation and over exploitation.
The consequences of of these have resulted into
- Decline in non-renewable resources like coal, oil, natural gas
2. Biodiversity and habitat loss; many animals have lost their homes and many have died due to deforestation and pollution of water bodies. This has resulted in the extinction of many flora and fauna with many species now being endangered.
3. Global warming; Industrial fumes and combustion of fossil fuels like oil release green house gases that deplete the ozone layer resulting in the green house effect. The earths temperatures are now rising; ice caps are melting and seasons have changed.
Other effects of global warming are; drought, famine, flooding as a result of rising sea levels and hurricanes. The worst thing about global warming is that its effects arent localised. It affects us all. We may have country boundaries but we live in the same planet. Destruction of the environment in one place will effect every one.
That being said, the need to adopt eco-sustainable lifestyles is now very important for everyone everywhere to help us curtail these effects. we can begin by;
- Having green homes and buildings
- Adopting sustainable farming methods like indoor vertical farming,
- Proper waste disposal and treatment
- Wildlife gazetting and conservation
- Proper resource management
- Using green energy.
We rely on energy in our daily lives to run our machines like cars, for domestic use; cooking, lighting, home heating, industrial machinery operation and agriculture.
Traditional energy resources like oil, coal, fire wood, and kerosene emit green house gases that deplete the ozone layer contributing to global warming. They are also non renewable and will soon run out.
Contents
what is green energy?
Green energy is that which comes from natural resources like wind, sunlight, tides, running water, and geothermal heat.
Advantages of green energy
1. Green energy is renewable which implies that it is naturally replenished and cannot be exhausted. It also thus known as renewable energy.
2. Green energy is clean and has no effect on the environment since it doesn’t release pollutants. It can also be called clean energy.
3. Green energy is also very cheap and can be accessed by people anywhere in the world. For example in rural Africa and remote villages, people are now using solar energy for lighting and cooking.
Types of green energy
1.Solar energy
This is energy which comes from the sun. It is collected using solar panels which have photovoltaic cells that trap sunlight and convert it to electricity. The captured energy can be stored in batteries and later used for cooking, lighting, and to run machines/ appliances like televisions and fridges.
Solar panels can be installed on house roofs, cars and on small appliances like torches which can be hang out in the sun to collect the energy during day time.
2. Hydroelectricity
Running water especially in rivers is used to generate this type of green energy. Running water or water collect in dams and reservoirs is forced through a narrow path at very high speed and made to run turbines that generate electricity.
Hydro electricity is very effective and one of the most commonly used types of energy in the world today.
3. Wind
Strong winds are used to generate electricity by running the blades of wind turbines making the rotary connected generator to produce electricity. wind energy is mostly used in the United States and European countries like German and Norway.
4. Biofuels
Organic plant/ animal matter can be converted into biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. Biofuel is used as fuel in vehicles, generators, and heating. It is also called renewable fuel.
5. Biogas
This is produced as a result of decomposition of organic waste like kitchen refuse, agricultural waste, and bad food in airtight containers( bio digesters) by bacterial and fungi. The produced methane gas is then used in homes for cooking, and lighting. The left over waste can be used as fertilizer in gardens.
6. Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is produced by heat from the earth’s crust that heats up rocks and water. Hot water and steam from geothermal hotspots like hot springs is collected and used to generate electricity by geothermal electric plants which is then used. this type of renewable energy is used in countries like; USA, China, and Ice land.
Bottomline
The effects of human activities on the earth have been extremely catastrophic and we can only reduce them by living green sustainable lifestyles. By consuming green energy in our daily lives, we can take the first step into ensuring the earth’s conservation
Traditional fossil fuels are also non renewable and will soon be exploited. Green energy is the future.