Self-Sustainable Living: Why?

One of the biggest, but not most obvious reasons for switching to renewable energy is that it will pay for itself. One of the first things people think about when they make an investment is price; Sure acquiring renewable energy such as solar power right now may not be cheap but as a matter of fact during the duration of 2009-2014 the price of solar power dropped 78%(Gardiner)! The best part about solar power is that it is available to nearly anyone. Likewise wind power has also dropped 58% in price and now is among one of the cheapest sources of power in the United States (Gardiner) even though wind power is not available to the ordinary citizen. Switching to renewable energy will save a boat load of money as the article “Committing to Renewable Energy Will Pay Off” states “Investing in a renewable energy as the source for electricity in our future will save 10 times the

In his book, Living Off the Grid:A Simple Guide to Creating and Maintaining a Self-Reliant Supply of Energy, Water, Shelter and More (2008) Dave Black lists the following eight reasons many people are choosing to go off grid in America today: There is no grid available, to minimize environmental impact of the grid and leave a smaller carbon footprint, to avoid utility costs, saving money by lowering bills, emergency insurance, entertainment of an intelligent mind, reducing use of fossil fuels, and public image. He goes on to explain that whatever reason or reasons a person may choose to go off grid there is a long list of realities that one must face in relation to such an undertaking. Ability, location, shelter, laws, resources needed,

The article “The Island in the Wind” written by Elizabeth Kolbert shows that an island can generate clean electricity for its entire population, and hopes the world can too. On the Danish island of Samso lives a population of people who have learned the importance of their environment. In a decade they have switched from being an entirely coal and fossil fuel run island, to producing all of their energy from wind on their own island. Not only are they producing all of their energy yet they are yielding so much that they can export energy to other areas. “ By 2001, fossil-fuel use on Samso had been cut in half. By 2003, instead of importing electricity, the island was exporting it, and by 2005 it was producing from renewable sources more energy

(c) Clients can replicate these processes at home, by creating Hydroponic Greenhouse Gardens, and providing fruits and vegetable for their families. Also by hooking their home power grid to renewable energy sources, they can reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.

The 150-year-old cottage, a paint-peeling two story clapboard, came complete with a detached kitchen and maid’s quarters tucked behind.The four-sided wrap-around porch, half screened, half open, housed wooden rockers, ping pong table, two hammocks and a kid’s dining table. We had arrived at Pawley’s Island, SC, a strip of land three miles long and one house wide. The island included only single-family homes, a couple of boarding houses, an Episcopal Church and weather-beaten wooden pier. Our two-week multi-family vacation, one of many for the next fifteen years, was paid for with ninety-one year old Damo’s sudden royalties from an old dormant coal mine.

Alternative energy is more affordable and creates more jobs per dollar invested than fossil fuel resources (Wright). Another wonderful thing about alternative energy is that the facilities use primarily local workers, so investment dollars are kept in local communities (Wright). Alternative energy also has more stable rates and provides long-tem savings. Basically once a wind or solar facility is installed, the "fuel" is essentially free, but fossil fuels are subject extremely unpredictable prices that can lead to significant fluctuations in energy rates (Wright). The price-stability benefits offered by homegrown renewable energy provide a clear more long-term advantage for utilities and their customers over the uncertainties associated with fossil fuels like natural gas and

To begin, many Canadian households in today’s society lack the focus to conserve energy with

One of the most vigorously debated topics is the issue of sustainability. These include climate change, overpopulation, pollution, and ignorance to the damage being done to the environment. The climate that all living things have come to rely upon is changing because of global warming. Today, sustainability has become a focal point and a significant part of life. Sustainability is defined as the ability to meet current environmental, ecological, economics, social and cultural needs without risking the ability of future generations to meet those same needs. What does the Best American Science Wtg. 2014 teach us about sustainability, and what makes the paradigm shift to a sustainable planet? These different authors explain with example how sustainability can be achieved and also the different points of views that exist. “TV as birth control,” by Fred Pearce, “Why the brain prefers paper,” by Ferris Jabrs, “Bringing them back to life,” by Carl Zimmer and “A race to save the orange by altering its DNA”, by Amy Harmon’s – reveals that cultural sustainability involves efforts to preserve the actual and evasive cultural elements of sociality such as heritage, educational opportunities and public policies, in way that promote environmental, economic and social sustainability.

