Energy Conservation Jessica Goode Axia College of University of Phoenix We all use energy each and every day. We use energy for entertainment, cooking, transportation, lighting, heating, cooling, manufacturing, as well as many other things. According to the Webster Dictionary (2009), energy is defined as just being active. If that is truly the case, then anytime we are doing anything we are being active and using up energy.

Shouldn't we try to conserve more energy if that is the case?According to the Business Dictionary (2007), energy conservation is the reduction in the consumption of natural resources by any individual, society, organization, or the economy as a whole. It is the elimination of waste being put back into the Earth and using our resources rationally. There are many ways that we can help to conserve energy thus helping the environment and helping ourselves at the same time. There are two types of energy resources: renewable resources and non-renewable resources. A renewable energy source is one that can never be exhausted; it is constantly replenished (California Energy Commission, 2006).Renewable energy sources consist of solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass energy sources.

Solar energy comes from the sun, wind energy comes from wind turbines, hydropower energy comes from water, geothermal energy is energy created from heat inside the Earth, and biomass energy is energy created from firewood, animal manure, crop residues and waste (Department of Environmental Protection, 2009). A non-renewable source is one that can not be replenished in a short period of time (California Energy Commission, 2006). Non-renewable sources are also known as fossil fuels.These fossil fuels are "thought to have been formed from the buried remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago" (Department of Environmental Protection, 2009).

Fossil fuels consist of oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy. According to the Energy Conservation (1997), 71. 5 percent of the world's electricity is generated from non-renewable resources. There are also certain living and non-living factors that contribute to and are affected by energy conservation. The living factors that contribute to and are affected by energy conservation are plants, animals (herbivores, carnivores, and mnivores), and humans. Humans are the main factor contributing to and being affected by energy consumption.

Humans are dependant upon fossil fuels for heat and electricity. The food chain is also very apparent and directly related. As we run out of our fossil fuels, we extend to other places to try to find them. By doing this, we are making many plants and animals become closer and closer to extinction. These plants, animals all depend upon one another.

The non-living factors that contribute to and are affected by the energy conservation are precipitation, temperature, sunlight, soil, and water.These all can play both roles in energy consumption; contributing and being affected. The water and the sunlight are directly linked with contribution; they can also be contributors to energy production as renewable resources. Humans also have huge impacts, both positively and negatively, on the conservation of energy.

The positive impacts that humans have on the conservation of energy is that we are trying to come up with ways to conserve energy for our future generations; we are coming up with sustainability plans. We are also developing improved items for our ways of life that are also safe for the environment and energy efficient.An example of these items would be the Energy Star light bulbs, washers, and dryers. The negative impacts that humans have on the conservation of energy is that many humans are not aware of exactly how much energy they are using and how it affects the environment and their way of life. The average human uses 50 percent of their energy consumption on air and heat, 20 percent on their water heater, 10 percent on their lights and other small appliances, 8 percent on their refrigerator, 5 percent on other miscellaneous items, 4 percent on their ovens and stoves, and 3 percent on their clothes dryers (Energy Conservation, 1997).

A lot of this consumption could be decreased if humans were more aware of the dangers they were creating for the environment and their future generations. There are many sustainability strategies and solutions already in place. The most known about plan in place is the Solar Tax Credit. On October, 4, 2008, Congress passed an 18 billion dollar bill that provides those individuals that take the responsibility and costs upon themselves to utilize the renewable energy sources available (Yang, 2008). Climate change and green buildings legislation are expected to be high on the agenda of the 111th Congress and the new administration" (2009 legislative outlook, 2009).

There are also several other plans in place such as the Energy Star Heating and Cooling Program. This program is a voluntary program in which manufacturers agree to manufacture and market high efficiency heating, cooling, and control products to help lower energy usage (Green Communities, 2008). Although there have been many sustainable and strategic solutions developed to conserve energy, many have been unsuccessful.The reason that these plans have been so unsuccessful is because they have a limited time frame, the awareness of the public is not there and mainly because of the current economic crisis. My plan to reach sustainability is simple and should take no longer than two year's time to complete.

For the first three months, I propose that research will be made through reviewing past energy plans, talking to those who created those plans, searching the web, and talking to environmentalists. For the next six months to one year, budgeting needs to be made.We will create a budget by requesting donations from the public, local churches and charities, and the government. After we have created a budget, we will need to develop programs to educate people on conserving energy. These programs will consist of training, school courses, hot lines, and web sites for anyone who has questions.

I propose that developing these programs will take about three months. The last part of my plan will be ongoing. It will be to educate everyone. We will educate through schools, media, neighborhoods, organizations, and the workplace.The benefits from my plan are that hopefully more people will begin to realize what a using non-renewable energy resource does to our environment. Hopefully more people will begin to see the benefits of being energy safe and will switch over to the more energy efficient products.

The challenges from my plan are retaining enough funds to develop the programs and educate everyone about being energy efficient. Another challenge in getting everyone to change their current ways when it comes to consuming energy; getting enough people to care. "If energy use is not visible and measured, then here will be no improvement" (Robin Kent, 2009). The support needed by the government and society is contributing the funds to the research and developmental programs needed. We also need support and cooperation when it comes to getting people to switch over to energy star products and being more consciousness about their energy usage.

As far as global support goes, everyone around the globe needs to be educated and more consciousness when it comes to consuming and conserving energy. When it comes to conserving energy, everyone needs to be aware of what exactly we are doing to our environment.

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