The earth and climate change

Global warming has become one of the biggest problems mankind has to face today. How many premature deaths will we allow to occur from global warming? We must transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy as quickly as possible. Climate scientists have warned for many years about the serious consequences from fossil fuel dependence. Scientists are asking people to examine their energy usage because of alarming climate change trends.  Renewable and sustainable energy resources help lower our ecological footprint. Combined with reduced energy usage, pollution becomes decreased significantly. Many actions we take every day can be measured by their carbon footprint. Homes, automobiles, and possessions all contribute to this impact by using energy, most of which is produced by burning fossil fuels.

What Is a carbon footprint?

As a planet, we no longer have the luxury of ignoring environmental issues. We must learn which activities pollute and how to become a more environmentally aware customer. A carbon footprint is a measurement of the number of greenhouse gases produced by the activities in your daily life. The principal source of greenhouse gas is burning fossil fuels. That includes the gasoline in your car and the coal burned at your local power plant. Scientists long ago understood that humans are producing more greenhouse gases than ever before in human history. These gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing the planet to warm up and changing our overall climate. Your carbon footprint measures the amount of potential impact your daily life has on the environment. By reducing the number of greenhouse gases produced by your lifestyle, you can lessen your footprint and help slow climate change on Earth.

What Are Sustainable Resources?

The earth provides several sustainable sources of power. Accessing that energy can be problematic. Solar energy is the most common sustainable source of energy. These resources can be used indefinitely without ever running out. For instance, wood can be used to build structures or burned for fuel, and trees can be replanted to replenish the supply of wood. Sunlight does not need to be replaced --- as long as the sun shines, we can make use of solar energy. Solar, wind, water and geothermal energy do not emit any greenhouse gases and provide steady sources of energy, which make them vital to reduce greenhouse emissions.  Materials such as wood or ethanol are sustainable resources as well, however they emit greenhouse gases when burned.

How to Use Renewables

Most of our daily activities depend on electricity, and most of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Most power plants create electricity by burning coal or natural gas. Switching to renewable energy can be a challenge for some consumers, but it is more possible than ever before due to the declining cost of solar panels. Contact your utility company to ask about buying green power. Many utilities can sell energy produced using sustainable methods, including solar and wind energy, through your existing power lines.  When planning to buy or build a new home, consider one built with sustainable materials including recycled wood or other "green" materials. Decking, floors and even insulation can be manufactured from recycled wood and plastics. Some new homes include solar panels for lighting, heat, and cooling.

Now is a terrific time to join the solar revolution! Every home or business that installs a solar energy system is doing their part to curb climate change. The benefits don't end there. The financial advantages of installing a solar energy system make it a compelling reason to make the switch.

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles

HahaSmart Blog - More Solar Tips and Guide
HahaSmart News - Stay Informed
Your Solar Incentives - See Credits and Incentives in Your Area
Check Your Home's Solar Price - See How Much You Save
Register Now - Unlock The Lowest Solar Prices in Your Area