CarbonFeet

Global warming is one of the “hottest” issues nowadays. The current climate change is the worst yet to happen. Global warming is an overall increase in world temperature which is attributed to the increasing number of greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere. Searching an alternative energy source is considered a way of reducing the toxic emissions.

Greenhouse gases can be produced both by natural and industrial processes. The most abundant greenhouse gases on earth’s atmosphere are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and CFCs.

There are several sources of greenhouse gases. Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation lead to higher concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Without the trees and plants to take in the carbon dioxide emitted by burning fossil fuels, natural gas and petroleum products, all of the CO2 emitted stays in the atmosphere.

Also the use of CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons in refrigeration systems and in fire suppression systems and other manufacturing processes also increase the greenhouse content of our atmosphere. While the use of non-organic fertilizers in agriculture also lead to higher nitrous oxide concentrations, another greenhouse gas.

In the United States, greenhouse gas emissions mainly come from the use of fossil fuels as energy source. Approximately 82 percent of the greenhouse gas emission in the United States in 2006 came from the combustion of coal, natural gas and petroleum (United States Energy Information Administration). Meanwhile in Asia, Chine is expected to increase its emission of greenhouse gas because of the construction of old-fashioned power plants in its internal provinces. Currently, the carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere are the highest in 150,000 years. The 1990s was most likely the warmest decade in history, while 1998 was the warmest year (Greenpeace).

Not controlling the greenhouse gas being emitted by human activity can increase climate change the next hundred years that will be much faster than anything known and recorded in history. There are necessary steps to be undertaken to control the toxic emission that will soon be killing us.

To minimize the consumption of oil, petroleum and other fossil fuel, we should use energy efficiently. Energy that we use should be generated from renewable energy source, which would mean harnessing the natural energy from the sun, winds, crops, tides and waves.

Green energy is another term used to describe sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly, which is also similar to the renewable sources of energy.

There are numerous ways of generating electricity and energy from renewable and natural sources that generate clean and safe energy. Wind, sun, and heat can generate electricity for less price and less carbon emission than those of coal and even gas.

Shifting the world’s attention to alternative fuel source other than relying on fossil fuel is among the solutions in resolving the drastic climate change. Greenpeace cited that with renewable energy and using it smartly, can deliver half of the world’s energy needs by 2050. Greenpeace also cited that it is feasible to reduce carbon dioxide emission to almost 50 percent within the next 43 years.

Governments are taking steps to use and tap alternative energy sources as main source of energy. The European Union leaders made an agreement in March 2007 to ensure that 20 percent of their nation’s energy should come from renewable fuels by 2020. This is part of their effort to cut carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas. There are even governments offering incentives to their residents who are using green energy.

Alternative energy source may not be the only way to reduce the greenhouse emission that human activity produce. There are simple ways in which we can do to contribute in reducing toxic gas emission and mitigate global warming.

Conservation of our natural resources is also important to slow the trend of global warming. Saving your rainwater runoff can save on your water bill. Save your water and buy a tank at Rainwater Tanks South Australia or Water Tanks Victoria This article, Alternative Energy Source has free reprint rights.

“Conserving water won’t necessarily save you money!” Appearing on a local news website last autumn in northern California this headline highlights an interesting situation when water utility customers – after engaging in a successful conservation effort – received the surprising gift of an 8% water rate increase. An inside analysis of how utilities typically must manage costs provides insight into how successful conservation programs may result in an increase to customer’s water rates. For those in Water Rate Consulting, this is nothing new.

Significant rate increases after a successful conservation effort at first glance, doesn’t seem natural. Customers generally believe that cutting back on their water use should result in a reduced bill for water service. If user’s charges are calculated on a cost per gallon or cost per unit of service, this may be true – at least in the short term. Using less water usually does result in lower customer charges for water service.

Consumer believe that utilities should also see its costs reduced since fewer units, or in this case, gallons, are sold. In the case of an effective conservation program where consumers reduce consumption, the theory holds that the provider should also see its costs reduced as well. And all should be equitable.

