Courtesy : alcse.org
Sustainability: According to the United Nations (the UN’s Brundtland Commission popularized the term in 1987), sustainability is defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” True sustainability is when everyone, everywhere can meet their basic needs forever.
What is Sustainable Energy?
Using the above definition for sustainability, sustainable energy is energy that meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable energy is about finding clean, renewable sources of energy—sources that renew themselves, rather than sources that can be depleted.
Sustainable energy is energy that we will never use up or deplete. It is inexhaustible.
Several forms of energy can be considered sustainable. In addition to the most commonly considered sources—wind, solar, and water—there’s also bioenergy and geothermal energy. Bioenergy is the process of creating energy from biological masses such as straw, manure and other agricultural byproducts. Geothermal energy is energy from Earth’s internal energy sources, like geysers.
Energy sustainability can also be achieved through improved energy conservation and efficiency.
Sure, the sources of energy most commonly used may meet our current needs, but at the rate we’re using our current sources, like coal and natural gas, we’ll burn through them (no pun intended), leaving none behind for our children. Future generations will then be forced to do what we could already be doing—finding new ways to generate energy.
Sustainable energy is not only naturally replenished, but it causes no harm to the environment, as there are no greenhouse gasses or other pollutants emitted.
America has never been about standing still and resting on our laurels. Just because something works does not automatically mean it cannot be improved. Why should energy be any different? Why should we stand around and wait until a change is the only option? We can make changes today that make lives better for our current generation, creating new jobs while providing clean energy, and also improving the lives of future generations.
Sustainable energy sources are the best sources of energy for our homes and businesses, because they are not only renewable but are also frequently developed closer to the end-user than are traditional power plants.
Many are already making the move to solar, wind, and other sources of sustainable energy. You can, too, and the price is much lower than you might think. The price for sustainable-energy sources has decreased dramatically in the last decade, making them more affordable than ever. In many areas, including much of Alabama, an investment will pay off in just a few short years.
We at Energy Alabama believe that we should not put off until tomorrow what we can change today. Sustainable energy should be encouraged, and we are doing everything we can to educate our community and encourage businesses and residents to make changes towards sustainable energy. We highly encourage you to consider what you can do to make the change to sustainable energy as well. If you aren’t sure what you can do, feel free to contact us and we’ll be glad to help. That’s why we’re here.
There will always be sunlight, wind, and rain; therefore, these make for the best sources of energy. Will you join us in moving Alabama, and the United States, towards sustainable energy?