Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Clean energy solutions
Our earth is a big ball of energy!
What is clean energy?
Clean energy is any source of fuel or energy that comes from nature and is a not a finite source. In other words, it comes from resources that are not easily depleted, or in many cases cannot be used up at all. Such clean energy sources include wind, sunshine, rain and tides. According to a 2010 report published by the Renewable Energy Policy Network, renewable energy made up 19% of the world’s fuel in 2008.
One of the most popular forms of clean energy comes from wind. Wind power is used to generate energy in many countries around Europe. Solar power stations (which use energy from the sun) are becoming more and more common in the US also.
Clean energy is increasing due to concerns about non renewable fuels running out, along with the extremely high cost of non renewable fuels. Oil prices reached a peak of $145 per barrel in 2008 and these price increases have caused widespread concern.
Renewable energy is cheaper and decreasing in cost, whereas non renewable energy is expensive and the cost seems to be increasing.
Why use it instead of normal fuel?
The fuels we use now such as oil, coal and gas are not renewable. Every day, these supplies are dwindling around the world. They will eventually be gone. This may not happen during our lifetime, but the generations born after us will certainly suffer with this. So, it may be smart to cop on and take responsibility safeguard ing the finite sources we have, as well as trying to work with alternative renewable fuels.
How you can help:
- Buy solar panels and arrange to get them fitted in your home. These can be used to heat water. They can even be used during winter, as Ireland does get some sunshine then! A quick Google search will connect you to a few companies in Ireland that install solar panels.
- Lobby the Irish government to start using more clean energy. In particular, Ireland’s climate is ideally suited to wind power.
- Email minister@environ.ie and ask him to get thinking about and moving towards the usage of wind power in Ireland.
- Choose a company that uses the cleanest fuels and does its best to avoid wastage of the very valuable non renewable fuels (if you have a choice of electricity/gas providers).
- Dry your clothes outside in the sun rather than in the dryer. Giddy-up for the clothes horse!
- Solar cooking. Like bringing the fun of a campfire to the kitchen!
- Get green in the home which saves on usage of non renewable fuels.
- Volunteer your time with Mother Earth. The lads at ECO-UNESCO always have great opportunities to get involved.
Further Information:
www.epa.ie/
www.foe.ie/
www.askaboutireland.ie
