> Alternative Energy

Breaking Dependence on Non-renewable Energy

Perhaps the number one biggest way in which we could feel empowered is to reduce our reliance on oil and electricity.  

Have you ever considered what would happen if we did run out of oil or if your supply of electricity was permanently cut?

If you live on the West Coast of North America you regularly experience “brown-outs” in the summer when the demand is bigger than supply.  If you are from the East Coast perhaps you remember the power outage a few years ago that extended across the entire Eastern Seaboard all the way into Canada?

In either case, we are very dependent on oil and electric energy and when we are without energy we become unable to do many things that we usually take for granted.

In terms of supply and demand, this relates directly to the concept of renewable versus nonrenewable energy.

Renewable energy, of course, comes from supplies that can be replenished, and nonrenewable energy does not: so when it’s gone it’s gone for good!

So what’s the big deal you might wonder?

As a start, there are often environmental differences between the two different types of energy:

Wind and solar power, for example, create almost no harmful side effects on the environment.

They are also free (once the equipment is purchased and the maintenance costs are accounted for) and available to virtually anybody.

Nonrenewable sources of energy are more expensive precisely because they are nonrenewable and as supply diminishes price goes up. Perhaps you have noticed recent trends where gas prices rise because of increased trouble in the middle-East?

Then, it could also be said that these types of energies are not accessible to all (especially the poor).

So, renewable energy becomes very attractive for several reasons:

• After the initial investment of equipment you don’t pay monthly bills
• It’s often better for the environment
• You have an endless supply that is readily accessible to anybody.

The notion of using renewable energy is also very closely associated to the idea of being “sustainable”. 

The term sustainable means different things depending on the context which it is used in, but generally, sustainability could be defined as finding a balance such that “what goes in equals what goes out and a harmony is achieved so that this cycle can be perpetuated indefinitely”.

A classic example of this occurs when we look at the environmental ecosystem. If we take resources from nature and then take even more without ever replacing them, then we are not acting in a sustainable way for that system.

Unfortunately, there are far too many examples of unsustainable practices related to using natural resources (mostly for making products to sell.)

Consider the consequences of cutting down forests without re-planting more trees or over-fishing without providing enough time for the fish stocks to replenish.

Recycling, reducing, and reusing are all related to helping maintain a sustainable balance with nature as they help to perpetuate the flow of materials through the system.

We often hear the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” and now a new term has arisen FreeCycle.

FreeCycle is a great idea that involves putting in a step between buying something, using it, and then throwing it out.

FreeCycle tries to connect people throwing things out to people who might need those things, thus reducing the amount of stuff that ends up in landfill sites.

Here some other easy energy-saving tips:

• Fix any leaky faucets;
• Put a brick in your toilet tank so it uses less water;
• Wash laundry in cold water;
• Use an indoor drying rack or an outdoor clothes line;
• Install low-energy light-bulbs (they’re also safer because they don’t get as hot as regular light-bulbs!);
• Install a water-saving shower faucet;
• Collect rainwater to water your garden;
• Water lawn early in the morning or in the evening when the temperature is cooler and the water wont evaporate as quickly;
• Turn your heat down during the day when no one is home;
• Close the shades during hot summer days to help keep your home cooler;
• Put extra insulation in your house as it will help lower your heating bill;
• Use low-energy appliances;
• Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.

Building Green

Designing and building your own house can be a very uplifting and rewarding experience.

A trend of late has been towards “green building”.

Green building often involves working with the surrounding land in the design of the home (and even using some of the resources located there in the construction of the building) and using building supplies that are green such as low-toxic paint and natural flooring. But, it might also involve designing the house to run on renewable energy and re-circulate grey water.

If you are considering building a new home you might want to consider green building because of its many advantages:

• Green building construction can be cheaper because some local materials are used;
• The house is better integrated with the existing natural landscape;
• The house might be cheaper to heat;
• If you re-circulate grey water your water bills might be cheaper;
• If you use solar or wind power your electricity bills would be lower
• You will be protecting the environment;
• The house will be a healthier place to live because of the nontoxic materials used to construct it.

Green Roofs:

One option available to both people who live in cities or in the country is to have a "green roof". A green roof is partially or completely covered with various plants.

There are many compelling reasons to consider using this type of roof. A green roof can:

• reduce storm water runoff 
• prolong the lifespan of the roof
• act as a sound insulator to make the building quieter
• create a natural habitat for birds
• clean the air by filtering out pollutants and adding oxygen back into the atmosphere
• help reduce urban air temperature in the summer
• provide an outdoor recreational space
• provide a space to grow food
• help reduce the overall heating and cooling costs of the building

Housing Co-op and Intentional Community:

Also, sometimes, when one family or person doesn’t have the resources to do this alone or they prefer a strong sense of community then they might form a housing co-op or intentional community.

There are many practical advantages to this type of living arrangement model, including:

• Initial building costs are shared, making individual contributions affordable
• A sense of community can flourish
• A purpose or intention can be jointly pursued (such as spiritual development or artistic endeavors)
• Community parenting eases the strain on individual families
• Reduces urban sprawl in some cases
• Reduces commuting in some cases