When we save energy, we also save money. For it reduces the demand for fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Such fuels form nonrenewable energy sources.
So the more we use them the less there is to go around. If we depend solely on them we will reach a point where we will go energy- bankrupt. This is why a lot of research is being done on alternative sources of energy which are also renewable. For instance, wind and solar power are renewable.
The sun and the winds are always part of our life. And they are abundantly available in many countries. Also, such energy is clean energy which does not emit carbon dioxide, the main culprit in global warming. Today there are many energy- efficient alternatives for all kinds of appliances. So we have the power to make better choices for reducing our consumption of energy.
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There are many ways to conserve energy. Instead of using incandescent bulbs, we can use CFLs (compact fluorescent bulbs). They use only one-fourth the energy of the former and last 8-12 times longer. Instead of taking the car for every occasion, we can walk, take the bus or train, or join carpools. Every gallon saved reduces 22 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
We could also buy smaller, fuel-efficient cars instead of big gas guzzlers. We should try to avoid the use of plastic by buying reusable products instead of disposable ones. We should recycle as much as possible. For each pound of waste reduced or recycled, we can save energy and reduce C02 emissions by 1 pound. We must also try to reduce the garbage we generate daily.
We must plant trees which give shade. Green buildings which use natural light and energy- efficient materials save a lot of energy by reducing the need for more lights and air-conditioners, central heating, etc. On March 28, India observed Earth Hour day, when people all over India switched off lights for one hour from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm. In other countries too, people did the same. It was part of a campaign for action on climate change. The concept of Earth Hour was born in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Today it spans 65 countries.