Why use sustainable energy

LIVING SUSTAINABLY

30 Mar Why use sustainable energy

Posted at 17:32h in Sustainable Energy by
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“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” 

Steve Jobs

 

IT IS POSSIBLE

In my search for the possibilities, I learned most importantly, that all the tools and knowledge we require exist and are more and more readily available, What joy!

In addition, the Dutch organisation URGENDA provides practical tips and actual support to businesses and individuals to help realize a society that uses 100% sustainable energy. Many people still can’t see or believe that it is actually possible. So, the more we share this knowledge, the more we help ourselves, each other and the planet.

URGENCY IN USING SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

The availability of fossil fuels is becoming depleted. The use of them pollutes our atmosphere in such a way that the earth, as organism, is experiencing serious damage.

The good news? We can actually do something about it! Not only that, we MUST do something about it if we want to ensure the next generations a ‘normal’ earth.

“Well, that is nothing new”, you’d say. Before I continue with the possibilities (for everyone!), first the ‘why’ explained:

WHY?

  1. Sustainable energy is better for the environment and contributes toward a cleaner world. Choosing green energy therefore is choosing for the future and for a livable climate for future generations.
  2. When there is more sustainable energy, you are not dependant on fossil fuels anymore such as oil, natural gas and coal. These fossil fuels will also be depleted in time, so regardless we’ll have to look at alternatives.
  3. Because every country can generate sustainable energy, it no longer is necessary to import oil from other countries.
  4. Sustainable sources are accessible to everybody. Sun, water and wind you’ll find anywhere. This makes, for instance, possible to generate your own energy with solar panels placed on the roof of your house. Before long your initial investment is paid for through the savings you make generating your own energy and from then on, it will be free.
  5. You may also generate sustainable energy and provide the excess of it back to the grid. The yield is deducted from your own consumption. In addition, there are new energy companies that deliver this returned energy to households that do not generate energy themselves, but choose green electricity.
Source: OnlineVergelijker

 

According to URGENDA, we can achieve 100% sustainable energy usage in 2030 in the Netherlands

And don’t be mistaken. If we don’t achieve this, the earth will have warmed-up 1.5°C. This will have severe impact on many aspects. So, join in. It is possible!

PARTICIPATE: IT IS POSSIBLE NOW  

1. WHAT CAN I DO – LIVE DIFFERENTLY

  1. Every new piece of equipment I buy, is energy efficient
  2. All my lamps will be led light
  3. I isolate what is necessary and affordable.
  4. I generate energy with solar panels
  5. I stop using natural gas and will heat my house differently
  6. I collect warm water from my (shed) roof with a sun collector and boiler.
  7. I am going to use electricity to cook (induction or infrared)
  8. I am going to generate energy collectively in my neighbourhood (sun, wind) for instance with a sustainable energy corporation, and also receive my electricity from them.  

 

2. WHAT CAN I DO – TRAVEL DIFFERENTLY FROM A TO B

  1. When I travel less than 20km, I take my (electric) bike as much as possible
  2. I’ll share my car from often or participate in a share-car project
  3. My next (share) car will be electric
  4. I’ll travel (more often) with public transit (and public transit will become electric!)
  5. Inside of Europe, I will not take a plane when travelling less than 1500km
  6. By working from home and telephone conferencing, I will travel less

 

3. WHAT CAN I DO – EAT DIFFERENTLY

  1. I eat more vegetables and vegetable proteins and a few days a week I don’t eat meat
  2. I mainly buy seasonal regional produce/food
  3. I am going to buy smartly and throw-out less
  4. I only buy fish that is ‘green’ on the fish guide and I substitute fish oil for algae
  5. When I eat meat, it does not come from bio-industry (in the bio-industry, the focus is on producing as much as possible kilos of meat, milk or eggs for as little as possible time, money and effort)
  6. With my shopping behaviour, I support products that are (relatively) sustainable

 

4. WHAT CAN I DO – PRODUCE DIFFERENTLY

  1. Before I throw-out things, I look at the possibility of repairing or recycling it
  2. My company doesn’t use oil as resource but only green raw materials
  3. My company uses sustainable energy
  4. I choose a profession or company that fits in the circular economy of the future (circular economy is an economic system that is intended to maximize the reusability of products and raw materials and to minimize value distruction)
  5. I am going to create/get more myself eg with 3D-printer
  6. I become a critical consumer and want to know what I am buying and how it is made

 

5. WHAT CAN I DO – GENERATE ENERGY DIFFERENTLY

  1. I generate sustainable energy myself where possible, on the roof, in the garden etc
  2. I participate in a collective windmill
  3. I participate in large-scale solar energy projects
  4. I vote for parties that support solar and wind energy
  5. I want netting (energy supplier offsets the energy they supply one-on-one with the energy you supply back) to remain private
  6. I am member of a local sustainable energy cooperative and buy green (your country- eg Dutch) energy
Source: Urgenda Sustainable Energy Manual - Dutch

 

EVERY LITTLE BIT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

So, if everyone participates, our world will look more beautiful and cleaner in 2030, guaranteed.

Complete answers you will find on the Urgenda site. The manual is in Dutch only, as far as I know. It is very practical. 

THIS IS WHAT 100% SUSTAINABLE ENERGY IN 2030 LOOKS LIKE

Example above for the Netherlands by Urgenda

 

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