Go Greener Tips

Well, if it isn’t enough that the Europeans and various other parts of the world consider us to be “Ugly Americans,” each one of us need to do are part for the environment. Did you know that America only makes up 4% of the world’s population, but consumes of around 25% of the world’s power. It doesn’t matter if you think we’re greedy, need a lesson in green energy, or simply Americans are ugly when it comes to energy, the point is it’s time to change.

Needless to say this is quite embarrassing, especially when you consider most Europeans have cut down on traditional forms of energy. A great example of this is when the European Union announced their plans to reduce CO2 levels by 20% before 2020. This means several companies will have to work together and utilize other forms of power such as solar and wind. Billions have already been invested in this product by Germany, Great Britain, and the Netherlands (as well as others), in hopes of changing the world.

Do you know what the Americans did? Uhm, absolutely nothing. Instead our politicians spent countless hours arguing over whether this is a viable problem. Without an agreement it means there is no new legislation, and without legislation we are left looking like the bad guy in the world’s eyes. The truth is our politicians are missing the point. Even if climate change wasn’t a real issue, we are still consuming a quarter of the world’s energy. This is really embarrassing, and the only way to control it is by utilizing all the alternatives that are right in front of us everyday.

So in order to change our country and help the world, it’s up to us to make the change ourselves. We have to work together and show all of our politicians that this is the answer. Granted, it’s not going to be an easy task, but it starts with you. When you realize the benefits and see the difference, your word of mouth will spread to others, and eventually we can all consume less energy, save money on bills, and help the environment.

Solar energy – With the recent increases in electricity prices throughout the United States, it just makes sense to install solar electricity panels at home. Not only is solar power clean, sustainable and free, it is also less expensive to install than it’s ever been. In fact many people with solar panels find that they can depend on them for all or most of their electricity needs. The only drawback is that solar power does not produce electricity on cloudy days or at night. That is why many people who’ve invested in solar panels also choose to put in a wind turbine as well.

Wind Turbines – While most people believe wind turbines are only for big farmland, the truth is they are nothing more than small windmills to produce electricity. They are often used in combination with solar electricity and are efficient at producing their own. This is just one of the many reasons why the Europeans have invested heavily in them. Then of course they are also inexpensive. If you want to install one for your home it’s only a few hundred dollars. Plus, they’re as close to maintenance free option as you can get.

Hybrid Cars – Many people are reluctant to purchase hybrid cars since they are more expensive than your traditional vehicles. However, if you take a look at the big picture, it won’t be long before you get that money back by saving on gas. It’s quite possible to save around $1,500 a year in gas. What would you do with an extra $1,500 in your pocket? Then of course over a 10 year span you would be saving $15,000.

Fluorescent Lights – This may sound crazy, but simply placing your regular lights with fluorescent versions can definitely be more energy efficient. While you may not see a huge decline in your electricity costs upfront, over time you will realize the difference. These can last up to 10,000 hours, which is 10 times more than your average bulb. Best of all they can be recycled when they’ve been completely used.

Energy Efficient Windows – Taking the time to check the construction of your windows is extremely important at any time of the year. During the winter months your heat bill could run higher due to it taking longer to warm up your home. Why? These bad windows will allow the heat to seep out of your home and keep the electric running longer.

What it comes down to is you have to think about all your options when it comes to green power. While you would benefit more by using them all, we understand you might just want to start out with one or two. However, by doing this and sharing it with others, Americans will be able to lower our overall energy consumption.

This article is brought to you by George Zalcman. George Zalcman has always had a passion for green technologies, and believes that we should all get on the boat before natural resources become limited. George Zalcman is part of an air to water technology hoping that this will eventually bring an end to the water crisis as well.