Energy
Almost everything we do uses energy. Nearly everything we own needed electricity to be created. We may not readily consider it but we rely on energy to keep our daily lives in check. Despite its major role in our day to day lives it's vital that we use our energy resources efficiently as there are negative environmental impacts associated with electricity generation. Currently 90% of energy generated in New South Wales comes from coal-fired power stations. The coal that is burnt to create this energy is millions of years old, is a non-renewable resource and emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as it burns.
It is anticipated that energy costs will increase in the future and this alone is a good incentive to start using less energy and start saving money. As a bonus, you will be reducing your carbon footprint as well.
Here are some tips to have you be more energy efficient:
- Turn off lights when they are not use
- Switch off appliances at the wall
- Only heat or cool the rooms you use
- In winter keep the heat in or in summer the heat out by closing your curtains
- Draught proof your house by sealing gaps
- When you next purchase an appliance check the energy rating of the available products
It's important that we continue to research the use of alternative energy sources and purchase cleaner energy where possible. Alternative's to the traditional coal-fired power plant consider the use of renewable resources to create energy which means these resources will never run out including solar (sun), wind, tidal, wave, geo-thermal and biomass. The City of Wagga Wagga purchases 100% green energy to power the Civic Centre on Baylis Street. This green power is sourced from wind farms in South Australia.
