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Environmentally Safe Homes - EnergyEnergy is of course what Murfreesboro Electric Department sells in the form of electricity. Energy allows us to cook, keep food cool and heat water. Ultimately, energy must be taken from the environment in order to feed those needs. If we can learn to use energy wisely, we can limit the impact our needs have on the environment, cut costs and stretch natural resources farther. Energy Sources There are many sources of energy in our world, one of the most common is fossil fuel. The gasoline that powers our cars and the natural gas many people cook with are examples of fossil fuels. Unfortunately, these sources of energy release pollution as a result of their use. Electric cars seem to be a solution, but since power plants also use fossil fuels to generate electricity, these often times simply relocate the source of pollution. Hydroelectric dams seem to be a clean and efficient source of energy, but they must alter the environment of large bodies of water in order to function. Furthermore, there are only so many places to build dams in the United States and most are complete. Nuclear energy also seems to be a clean source of energy since it releases no pollution during operation. However, a malfunction at a nuclear plan can cause severe environmental contamination. Even without a malfunction, the spent fuel that results from this type of energy production is extremely hazardous. Alternative energy sources such as solar (sunlight), geothermal (using the earth's heat) and tidal forces are available. Unfortunately, these sources are limited geographically and are not economically feasible at this time. Clearly, the best path we have today is conservation. Energy Conservation Small changes in your daily life can have a big impact over time. Recycling materials eliminates the need to create them from scratch and uses less energy than manufacturing. In many cases the cost is ultimately higher to recycle, but scientists are working to eliminate this problem. Using our transportation wisely is another habit we should get into. By carpooling we save money on fuel, parking and automotive repairs. We also save energy by only driving one car instead of four or five. Public transportation takes carpooling a step further by offering many people an inexpensive source of daily transportation to and from common stops. Lastly, energy efficient cars with good gas mileage should be used for daily commuting. A muscle car might be a fun weekend drive, but it's inefficient and impractical for daily commuting. Since the 1970's the United States government has begun to regulate gas consumption to some extent by requiring manufacturers to maintain an average mileage rating for all the cars they make. Caught between these regulations and the consumers desire for adequately powered automobiles, manufacturers have begun to build engines that use fuel more efficiently than ever. Ultimately, the argument for using transportation wisely is not a difficult one to debate. With examples like Los Angeles, where a haze of smog hangs constantly over the city, it's obvious to anyone that something needs to be done. |
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