What is energy? Any source of usable power, as fossil fuel, electricity, or solar radiation.  Usable power (as heat or electricity); also : the resources for producing such power.

The illusive assumption that energy is unlimited and that we will never run out is as far from the truth as you can possibly be.  Where does over 85% of the energy production in the world come from?  It comes from fossil fuels.  These fossil fuels are non-renewable resources that are currently running out from our increased energy needs.  Why do we use fossil fuels when there are renewable energy sources available to us today? Cost.  It is much cheaper to burn fossil fuels for energy than it is to use renewable energy sources from our sheer demand for energy.  If we would simply reduce our energy consumption it would be increasingly viable for renewable energy to be more cost effective, thus reducing our need for fossil fuels as an energy source.

As a culture, and even world, we are so dependent on these fossil fuels which are not only terrible for the environment, but our health and future.  What is the truth with burning fossil fuels?  The combustion of these fossil fuels produces air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals.  These are harmful to our health and well being from their toxic nature to our human bodies.  The combustion of fossil fuels also generates sulfuric, carbonic, and nitric acids, which fall to Earth as acid rain impacting both the natural and built environment.  If we could reduce our energy use, we would be able to rely more on renewable resources of energy that are not only cleaner for the environment and our health, but are also never ending sources of energy for the future.

These are real issues that affect us not only today, but in the very near future. “Going Green” is not a fad or something to be taken lightly.  Greening our lives will help with sustainability for our planet and future generations.  One of the easiest and most readily available options for going green today is reducing your use of energy in your everyday lives.  Hopefully now you know that this affects far more than you previously thought or understood.  Do your part in going green and saving the environment for a better and more positive future.

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