Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation

• ““We do not inherit theWe do not inherit the
earth from ourearth from our
parents, we borrow itparents, we borrow it
from our children” –from our children” –
Chief SeattleChief Seattle

• Energy use hasEnergy use has
changed a great dealchanged a great deal
since people reliedsince people relied
solely on the sun,solely on the sun,
their own strongtheir own strong
bodies or beasts ofbodies or beasts of
burden as energyburden as energy
resources.resources.

• Long ago, peopleLong ago, people
learned how to uselearned how to use
water power to turnwater power to turn
paddle wheels andpaddle wheels and
wind power forwind power for
transportation andtransportation and
irrigation.irrigation.

• People learned to usePeople learned to use
the chemical energythe chemical energy
stored in materialsstored in materials
like wood to cook andlike wood to cook and
heat their homes.heat their homes.

• But machines andBut machines and
technologies introducedtechnologies introduced
during the Industrialduring the Industrial
Revolution of the lateRevolution of the late
1818thth
century requiredcentury required
the use of other energythe use of other energy
resources, especiallyresources, especially
fossil fuels.fossil fuels.

• Fossil fuels like coal,Fossil fuels like coal,
oil and natural gasoil and natural gas
are considered to beare considered to be
nonrenewable energynonrenewable energy
resources.resources.

• Our fossil fuel reservesOur fossil fuel reserves
formed over millions offormed over millions of
years from decayingyears from decaying
plants and animals.plants and animals.
• As we use them up,As we use them up,
they will not bethey will not be
replenished in ourreplenished in our
lifetimes.lifetimes.

• With the modern worldWith the modern world
depending upon coal, oildepending upon coal, oil
and gas for a majority ofand gas for a majority of
its energy needs and theits energy needs and the
prediction that the worldprediction that the world
will nearly double its needwill nearly double its need
for energy resources infor energy resources in
several decades, it isseveral decades, it is
important to conserveimportant to conserve
energy and to investigateenergy and to investigate
alternate energyalternate energy
resourcesresources

• There are manyThere are many
renewable energyrenewable energy
sources that aresources that are
alternatives to fossil fuels,alternatives to fossil fuels,
but some are not withoutbut some are not without
controversy.controversy.
• For instance, nuclearFor instance, nuclear
power is used to generatepower is used to generate
about 25 percent of theabout 25 percent of the
world’s electricity, but itworld’s electricity, but it
has inherent risks,has inherent risks,
especially in the disposalespecially in the disposal
of radioactive waste.of radioactive waste.

• Hydroelectric plants use running water to generateHydroelectric plants use running water to generate
electricity, however they may flood nearby lands and canelectricity, however they may flood nearby lands and can
disrupt the normal flow of water, both of which negativelydisrupt the normal flow of water, both of which negatively
affect the environment.affect the environment.

• Wind power isWind power is
increasingly beingincreasingly being
used as a cleanused as a clean
source of renewablesource of renewable
energy.energy.
• Turbines harvest windTurbines harvest wind
on wind farms andon wind farms and
generate electricity.generate electricity.

• Solar power is a promising, renewable energySolar power is a promising, renewable energy
resource than can be turned into electricity, andresource than can be turned into electricity, and
it is used in many toys and even home heating.it is used in many toys and even home heating.

• Many other alternativeMany other alternative
energy sources likeenergy sources like
geothermal power, whichgeothermal power, which
draws upon the earth’sdraws upon the earth’s
natural heat, andnatural heat, and
biomass, which producesbiomass, which produces
an alternative to gasoline,an alternative to gasoline,
are being considered inare being considered in
the movement away fromthe movement away from
fossil fuel dependence.fossil fuel dependence.

• In our everyday lives, we can also work to conserve energy.In our everyday lives, we can also work to conserve energy.
– Insulating, turning off lights and only using appliances like dishwashersInsulating, turning off lights and only using appliances like dishwashers
when they are full are just some of the ways people can limit energy usewhen they are full are just some of the ways people can limit energy use
in their homes.in their homes.
– Also, carpooling, bicycling, and taking public transportation are effectiveAlso, carpooling, bicycling, and taking public transportation are effective
energy-saving ideas.energy-saving ideas.

• The earth’sThe earth’s
inhabitants must takeinhabitants must take
a serious look ata serious look at
energy resources,energy resources,
use and conservation.use and conservation.