Green, renewable energy has become a catch phrase in our culture, and as a result, everyone and their brother want to make a claim to doing or making it. While it’s great that being ‘green’ and using renewable energy has become a popular trend, there are several instances where people are trying to hop on the green-bandwagon who are not really engaging in green, renewable energy practices at all!
Unfortunately, this creates confusion and well-meaning people end up making poorly informed choices on matters of being green and using renewable energy. Here is a brief exposé about green energy to help clear up the confusion.
The Criteria for Green Renewable Energy –
In order for an energy source to be considered both ‘green’ and ‘renewable’ it must be derived from a continually-replenishing resource (i.e. sun, wind, magnetism, etc.) and must be harvested in an environmentally friend way.
These two criteria are not always synonymous. For instance, wind power is renewable, but a wind turbine that is built from rare metals, covered with toxic paint, powered by big electric generators and set in the middle of an endangered species’ habitat is not really green!
How Can I Use Green Renewable Energy? –
While the above is an extreme example, there is always a trade-off when choosing green, renewable energy sources. Nonetheless, there are several ways that you can use green, renewable energy in your own home that have a lessened environmental impact.
Start by looking for materials which you can adaptively reuse in your green energy projects. Choose items which are non-toxic and locally available. If you have to buy something new, and can’t find it locally, at least make sure that the materials were harvested sustainably. These are small choices, but they make a big difference in the long run!
Can I Make Green Renewable Energy Myself? –
There are several green, renewable energy projects which you can do from the comfort of your own home cheaply and easily. Building your own solar panels, wind turbines and magnetic generators are just three of many green, renewable energy projects you can do.
The take home point here is that you should always research the environmental impact of any ‘green’ choice before you try to implement it. A little legwork in advance will help to ensure that your renewable energy projects are as green as they possibly can be!
