Why Sustainable Energy Is Important

Have you ever flipped on your light switch and wondered where that power came from? Or, maybe you’ve taken a bath and begun to question where the water starts. Also, where does it go after you’re done?

For hundreds of years, our world has used materials unsafe for the environment to bring us energy. Recently, our planet has started to become sicker.

So, what’s our best option?

Sustainable energy.

Let’s uncover what this means, so you start making a difference right at home.

What Is The Definition Of Sustainable Energy?

Sustainable energy is a resource found in nature, that we can use over, and over again. Something is sustainable when there is no risk of it ever running out.

Most of the world uses fossil fuels for energy. Fossil fuels are not sustainable and once we burn them, they are gone forever.

Sustainable energy is different. Sustainable energy gives us things like electricity and heat. These sources naturally “refill” themselves so we never have to worry about using them all up.

What Is Sustainable Energy?

Think about the definition we just learned. What exactly is sustainable energy?

Well, it’s called sustainable energy because it can sustain our needs. So, it gives us the energy we need without hurting the environment.

The main point of using a sustainable energy source is to provide clean power. This clean power helps people today. It also keeps the earth safe for people in the future.

Sources Of Sustainable Energy

There are 5 major forms of sustainable energy:

Wind Energy: Using wind to give us power and electricity.
Solar Energy: Light from the sun makes energy, electricity, and hot water for homes and buildings.
Hydropower: Running water makes electricity and powers machines.
Geothermal Energy: Heat from deep inside the earth makes power to heat buildings, give electricity, and make warm water.
Biomass Energy: Burning plants, and other plant-based materials make power and electricity.

Forms Of Sustainable Energy

Each different form of sustainable energy gives us heat, power, and electricity. The best part is this energy won’t run out! (Research from: https://www.edfenergy.com/)

Wind Energy

The motion, speed, and power of the air make sustainable wind energy.
Wind turbines are the most common form of wind energy.
Wind turbines are enormous structures typically found in open areas with lots of wind.
They are over 200 feet tall with almost 100-foot blades – massive!
Their blades spin as the wind blows, turning the wind’s energy into electricity.
Wind energy gives us electricity, pumps our water, and powers ships.

Solar Energy

Light and heat from the sun give us solar energy. Solar energy is one of the most sustainable types of energy. Solar panels absorb the sun’s rays and make electricity.
Sunshine makes energy that we use in different ways.
Sunlight can heat many things, such as your home, water, greenhouses, and swimming pools. Solar energy can also make power for electronics.

Hydropower

The use of falling or fast running water is one of the oldest types of energy. Over 2,000 years ago ancient Greeks used running water to power their grain mills!
Falling or fast running water is full of energy. When we use the force of water to give us electricity we make hydropower.
A hydropower facility makes hydropower. Hydropower plants often are near a body of water and use a dam to make a water flow.
Water flows down through a pipe and turns the blades on an underwater turbine. This makes energy that turns into electricity.

Geothermal Energy

The heat found inside of the earth makes power and energy.
Steam is found miles below the Earth’s surface. Geothermal power plants use that steam to make electricity.
The steam comes from hot water found under the ground. When this steam touches an underground turbine, the turbine begins to spin. When underground turbines begin to spin, power is made.
Geothermal energy is mainly used for heating and electricity.

Biomass Energy

This energy is made from living things like plants and animals. This form of energy has been around since the days of cavemen.
Burning plant-based materials such as wood, plants, and crops, make electricity.
The most common way to make biomass energy is by burning these plant-based materials in a boiler. Burning them in a boiler causes steam to rise and turn the blades of a turbine. The movement of the turbine blades makes energy and power.
Space heating, hot water heating, cooking, and electricity are the most common ways to use biomass energy.

Advantages Of Sustainable Energy

There are many ways we benefit from using sustainable energy.

Sustainable energy will never run out
Sustainable energy saves money
Sustainable energy helps heal and protect our planet
Sustainable energy provides new jobs
Sustainable energy makes a healthier population

Sustainable energy is free, reliable, and safe for the Earth.

Why Should We Use Less Energy?

Saving energy is good for you. It is also good for the city you live in, the water you drink, and the air you breathe. But why?

Our planet still uses fossil fuels for energy. Fossil fuels make pollution as they burn. This releases fumes into our air. Air pollution can cause sore throats, and coughs, and can even damage our lungs.

When we use less energy we reduce the number of fossil fuels needed.

When we reduce air pollution by saving energy, we give the people on earth clean air to breathe. Finally, we create a healthier world.

How Does Sustainable Energy Help The Environment?

Sustainable energy helps heal our sick planet. When we choose sustainable energy over burning fossil fuels, the damage to our environment shrinks.

Sustainable Energy Cuts Down On Greenhouse Gases

Fossil fuels make a large amount of gas. These gases hurt our planet by creating toxic fumes. The energy from sustainable sources doesn’t make these harmful gases. This protects our planet from the scary effects of climate change.

Sustainable Energy Reduces Our Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint may sound like a funny word, but your carbon footprint is simply how much a person or company is hurting the environment. As you can guess, fossil fuels make a large carbon footprint.

Everyday decisions can increase, or decrease your carbon footprint. By choosing sustainable energy sources we reduce the need for fossil fuels. Then, we can shrink our carbon footprint.

Sustainable Energy Protects Our Water

Water is the ultimate power source for our planet. It’s important we do our best to save water in order to keep humans, plants, and animals healthy.

Non-sustainable energy sources use a lot of water to make power. After that, the leftover water often is full of toxins that leak and make their way into our water systems.

Sustainable energy is clean energy. When we use energy from the sun, the wind, or plants, there is no risk of toxic water.

Careers In Sustainable Energy

Thankfully, our world is beginning to see the benefits of sustainable energy. Now, new careers in sustainable energy are popping up every day.

Careers in sustainable energy can range from thinking up new ways to save energy, to studying sea turtles, to climbing all the way up those tall wind turbines!

Some of the best careers in sustainable energy are:

Building and fixing wind turbines
Developing clean energy solutions for companies
Delivering sustainable energy products
Sustainable energy farming
Building and installing solar panels
Water power plant engineer
Creating new ways to clean and protect our oceans
Researching and studying the effects of sustainable energy on ocean life

As the world learns more about renewable energy and how to use it, new, exciting jobs will be made along the way.

The Future Of Sustainable Energy

Eventually, fossil fuels will run out. This is why the future of sustainable energy is so important.

Our planet is in trouble and it can’t handle all the harmful pollution for much longer.

Don’t let this scare you. There are thousands of scientists on the front lines ready to help find sustainable energy sources.

For example, solar panels are dropping in price. Now, many more families can buy them. In fact, energy experts say 4 million new solar panels are going up in the next few years. This is great news!

With more and more of the world needing clean energy sources, exciting breakthroughs are happening every day.

Australia was recently awarded for its underwater turbines. These turbines get power from waves. Another example includes the number of electric cars now on the road. These cars make less toxic fumes. Overall, fewer fumes make our air cleaner.

Also, solar panels that work even in the dark of night are being made! Finally, some scientists are even toying with the idea of using energy from volcanoes!

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, sustainable energy is the future. When we turn to resources in nature, we never have to worry about running out.

When we use energy from the wind, the sun, plants, geothermal heat, and running water, we are creating a healthier planet.

Small steps like turning off the lights, or your tv when they aren’t in use, can help save energy. Taking shorter showers, or turning off the sink while brushing your teeth are other personal ways you can help lessen your impact on the environment.

We only have one planet, and we all need to do our part to protect it.