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I drove to the pump the other day in 104 degrees of swelter, just to fill my tank with $7 per-gallon petrol. As I stood sweating, I contemplated the irony of paying this price for the very thing fueling our warming planet.
Fossil fuels power most of our transportation, our communities, and our homes. We’re paying a great price for our current Climate Crisis by depending on fossil fuels.
Climate change is a major challenge globally, and the consequences are impacting the world at a much faster rate than predicted. Most Americans live in a place impacted by a climate disaster just in the last year. Wildfires, extreme heat, floods, drought, and superstorms are ravaging our lives and threatening our financial future and food security.
This has led to many initiatives around the world, such as the United States of America, which has set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and produce electricity that is 100% carbon and pollution-free by 2035.
The US National Climate Task Force warns, “This is the decisive decade for the world to confront climate change and avoid the worst, irreversible impacts of this crisis.”
This is no fault of a political party or a single person. It’s our responsibility and a personal imperative to change our lifestyles now.
What can we do as individuals to contribute to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions that fire this crisis?
Consider renewable energy sources right at home and in your community. When you use energy in your homes, such as heat or electricity, it is typically generated by fossil fuels. Fossil fuels release greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other toxic chemicals. Trapping heat in Earth’s atmosphere warming the planet just like a tightly sealed greenhouse.
Switching to renewable energy sources is a great chance to make your home sustainable and self-sufficient, lower your energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
Solar energy is a bright idea
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The sun is the most important source of energy for life on Earth. We orbit around this perfect ball of hot plasma, fueled by nuclear fusion that radiates energy and light. Not many people know, but you can generate energy from the sun using solar power, such as solar panels.
Solar panels can be installed on your roof or property to receive the energy from the sun’s rays during daylight hours and convert it into electricity to power your home. The electricity that isn’t used can be sent back to the grid or stored in batteries. Once the upfront costs have been made, you’ll be self-sufficient and reduce your carbon footprint.
Think you can’t afford it or don’t know how?
The US Homeowner’s Guide to Tax Credits for Solar Photovoltaics provides an overview of federal and state tax incentives available for residential solar energy seekers.
The US Department of Energy provides a free SolarAPP+ tool to make it easier for local governments across the country to quickly approve and permit solar projects.
Check out the Solar Power in Your Community guidebook which contains case studies and ways to reduce market barriers that have been field-tested around the country.
The National Community Solar Partnership plans to enable community solar systems to power the equivalent of five million households by 2025 and create $1 billion in energy bill savings.
Wind turbines – help you pass the gas.
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Wind turbines are located all over the world, typically in wide-open spaces due to their humungous size. But small wind electric systems are one of the most cost-effective home-based renewable energy systems — with zero emissions and pollution
If you have enough wind in your area and the geographical conditions are right small wind electric systems can lower your electricity bills by 50%–90% and provide power through outages.
The market is changing rapidly for small wind turbines that can easily be used at home. They can be installed on your property, with a free-standing pole. If you’ve got enough wind to power a small turbine you can pass the greenhouse gas.
Conserve energy save money
A typical family spends about $2,000 a year on home energy bills. A lot of that is squandered away through leaky windows, ducts, old appliances, and inefficient heating and cooling systems.
Check out the Energy Saver Do-It-Yourself Savings Project for tips to easily improve your home energy efficiency – especially if you’ve switched to renewables.
Renewable energy sources are the future of a sustainable livable world. The power of nature doesn’t cost the earth, it sustains peace, the planet, and people.
Will it get here in time? Perhaps if you begin at home.
I disagree no political party is to blame. Republicans denial of climate change has been a huge obstacle to confronting the problem. Democrats have moved too slowly but at least they recognize the problem.
I know, but if all we do is blame we get no where. This requires unity in thought and action. No matter what your political leaning when the flood waters and wildfires carry your life away its time to think as a species. Not as a party. I get it Ron and appreciate your passion.