Nowadays, it seems you can’t go through a day without hearing phrases like “clean energy,” “renewables,” “carbon offsets,” “zero emissions,” and “carbon footprint” — and for good reason. Climate change is real; it can lead to a variety of disastrous consequences from global temperatures and sea levels rising to ocean acidification and extreme weather events. As such, making some personal lifestyle changes (and corporate changes) is essential.
In this guide, you’ll learn about clean energy and some ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. You’ll also discover how your choice of energy provider can make a difference in the fight to save the planet.
What Is Clean Energy?
Clean energy includes natural gas and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower.
Many people think clean energy means renewable energy, but the two terms aren’t exactly interchangeable. For instance, while natural gas is considered relatively clean energy (compared to oil or coal-fired energy production), it’s not renewable. Like all fossil fuels, once natural gas is consumed, it’s gone forever.
Renewable energy comes from continually replenishing sources. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy are good examples. Even though availability may be seasonal — for example, harnessing more solar energy during summertime or perhaps more wind energy during spring — these resources can continually replenish.
From sun and wind, water and waves, and even biofuels obtained from our waste, we have ever-more cost-effective ways to produce energy. In fact, renewable energy makes up an eighth of our power generation in the United States.
How Does Energy Efficiency Affect Your Impact On the Planet?
Your is the total greenhouse gas emissions you generate through your daily activities. For example, the average person in the United States produces 16 tons (14.52 metric tons) of greenhouse gases. That’s around the global average.
Some of the ways you affect greenhouse gas emissions include:
- The kind of vehicle you drive. Do you drive a gas-guzzling SUV or truck or have you opted for a hybrid or electric vehicle? Perhaps you leave your vehicle in the garage and take public transportation to and from work, reserving your car for weekend getaways or special trips. Fossil fuels such as coal and oil account for up to 80% of all the energy we consume, and they produce carbon dioxide, which contributes to our greenhouse gas emissions.
- The food you eat. While it may seem strange to think about our eating habits as a contributing factor to our carbon footprint, the reality is that they do. Meat, in particular, is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions because of the carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide emitted into the atmosphere by cows. In fact, eating meat, dairy and large fish impacts our planet even more than how we get around (trains, planes, or automobiles) or industrial plants.
- The energy company you buy from. In a deregulated market like Texas, you have the power to choose your energy provider. There are many to choose from, with just as many offerings. Not all are created equal, though. Going with a sustainable energy provider like Just Energy gives you a chance to do your part in saving our planet by choosing to add a green energy product to your electric or natural gas plan. When you do, a bit of your bill will be used by Just Energy to buy renewable energy credits or carbon offsets.
- Your personal habits. Long, hot baths or short, efficient showers? Do you use the dishwasher or wash dishes by hand? (The more efficient method might surprise you!) How about the way you dry your laundry? There are few things fresher —or more energy-efficient — than clean sheets just off the clothesline, dried by the wind and sun. Now, no one is suggesting that you should forgo all the creature comforts and conveniences in life. After all, the occasional bubble bath can be sublime. But attention to energy conservation with your everyday habits can go a very long way toward helping the planet.
Can Switching to Just Energy Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?
In a word, yes. Just Energy has been doing its part in numerous ways to help consumers reduce their carbon footprint. When you’re in a deregulated market like Texas, you can choose your energy provider. It’s true that Just Energy is simply one option in a land of many electricity companies, but not all companies are created equal.
Here are just some of the ways Just Energy can help you be more energy efficient:
- A variety of green and clean energy products for both residential and commercial customers to offset carbon impact
- Your patronage allows the company to purchase renewable energy credits
- The company supports renewable energy projects, as well as emission reduction projects throughout North America (U.S. and Canada)
- You can learn about conservation and sustainability with free information and sustainability tips online
- Affordable, transparent energy plans available to the public
What Clean Energy Solutions Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?
source
There are many things you can do to reduce your energy consumption. In turn, saving energy reduces your carbon footprint and contributes to a reduction in global warming and climate change. Here are some easy ways to make that happen:
- Invest in clean solar power by installing solar panels. Or opt in for green energy products when you choose your energy plan. Some energy providers like Just Energy offer the option to have a portion of your power produced by clean and renewable energy sources.
- Cook less often by eating more raw, fresh vegetables and fruits. Go for salads and smoothies. Also, opt for small appliances when possible like a crockpot, toaster oven, rice cooker, or an energy-saving countertop cooking appliance like the Brava. These appliances use less energy. Look for Energy Star-certified appliances for more ideas.
- Let go of your old desktop computer and switch to an energy-efficient laptop. Ditto with that huge LCD television you inherited from your parents. It might be time to recycle that and go in for a flatscreen LED TV. Check out Energy Star–approved electronics before you buy.
- Invest in carbon offsets. When you voluntarily invest in carbon offsets by going with a green energy program, such as those offered by Just Energy, you’re contributing to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Change the way you do laundry. Wash your linens and clothes in cold water and reduce laundry days (and washes) by doing bigger loads at a time. Also, if you’re using your dryer, save energy by tossing in a dry towel with your laundry — surprisingly, this one little addition can significantly reduce your drying time. Better yet, dry your laundry mostly on the line and then use the dryer for just 10 or 15 minutes to “top it off” and make it softer.
How Many Kinds of Clean Energy Are There?
There are six types of clean energy production that are the most popular: hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, wind, natural gas, and biomass.
Biomass and natural gas energy production are not the cleanest resources for energy production as both release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere through burning. However, compared to fossil fuels such as coal and oil, they are cleaner alternatives.