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| Energy Awareness in Ireland |
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Renewable energy - environmental benefits
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Renewable energy technologies are a lot friendlier to the environment than conventional energy technologies, which rely on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels contribute significantly to many of the environmental problems we face today— greenhouse gases, air pollution, water and soil contamination— while renewable energy sources contribute very little or not at all.
Greenhouse gases— carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons— surround the Earth's atmosphere like a clear thermal blanket, allowing the sun's warming rays in and trapping the heat close to the Earth's surface. This natural greenhouse effect keeps the Earth's average surface temperature at about 3°C. But the increased use of fossil fuels has significantly increased greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, creating an enhanced greenhouse effect known as global warming. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), carbon dioxide is responsible for one-half to two-thirds of our contribution to global warming. Renewable energy technologies, however, can produce heat and electricity with a very low or no amount of carbon dioxide emissions.
Energy use from fossil fuels is also a primary source of air, water, and soil pollution. Pollutants— such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and lead— take a dramatic toll on our environment. On the other hand, most renewable energy technologies produce little or no pollution.
Both pollution and global warming pose major health risks to humans. According to the International Lung Association, air pollution contributes to lung disease – including asthma, lung cancer, and respiratory tract infections – Meanwhile, the long-term effects associated with global warming may be even more devastating. Deaths due to extreme weather could increase, and diseases could have a greater potential to thrive as temperatures rise. Ultimately, renewable energy technologies could help us break our conventional pattern of energy use to improve the quality of our environment.
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Why is energy efficiency important?
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Energy efficiency means using less energy to accomplish the same task.
The more efficient use of energy throughout our country results in less money spent on energy by homeowners, schools, government agencies, businesses, and industries. The money that would have been spent on energy can instead be spent on consumer goods, education, services, and products.
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To get further advice about
this topic or talk to an expert please click here
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What does clean energy have to do with me?
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As a homeowner
By using renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies in your home and automobile, you'll help the environment and typically save more money in the long run.
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As a small business owner
You can reduce your utility bills and impact on the environment by using renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies. There are also small business opportunities in clean energy. |
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As a student or teacher
You can benefit from learning about renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, and how they can help our environment and replace fossil fuels, which are being depleted. |
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As an electricity provider
There are many renewable energy technologies available for electricity production, as well ways you and your customers can save money through energy efficiency. |
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As a farmer
Not only can you save money using energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies, but there are also agribusiness opportunities in renewable energy
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Check out how much you could save with a SystemLink HeatpumpFinancial Savings
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