It is inevitable that comes one day, finite source of energy will be depleted, and for this reason, there is a need to shift to a renewable source of energy. On the other hand, renewable source of energy is not the current solution because of technology and capital hindrance. However, there is nuclear power as an alternative of a clean finite source of energy. On the other hand, McCright and Dunlap (2011) argue that people should implement measures that cut the amount of energy required. These measures include recycling and reusing, change lighting and use that conserve energy.

A major part of living sustainably is using clean and renewable energy sources for as much as possible.(3) Wind, water, and the sun all provide an alternative to fossil fuels which harm the environment through carbon emissions and pollution. Sources such as oil and natural gas can not be replenished quickly, where as solar energy or hydropower can be harvested regularly with little to no effect on the environment. One way to become green in everyday life is to make your home sustainable.(4) A sustainable home should be constructed of recycled or natural, environmentally friendly materials, and renewable energy sources should be utilized. Its important that the construction process as well as the building itself impacts the surrounding environment as little as possible. In addition to living in a sustainable home, eating green can reduce the impact on the natural world. Because the meat production industry uses so many resources and can often harm the environment through waste pollution, many people who eat sustainably decide to be vegetarian. Organic and locally grown vegetables are far better for the sustainable movement compared to factory farm produce due to pesticides used and the negative effect factory farming can have on soil composition and erosion.(3) Even with a sustainable personal life, work takes up much of society’s time and sustainable practices should be brought to

All cities and suburbs of the united states have to become 30% powered by renewable energy by 2020 and 50% by 2025 and 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040. There is already a ton of people that have already switched over rot renewable energy sources such as Austin, Texas which is almost completely powered by a wind farm. Costa Rica is 99% powered by renewable energy. The U.S. has to get rid of all the unnecessary fossil fuel that are not needed. Coal and oil is so bad and toxic for us to breath in says Muthena Naseri,

The world and its great variety of places have had an impact on my life, but only one has turned me into the person I am today. My home, Zapzalka Farms, is the foundation of my life. Who would have thought a small farm just four miles north of the little town called Bowlus would teach a young man so many valuable lessons about working hard and strong moral values? Looking in from the driveway, I see the house where I grew up, the two story structure composed of 115 year old crusty yellow concrete brick surrounded by flower beds and 50 foot cedar trees. This house has helped me through everything, from birthday parties as a child, to writing Comp papers as a student, I do not know where I would be without it. As I make my way down the driveway surrounded by seven foot cornfields like a mouse searching its

What do we know about our energy sources and how our energy choices affect the environment? Many people still do not put much though into this topic or pay any attention to the amount of energy they use or where it comes from. For some it is just willful negligence, but for many others it may be due to a lack of knowledge on the subject. Perhaps it is a good idea to pay closer attention and educate ourselves so we can make informed decisions that may lead to less stress on our wallets and on our environment. In order to make a change, we should observe our currently used energy sources in everyday life, the impact of increasing energy uses, and observe all of the alternative options available to us.

Renewable energy may seem like a daunting task, but the benefits to humanity could be incredible. Public uses of renewable energy range from transportation all the way to heating and cooling. Everything we use could become less explosive and less expensive. Cities with a high concentration of people could become safer and healthier places to live. Transportation could be converted to electricity dramatically, improving smog conditions. Global warming may or may not

Wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass provide so much benefit for our climate, health and our economy. As many reliable energy’s rise on demand and expense like oil, coal, natural gas and nonrenewable fossil fuel that draw on limited resources which will eventually diminish. Looking at all the power plants and the millions of cars that exist in the streets today and many more technologies and industries that are polluting the air it is safe to say we may be going the wrong way into saving the world our kids will grow into. People and many utilities need to focus on the positive outcome of renewable energy. Like the good it brings on stable energy price, improvements on public health as well as the prevention of global warming discharge, jobs and other economic benefits.