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Why Conserve?People conserve energy for all sorts of reasons. Some are concerned about future generations' access to fossil fuels. Others want this nation to be entirely self-sufficient. Three of the best reasons to conserve are to:  Save
money.Protect
the environment.Protect
human health.
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| Save Money By implementing a more-efficient energy system to reduce the pollutant emissions that cause global warming, energy costs could be reduced nationally by $530 per household each year. But you don't need to wait around for national plans to save money. Just by taking the conservation steps listed in this website, people can reduce their home heating, cooling and lighting costs by as much as 80%. To give one simple example, replacing an old incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb can save a person up to $67 in electricity costs over the course of the bulb's lifetime. |
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| Individuals can save even more money by using more fuel-efficient
vehicles. Over the course of 100,000 miles, a car that gets 40 miles per
gallon will save more than $3,000 in fuel costs compared with an SUV
that gets 20 miles per gallon. The new "hybrid" cars can get over
70 miles per gallon. (This is not to mention foot and pedal-power, which
use no gasoline at all!) People who conserve energy are people interested in spending their money wisely. |
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Protect the Environment Energy provides us with electricity, heat, transportation and more—modern conveniences that no one should have to do without. Unfortunately, some of the most common methods of energy production can cause serious environmental problems: Global warming is caused in part when gasoline-powered cars release gasses into the atmosphere.Acid
rain and mercury pollution are caused in part by the coal-powered electricity
plants that power many homes and businesses.Water
pollution and habitat destruction are caused in part by many mining
and drilling operations that extract fossil fuels from the Earth. Radioactive
waste is a byproduct of all nuclear power plants.Lucky for us, all sorts of clean, renewable energy sources are making their way onto the market. Some people already have access to things like solar power and hybrid cars, which have a significantly lower environmental impact than traditional technologies. And until green energy is further developed and becomes widespread, responsible individuals will continue to conserve to protect the environment. Conservation reduces pollution by significantly decrease the harmful gas emissions that cause global warming, acid rain, air pollution and more. |
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| Protect Your Health Ground-level ozone is brought on by pollution from vehicles, industry, consumer products and power plants. On particularly bad days, ground-level ozone can cause coughing, throat irritation, chest discomfort, reduced lung function and aggravated asthma. Children and the elderly are at particular risk for these breathing problems. One study estimates that 30,000 lives are cut short each year due to air pollution caused by electricity production alone. According to the EPA, electricity production also releases 81 tons of mercury—the most toxic heavy metal that exists—into the atmosphere each year. |
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| These problems already exist. With global warming, things
will only get worse. Global warming has already been associated with a rise
in insect populations that carry infectious diseases. Maladies like Dengue
Fever, malaria, cholera and encephalitis are predicted to spread. The extreme
weather brought on by global climate change also places people at risk.
Deaths brought on by flooding, storms and heat waves are expected to increase.
Conservation reduces the emissions that cause ground level ozone, mercury pollution and global warming—reductions in pollution that can save lives. Conserve for your health and the health of your children. |
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|Home| | Heating/Cooling
| |Transportation| |Landscaping|
|Why Conserve|
|Insulation| |Lighting| |Conservation
for Everyone|
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