Upon closer examination of the provider’s cost structure, the argument falls apart. A great deal of the utility costs are “fixed” in nature, meaning that costs do not rise or fall in proportion according to the amount of water delivered or sold. These fixed costs include ongoing service expenses for maintenance, debt service and of course, operating payroll. These costs will be incurred at roughly the same level whether the utility sells multiple millions of gallons per month or a much lower amount. If customers consumer fewer gallons of water, it won’t significantly change the provider’s cost obligations.

Water utilities earn revenue based on the amount of water used or delivered. Revenue to the utility then is a simple function of price times cost per unit (gallons) of service. Users conserving water can trim their charges for service, but these reductions only lower the revenue enjoyed by the provider. And because utilities have significant expense obligations that are not tied to level of customer consumption, these utilities can find themselves struggling to meet existing and ongoing costs. Conservation programs then reduce – sometimes considerably – the revenue needed to continue delivering water service.

Water consumers may enjoy a lower bill for service by cutting back on usage, but the water provider sees its revenue reduced. Because of the provider’s cost structure, the provider cannot remain financially viable in the long term should its expenses be greater than total revenue.

Can this problem be solved? Part of the solution may be to understand the tradeoffs between conservation and provider income prior to undertaking a conservation program. It may be possible to structure rates in advance to assist the utility in covering some unexpected losses.

Rates can be designed in advance to help offset some of the expected losses, thus stabilizing rates to some degree. Experienced water rate consultants can help design these kinds of rates in advance, and that’s a much better plan than waiting to see what happens after the fact.

Author Jason Mumm is a highly respected among Utility Consultants and specializes in water and wastewater utility services. With extensive experience providing finanical and operational counsel to water service providers, Jason assists clients attain financial success while managing consumer rates. Unique version for reprint here: Is Water Conservation Cost Effective?.

Making your home greener has many benefits. The most obvious of these benefits is financial. By making changes, you will see a smaller utility bill each month. Never has it been so easy to add wind or solar power to a house, replacing part of the power consumed with clean energy. These are some of the benefits of using renewable energy for your home.

Most families use more energy than they think. The average living space for most people is powered using nonrenewable sources, like coal or oil. These fossil fuels are the dirtiest, creating pollution from extraction to consumption. The technology for clean coal is currently in development and oil refining is primarily unchanged. Switching over to renewable energy now makes it possible to stop the dependency on fossil fuels.

The benefits of renewable energy can be found simply by understanding their name. These sources are used numerous times and are replaced. They do not contribute to climate change. No polluting emissions are created in the process. Furthermore, the price is quite reasonable when the short and long term investment is seen.

Purchasing renewable energy alternatives can be quite expensive, but it has never been easier to get these systems. Many states, and the federal government, offer tax credits or tax rebates for homes which have added green technologies. Contact a government representative for more information.

There are many simple things to do to be more green. In the winter, turn the thermostat down and put on another sweater. Make sure the lights have all been turned out, especially if no one is in the room. Replace old bulbs with LED or fluorescent bulbs to reduce the costs of your utilities.

It is also possible to take greater steps to increasing your green energy output. Consider undertaking a green energy DIY project. Anyone can learn to build a solar panel or a wind turbine, which create clean power. Doing the project yourself will save a lot of money and will reduce your cost for utilities. Information on how to complete one of these DIY projects can be found online, in specialty magazines or books, and at home improvement stores.

The benefits of using renewable energy for your home are many. Of course, there are the financial benefits from saving money on utilities and the tax rebates or credits. There is also the feel good implication that you have helped to save the world from a changing climate. If these benefits are not enough, consider the impact you are making through educating your family, friends, and community. Yes, you may help to save the world and that is certainly the greatest benefit of all.

It’s time to start your solar panel project! Get the full video tutorials through the Green DIY Energy Review. Get rid of your electricity bills with the Green DIY Energy guide.