Habitat for Health | Resources

For a very long time, we have relied on fossil fuels. It provides heat to our homes, gas for our cars and electricity. Since we are now using it more than ever, there is a consequence. We are depleting our resources and slowly killing our planet. Fortunately, we can change our ways and then shift our attention to green energy sources.

Green energy sources are not a cure but they will help. Green energy sources offer many advantages. Advantages that we will not get without changing our habits. Some argue that green energy is too hard to generate. True as that might be, there are many different types of green energy sources. We just have to identify those that are viable, according to geographic location.

The various green energy sources such as solar, wind, wave, hydropower and geothermal do not produce anything harmful which may have a negative effect on the environment. This is the exact opposite of what you get when you continue to operate a coal or nuclear power plant.

Fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide as a by-product. Individual coal plants do not put off much carbon dioxide. Until you consider, there are 50,000 coal plants around the world. It is estimated that this number will only increase. If we do not reverse this trend, we may not have a world.

Many say nuclear power is a reliable solution. No one disputes that nuclear power does produce a large amount of energy. The dispute is whether or not we are effectively and safely disposing of the spent nuclear rods. We also have to consider nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. These incidents were many years ago. We have gotten better at containment; however, it only takes one accident.

Every fuel source requires maintenance, including green energy. All energy production sources have maintenance costs. Ethanol production still requires corn to be refined at a refinery. Windmills are mechanical machines. They have parts that must be maintained. Even with these maintenance costs, green energy is still more attractive than fossil fuels.

Green energy is renewable. Probably the most important advantage to green energy. Unlike fossil fuels, we will not run out of green energy. Since the beginning of the universe, the Sun’s rays have reached the Earth. As these rays reach the earth they produce wind. Every time we use green energy, we are moving closer to breaking our addiction to fossil fuels.

If you think about it, many of us have taken these green energy sources for granted. If we do the right thing now, future generations will not have to face the mess that we could have handled on our own years before.

It is easy to talk about how concerned we are about the environment but you have to ask yourself when will more solar panels or wind turbines will be erected? When will the number of coal or nuclear power plants be reduced?

Green energy is a viable alternative to fossil fuels. While there are maintenance costs, green energy is renewable. We are past due for action, rather than talk. You have the power in your hands. It is possible to have home made energy. You just have to decide whether you want to commit or continue to spew toxins into the environment.