Energy Choices
Clean
The fossil fuel based energy production is dirty. It pollutes the air, harms the environment, impacts human health and most importantly affects the climate leading to Global warming. Energy produced from sun, wind , biofuels and ocean currents that reduces emissions of air pollutants and green house gases, and yet improves reliability and security of our energy system is considered Clean Energy. Clean energy is also called by other names, including ‘green energy’ for its relation with nature, ‘soft energy’ because it is kind to the environment and ‘reusable energy’ because it uses resources that will not be diminished.
Renewable
The term renewable energy generally refers to electricity supplied from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower, and various forms of biomass. These energy sources are considered renewable sources because they are continuously replenished on the Earth. These renewable resources are replenishable in our lifetime and have less harmful impacts to the environment than traditional energy such as the burning of fossil fuels. Today you can reduce your dependence on old fashioned dirty coal or nuclear power by either buying a solar or wind system for your home or business.
Efficient
Energy Efficiency is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used while achieving a similar outcome of end use (for instance replacing incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent or LED bulb). By being energy efficient, individuals and organisations that are direct consumers of energy, reduce costs and protect the environment. Industrial and commercial users increase efficiency and maximise profit. Encouraging energy conservation among consumers is often advocated as a cheaper or more environmentally sensitive alternative to increased energy production.
Sustainable
Sustainability relates to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society. It is a way of organising human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, for the very long term. Sustainable energy sources are energy sources which are not expected to be depleted in a timeframe relevant to the human race, and which, therefore, contribute to the sustainability of all species. Sustainable energy sources are most often regarded as including all renewable sources.
Democratic
Democratic energy means an energy system where the consumer can become a producer, where power plants are located near where the energy is consumed, and where the decisions about the structure of the energy system is made in large part by those who will feel the impact of those decisions.
Decentralised
A decentralised renewable energy based system sees everyday buildings playing host to devices such as solar panels, small wind turbines and combined heat and power boilers, which generate electricity as well as providing heat and hot water. The electricity created would be used directly by the house or workplace, and the surplus would be fed into a local network. This electricity would then be locally distributed, avoiding the significant loss that occurs when electricity is transported long distances.
Pictures courtesy sxc.hu.
The Global State of Renewables
A report, from the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, shows that globally, the use of renewables has increased. Read more about it here.